UPS, Teamsters strike deal on freight workers contract

On Dec. 30, UPS raised rates for its ground, air and international services by an average 4.9 percent.

On Dec. 30, UPS raised rates for its ground, air and international services by an average 4.9 percent.

UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union struck a tentative agreement on a new five-year labor contract for freight workers.

The deal comes after an agreement reached last month on a much larger Teamsters-UPS contract covering roughly 260,000 workers, including drivers, package sorters and loaders, operations and dock workers.

The new agreement would cover about 11,000 freight workers at UPS. It is subject to a vote by union members, and if ratified would take effect Aug. 1.

UPS said the deal meets its goals of rewarding employees "while enabling the business to remain flexible to meet its customers' needs."

The Teamsters said local union leaders will meet to review the tentative agreement and approve it before sending it out for a vote.

Negotiations continue on supplemental and local agreements. The company said it has reached a handshake agreement covering employees in Southern and central regions and in Oregon/Idaho.