UPS vs FedEx: Labor law as a corporate weapon

Reader Comments

Jun 12, 2009

FedEx & UPS should play by the same rules (NLRA). How the companies started is no longer relevant -- they both do the same thing. FedEx started as Federal Express and was granted protection under the RLA as an airline. They chose to circumvent the RLA by buying up freight and ground companies and operating them under separate companies of FedEx Corp. What's the difference between that and UPS going into the overnight business with their air service? The next time a FedEx driver(s, you may have 1-3 per day) delivers you a package ask yourself this, "Is my driver "really" an airline employee?"

Jun 12, 2009

85% of FedEx's shipping is done by air while UPS ships 85% of it's packages on the ground. Your argument doesn't make any sense. It's like comparing United Airlines and Greyhound.

Jun 12, 2009

I'll agree with Charger on this one. The two companies are polar opposites on how they operate. Next time you ship UPS ask yourself this, "Do I 'really' want to pay the UPS and the Teamsters to deliver my package?" That's what this is really about. UPS is paying for the pensions of all the small shipping companies that went out of business via the Teamsters and they want FedEx to shoulder some of that. How many Teamsters official have gone to prison or been indicted?

Jun 12, 2009

Is Fed Ex doing air drop deliveries now? If memory serves me correct both companies deliver by air and ground therefore they should play by the same rules. The argument that Fed Ex delivers only by air is misleading. Until I'm proven wrong and start seeing Fed Ex aircraft making deliveries by air drop with small parachutes then I will change my position....

Jun 12, 2009

I'll believe that FedEx is just an airline when a 747 pulls up in my driveway.

Jun 12, 2009

My company uses both carriers and they offer simular services; Air, Ground, LTL, & International. Volume of Air to Ground should not be a factor since that can change over time. For example we use to do alot of overnight shipping but due to the economy we are shipping more items ground. they opperate the same and should be treated the same.

Jun 12, 2009

good article

Jun 12, 2009

I am happy to see an article on this that actually presents both sides equally. Great Job. As far as the issue. FedEx claims that they move 85% by air, but this is untrue. Also FedEx is a ground company by their own claim in their branding and website. FedEx Ground, FedEx Ground International, FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Freight are all ground divisions.

Jun 12, 2009

Once again there is much confusion. CSX operates under the RLA but I do not see a train delivering my packages so the argument that a plane dropping a package is insane. Also UPS handles all of the ground and air at the same facility were FedEx does not. They run completely seperate operations. UPS's air operation has segments that operate under the RLA.

Jun 12, 2009

This column is entirely incomplete. There are several operating companies under the FedEx brand name. Only one, FedEx Express, is currently subject to the RLA because it is an airline. Every single package that flows through the FedEx Express network is transported via airplane. All of the other operating companies including FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx Freight and FedEx Custom Critical are already subject to the NLRA... just as everybody else is. People who claim that both companies should be "playing on the same field" fail to take into consideration that they are actually on the same “playing field” now, only the brains behind FedEx were smart enough to maintain the airline as a completely separate operating company. This is simply a bailout proposal for UPS, no matter how you slice it. They’ve entered into a poor operating agreement that is finally catching up with them, and are desperately seeking governmental aid.

Jun 12, 2009

I just read a couple of interesting articles about the FedEx Ground expansion in Pa. It states FedEx Ground is a $2 Billion subsidiary of FedEx. Saw another article where they quoted Eric Truxal, a spokesman for FedEx Ground. For a company that claims to be air they sure throw Ground in there a lot.

Jun 12, 2009

Ummm, as to the comment about the 85% air/ground difference, does FedEx drop their packages from a plane with a parachute for the receiver to catch, or does a DRIVER BRING THEM IN A TRUCK?!!?

Jun 12, 2009

Express folks - all these shenanigans refer to FedEx Express ONLY! Express couriers only deliver Air Express packages, that's why they are PROPERLY classified under the RLA. The other operating companies under FedEx do not operate by air (excepting FedEx Custom Critical, which does do some movement by air, but mostly by truck). These are the reasons why FedEx is so up in arms over this. By the way...Throughout the 1990s, UPS tried to have their drivers reclassified from the NLRA to the RLA. Only after a decade of failure at that effort did UPS join the Teamsters in trying to reclassify FedEx Express. That is why UPS and the Teamsters are now putting so much time, money and effort into changing the RLA itself.

Jun 12, 2009

Anyone that thinks that FedEx flys express packages shipped from NJ, PA, CT,MA to NYC doesn't understand the shipping business.... all of these packages are moved via truck... they're not spending the money to move these packages to Memphis when most of these locations can be delivered on time without the expense of airplanes.

Jun 12, 2009

Yes, I can clearly see how criminal this is of UPS. I mean...the gall of them wanting a level playing field or employees wanting their right to unionize better protected. Ridiculous

Jun 12, 2009

A better way to level the playing field would be to boot the Teamsters out of UPS and not grow their ranks by unionizing FDX. This will allow the two companies to battle it out in terms of the benefits they provide to their customers instead of greasing crooked congressmen.

Jun 12, 2009

FedEx has a right to lobby against the bill but they WILL regret their public campaign of slander and lies. I would be embarrassed to work at FedEx and will do everything I can to steal their volume on my delivery route...

Jun 12, 2009

This article, just as all the other articles regarding this issue are entirely incomplete. In order for it to be correct, it would have to state that is a FEDEX EXPRESS issue, not FEDEX as a whole. Fedex EXPRESS SHIPS 85% OF IT'S FREIGHT VIA AIRPLANE, which is why it is classified as an AIRLINE. FedEx GROUND has NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE. Educate yourself before you leave stupid comments about them being "the same thing".

Jun 12, 2009

This article, just as all the other articles regarding this issue are entirely incomplete. In order for it to be correct, it would have to state that is a FEDEX EXPRESS issue, not FEDEX as a whole. Fedex EXPRESS SHIPS 85% OF IT'S FREIGHT VIA AIRPLANE, which is why it is classified as an AIRLINE. FedEx GROUND has NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS ISSUE. Educate yourself before you leave stupid comments about them being "the same thing".

Jun 12, 2009

"browncollarworker" If only there were more like you. In all my dealings with UPS I've never met a driver who was actually interested in the business of the company they work for.

Jun 12, 2009

"browncollarworker" If only there were more like you. In all my dealings with UPS I've never met a driver who was actually interested in the business of the company they work for.

Jun 12, 2009

It is INCORRECT to say all express pkgs come via air!That is FALSE!!We truck as much as possible!Cheaper!Does it make sense to fly when you can truck?Many of us at express would love to be able to unionize !!!

Jun 12, 2009

Both companies know what the near future will be like, as most corporate leaders do even if the media doesn't spin it in that direction. They need to keep the fear in check. However if you pay attention to the two shipping companies behavior they are both fighting to keep what market will remain after the fall out from the poor economy we haven't nearly felt yet. Internally Fedex is able to make wage and benefit adjustments to sustain what growth that remains and UPS cannot, prohibited by the unions. Therefore UPS and teamsters must go on the offensive, if you can't win by the rules then simply you must change the rules. I feel that's the big picture. Either way this will set a theme many other industries may end up following if it means staying in business or destroying your competitor. I would guess its a good time to be a congressman or women as millions of dollars are poured into great halls of D.C. in lobbing efforts this nation has never seen before.

Jun 14, 2009

Can't you readers see the forest through the trees? When all is said and done? Fact is old man Smith is trying to prevent the employees from unionizing and he knows what many of you don't know and that is those workers want to join a union especialy FED X FREIGHT.That is a fact every fed x freight driver I talked to except for one wants to join the Teamsters . They know that union benifits are superior to scab benifits also the managers and dispatchers are better pain and smarter than nonunion companys.

Jun 15, 2009

Do Fed-Ex drivers want to organize with the Teamsters? As a UPS driver(Teamster member)i make $29 dollars per hour with plenty of overtime, i have a pension plan that currently provides $5000 per month for life, and Teamsters healthcare plan (100% paid for by UPS) for my whole family which includes; medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability payments, and life insurance at no cost to us. I get 6 weeks paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, 5 sickdays, 3 personal days, tuition reimbursement, bereavement pay, jury duty pay, 401k, ups stock, yearly raises, respect, and job security. Now lets look at Fed-Ex; Pay cuts, the elimination of pension plans, healthcare costs rising yearly for workers, no yearly raises, no job security, and safety concerns daily. Fed-Ex workers, organize with the Teamsters, and get what you deserve.

Jun 15, 2009

this is for mr. charger:it is impossible for fedex express to fly all of their pkgs, thats a fact i bet 40% of their air volume never sees a plane.If u ship a pkg from baltimore to wash d.c. its going by truck not plane.The pkg will still be delivered by commit time.Whenever possible fedex will move an overnight pkg by tractor trailer rather by plane it's cheaper.

Jun 16, 2009

I want nothing to do with the teamsters or any union. they are the blame for the condition of our ecomomy. They bank rupt the companys. If you don't like the pay and benifits you are getting, leave and get a better job insted of taking what you think you should have. Better yet start your own buissness and unionize and see how long you last. I am proud to work for FEDEX EXPRESS. I will fight the teamsters and stupid union.

Jun 16, 2009

The person that call's their self fed x driver is either a manager or a right wing diddo head who's willing to take second or third place on the job . anybody that could make such an idiotioc comment deserves all the garbage the boss can through at them.It's not the unions fault that screwed the economy it's the cheap low paid labor, poor benifits and corprate greed that got us in this mess . How can you blame the unions when corprate america denies employees the right to join the union of their choice? Get real.Sounds like someone the boss can walk all over.

Jun 16, 2009

FedEx is the world's largest arline. Almost all of the Express packages are shipped via airplane. They only use the Express trucks to get them to your house. UPS is the opposite. They ship most of their shipments by ground and only a few by air. FedEx is correct and UPS is up to some stinky business.

Jun 16, 2009

The day my coworkers are fool enough to vote to unionize FedEx Express is the day I leave. I don't want a thing to do with the dirty money grubbing Teamsters. If you like whining for more than you deserve, go ruin another company, but leave mine alone.

Jun 16, 2009

Of coarse a majority of the Fed-Ex Express drivers want to organize, that is why their company is fighting tooth and nail to keep them the NLRA. If you are a Fed-Ex driver, look at the UPS truck next to you at many of your deliveries, the UPS driver is doing the exact same job for double the pay and benefits. After this bill is passed in the Senate, contact the Teamsters Local Union in your area or talk to a UPS driver to sign an authorization card. It is time for Fed-Ex drivers to stop Fed-Ex from taking away their pay and benefits. With a Teamster contract, everything is in writing, the company can no longer take back what you have earned. Go to fedexwatch.org for more info.

Jun 16, 2009

I can guarantee that Steve is a horsehead carrying teamster... By the way, how much money is missing out of the teamster pension fund?

Jun 16, 2009

Question to all: If a company stunk so bad that you had to seek 3rd party representation........Why would you want to work there in the first place???? If I didn't feel respected or fairly compensated, I would leave!!! I would definetely not go whining and throwing money around to an underminded organization that has more than $22 million missing from it's employee's pension fund!!

Jun 16, 2009

the only reason fedex is under the rla fred smith paid alot of money for it. In my rearches under the rla i found that emery worldwide airlines inc the nmb board stated while they were operating as an airline its employees fell under the rla, but the employees who worked in the processing ctr and sorted fell under the nlra.How can it be fedex express isnt covered under this.its because of fred smith throwing money to the government.

Jun 16, 2009

This comes down to nothing more than UPS wanting to have more union members to collect more dues for the pension funds. The two companies are worlds apart, as UPS is one entity and FedEx is segmented into different venues of the shipping they offer. Do I hear UPS having a tantrum about the competition?

Jun 16, 2009

hey booya for your info ups ships alot of air not a couple.Yes fedex still has the edge but ups is closing in on them in the air market.fedex has 49% and ups has 36%.Business owner u bringing up things in the past, yes there was bad things done by the union, but times r different.Since u brought that up, did you know fedex is the biggest drug transporter in the u.s., u will be surprised what i dug up.More to come

Jun 16, 2009

I kinda agree that if ya don't like a job or anything else leave . I am a retired teamster and after 44 years on the job all teamster I really do thank Jesus for having been in the union . The two hour per month that I paid in dues was well worth it. If Fred Smith is unhappy with the employees wanting to join the teamsters why don't he sell to some one that has the smarts and moxey to run a successsful union company such as U P S . Sound as if the old guy is under a lot of stress . for his sake maybe he should think about it.

Jun 17, 2009

lets see, how do packages are moved from US to ASIA, Europe, Africa? Is it Ground? I think it should be a fair competition.In the other hand Fedex does uses Ground to deliver packages as well. Then why cant they play by the same rules? or what about split UPS Airmovements as a separate entity and act like fedex? I dont think Teamsters will like that. Therefore it should be fair for both to play by the same rules.

Jun 17, 2009

Fedex has to be looked at. What they are charging there customers vs the training. It is mind boggling.

Jun 17, 2009

I am disgusted by the folks who do not get thier fact straight. FedEx EXPRESS is covered under the RLA...this has nothing to do with Ground, Freight etc. It is also disgusting to read the false information being provided by obvious UPSers. FedEx Express DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR YOUR PENSION OR ANY ONE ELSES.....FedEx Express could unionize right now, but the teamsters have failed. The bailout isn't just for UPS...it is for the TEAMSTERS.....how else can they pay for the upkeep of thier lifestyles and golf course....

Jun 17, 2009

70 percent of transportation workers under RLA are unionized, compared with only 7.5 percent of private-industry workers under NLRA. The real problem is that union membership is declining. This is why you see the unions scrambling to initiate card-check programs and ease the rules regarding unionization. They need members. FedEx employees have every right to unionize if they desire, but they all must choose it (RLA). It's much easier for the Teamsters to canvas one terminal (under the NLRA) than to convince everyone at FedEx Express that the union framework is better. Its all about the money, and I'm 'happy go lucky' at FedEx Express now.. If things were different, FedEx would already have a union. Please support the current structure, without the union bailout.

Jun 18, 2009

If you see the history, worldwide Unions have ruined the lives of innocent employees. When the organization is doing good, union management does good and partially the employees do good, but god forbid if due to some reason organization does bad, union management would benefit (hidden legal clause favouring the Union Management or unaccounted funds or mis appropriation etc.), the employees and their families suffer to the extent that the families are destroyed and wiped out due to dire circumstances. Its a shame that when such situations arise UNIONs dissapear and employees are on their own.... People please think, to whom should we dedicate our loyalty. May the truth, honesty, kindness, peace & prosoperity rule this world. Cheers!

Jun 18, 2009

ive ben a driver at fedex for 26 yrs, some of the coments from upsers have valid points , i mean who wouldnt want all those pay raises and bennys. but i guess the bottom line for me is fedex express isnt making the kind of money that UPS does and it could ill afford to pay these kind of wages without the posiblty of going out of business. i made the choice 26 yrs ago to go with fedex and im happy i did

Jun 18, 2009

TO Nuetral Visionary, your comments are absolutely lunacrist I just spent 44 years as a teamster and now retired and never once in all that time had any major problems with my local . We have some of the best medical, I have a great pention , hasn't destroyed any families in our union if fact it made life better . I just can't relate to some of the nonsense I read on these sites. May be you had a bad experience but there are some good unions still around . If you got a bad union offical vote him out next time .

Jun 18, 2009

@ R.E.STARR, Wish everyone in Unions are as satisfied & Lucky as you. Cheers!

Jun 18, 2009

UPS has just as many planes as Fed-Ex. All packages for both companies are delivered by package car drivers. The companies are conducting the exact same business. Fed-Ex will be fall under the National Labor Relations Act because the Senate will vote yes on this bill. And YES, the Teamsters will organize Fed-ex nationwide, facility by facility !!!!!! Call your Teamsters Local Union near you for more info, or go to fedexwatch.org

Jun 18, 2009

why don't they(the Gov) just eliminate all unions on grounds of national security, (seeing that unions have destroyed this country's competitive edge)and allow true competition.If you don't take care of your employees reasonably well then your business fails period - because another company will and they will have better employees who will work harder and more efficient. Competition will bring the best out of EVERYONE involved. who needs a union when you have fair competion. Let the worker get paid what the market dictates not what the union does. This will result in fair wages and benefits and an economy that can grow and compete worldwide. Assuming the Gov doesn't over tax the corporations- but that is whole other story.

Jun 19, 2009

IF FedexExpress employees are so well treated then why is fred Smith afraid of his employees voting union?They would certainly vote against a union "IF" they are treated as well as Fedex claims!!Having friends who work there I have heard all the horror stories of management abuse and the poor pay etc!Does everyone know that a Fedex Express driver gets paid less then a postal carrier?Thats a fact!So let the employees vote!!

Jun 19, 2009

booya not all of fedex overnight pks ride the airplane, whenever possible if fedex can get a pkg from one destination to another by truck and make comitt time they r going to do it by truck its cheaper.By the way gooya fedex has 49% of air market and ups 36% i believe ups delivers more than a few dont u think get your facts straight.

Jun 20, 2009

Mr. Taxpayer how can ups and fedex be so different?Fedex is trying to hide behind the so called corporate umbrella,fedex express,ground,freight,custom criical and so on, its fedex period.If fedex wants to offer all the sercvices ups does then they need to compete on the same page.Bryan001 u need to wake up and smell the coffee ups and the teamsters have a pretty good agreement look at their revenues if it was such a bad deal ups would be opreating in the red which they are not ups is a more of a efficient company than fedex period.Ex. fedex could save alot of money if they got rid of ac in their package cars which in itself is kind of ridiculous.All u people writing here seem to miss the point if fedex express is put under the nlra this does not mean they will unionize they have to vote the union in and if fedex treats their employees so well then there is nothing to worry about.

Jun 20, 2009

To Steve: do your homework...FedEx owns a much larger fleet of airplanes than UPS. FedEx owns 672 planes and UPS owns 282.

Jun 23, 2009

Fed-Ex stock is about $50 dollars per share, down almost 50%. It looks like all of the many lawsuits and bad press are hurting the dwindling company. The NLRB, 26 attorney generals, state and federal agencies; who else is investigating this upstanding citizen? Also, threatening congress and bashing UPS did not strengthen their position or drum up public sympathy. Stay tuned for the continued downward spiral of Fed-Ex!!!!!

Jun 23, 2009

Unions only protect employees who don't want to do their jobs. No matter if you are a good employee or a bad one, with a union, everyone get the same raise. Plus all the money UPS is paying the teamsters for your retirement is gone if you don't put in your 10 years. I lost 8.5 years of my pension to the teamster. The only way to get it back would be to become a teamster for 1.5 years.....NO WAY

Jun 24, 2009

Fed-Ex does not have a pension plan anymore. At UPS you receive a pension if you have worked there or any other Teamster company for 5 years total. Also UPS employees pay $0 dollars for a supurb healthcare plan that covers the whole family. How much do you pay a week at Fed-Ex.

Jun 24, 2009

I agree with Steve. I just retired from UPS and now enjoy a check from the Teamsters pension for $4700 dollars per month for the rest of my life. If you work at Fed-Ex you cant ever retire because you dont get a pension. I think Fedex gives you a plaque and a handshake, no thanks ill take my big check instead.

Jun 24, 2009

I work for FedEx, and I'm proud of it!!! It is unfair for UPS to try and get bail out on there screw ups.As far as playing on the same field, I don't think its right. They (UPS) made a bad decision and now they have to pay for it, its pure jealousy b/c they are now a union and they don't like it... FedEx out does UPS, we are better at out services then UPS ever will be. I have worked for FedEx for 5 yrs, and i have good understanding at how this company works, more so that the UPS drivers, who just pick up their deliveries and drops them off at the customer. I don't see UPS doing things to help out shipping costs, and adding new customers. They have made their bed and they are afraid to lay in it...

Jun 24, 2009

roxy ups has been a union company for 80 plus yrs.As u were saying how fedex does such a better a job than ups well thats false 61% of shippers pick ups to 30% who pick fedex.And as far as shipping cost go fedex and ups are pretty much the same.about adding new cutomers i believe fedex lost a big one to ups that would be LL bean, maybe u ought to work another 5 yrs so u get a better understanding about your competitors,no one in the pkg delivery industry works harder than ups drivers.The union negotiated good contracts for employees and we receive great pay and benefits, the union help distribute wealth between management and employees ups employees.Take note are last ceo got paid a little over 5 million from a company who made 51 billion.Fedex made 30-40 billion last yr and your ceo received almost 11 million i hope u see my point.I could care less if fedex was union or not they just need follw the same laws as ups considering they offer the same services as ups.

Jun 25, 2009

Roxy, after 5 years at Fed-Ex your pension will be exacly $0 dollars per month when you retire. If you had spent those 5 years at UPS you would be eligible for $1200 per month for life. The longer you work at UPS, the larger your pension. Also, UPS teamsters receive retiree medical when they retire. When you retire from Fed-Ex, you just get a high five. Clearly you are either a Fed-Ex lobbyist or not very smart. Good Day!

Jun 25, 2009

Steve, The comments made by some of these Fed x er's are either lobbyist pretending to be drivers or some of the biggest morons that ever lived .They actualy think good is bad . Good thing they are a small part of their company just about every Fed X driver be it a package or freight said their ready, and I talked to a lot of those guys. The girls really hate the place and want to make it a better place so they stay.

Jun 26, 2009

I agree that 99% of Fed-Ex employees nationwide are ready to be Teamsters right now! That is why Fed-Ex is getting desperate and pulling these pathetic publicity stunts. All Fed-Ex employees should call the Teamsters Local Union near them to see what they can do to get involved, the time is now.

Jun 26, 2009

FedEx Ground is currently the subject of investigations by 30 states to determine if the company is misclassifying workers as independent contractors through its owner-operator model. Also, more than 45 class-action lawsuits have been filed against the company in state and federal courts over its misclassification scheme.

Jun 26, 2009

You have to wonder just how independent FedEx drivers are. Can they choose their own services (insurance, etc) or are they held captive? Are they steered to one particular provider?

Jun 26, 2009

You have to wonder if FedEx drivers are really independent. Can they choose their own services (insurance, etc)? Are they steered to one particular provider?

Jun 26, 2009

You have to wonder whether or not FedEx drivers are truly independent. Can they choose their own services (insurance, etc)? Are they steered to one particular provider?

Jun 26, 2009

Steve, you are correct on the pension with the teamsters, but only after 1991. If you worked less then 10 years prior to 1991 you lose all your retirement and the crooks at the teamsters keep it.......there is no way to regain this retirement money......thank you TEAMSTERS

Jun 27, 2009

To the former ups'er , I started with the teamsters in 1965 and got complete credit for all that time so whats that about 1991? sounds like you got some bad info.Nobody in my local ripped us off . I doubt that fed x pays a better pention than the teamsters. If I'am wrong please reply.

Jun 27, 2009

To the FedEx driver that wishes to be in a union: I agree you should be in a union. Go work for UPS. I’ve worked for FedEx Express for 17 years we consider ourselves a big family here at the Indy hub. Management and hourly employees would not be allowed to have the same interaction we do now under a union. Also, as many have mentioned, UPS is financially struggling with the contract they have with the teamsters. Did you happen to think of what might happen if you did get a union but ended up making less then you do now due to a contract based on how the economy is now. Other benefits may be negatively effected as well (i.e. vacation, sick days, and non-paid personals). The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Jun 27, 2009

I was never a union employee, but I worked around alot of union workers, I seen them treat others very poorly and bully them around getting away with it and no one ever did anything to stop it. Sorry, I believe in fair pay, but unions are just not what they use to be when they started out years ago. If you work for a good company that knows it takes team work to run a business and believe in fair pay then you know you are working for the right company. Without team work your business will not survive either. Just because you work for a union company does not mean you are a team. One thing FedEx has is the purple promise and alot of us believe it works.

Jun 28, 2009

Fedexercsr, You say that Indi. is a great place , maybe so but don't let that fool you in to thinking that the rest of the system is the same . The guys I talked really didn't have much good to say about the joint. As for the bully part I was a teamster for 44 years now retired and like most if not all we came to work everyday did our jobs and got a long with fellow drivers . I don't know where this bit about union guys are bullys . I can say that if there is any bullying go'en on it's from managment because their bosses are pushing them for more production .

Jun 29, 2009

R.E.Starr, I called the teamsters and was told about the 1991 cutoff. Prior to 1991 you need 10 years service, after 1991 you only need 5 years service. FedEx has 5 different retriement plans. 4 you contribute 1 only FedEx contributes but only after 5 years service.

Jun 29, 2009

Fed-Ex does not have a pension plan. Period. They have a healthcare plan that is more expensive every year for the employees. Raises, get serious! The company takes and takes, that is what happens when you do not have a contract. Purple promises to keep cutting benefits of the blue collar workers as the management salaries and bonuses soar.

Jun 29, 2009

I understand the fedex courier with 20 years not wanting to unionize, he/she is making $25 per hr roughly. But what about the courier with only 2 years making $10 less per hour? I do the same job as the truck next to me, should'nt I be paid the same??? Also the Teamsters benifits are twice as good as fedex and 1/3 the cost to the employee.

Jul 1, 2009

fedex courier, it will be the same way with the union. The more experience you get the more money you get paid. But don't fotget, when it comes to raises, no matter if you go above and beyond or you just slide by everyone get the same amount in raises. So you're supporting slackers. I did a retirement survey and if I stay at FedEx 10 more years I'll make more money retired than working.

Jul 1, 2009

I have 23 yrs in as a driver and my pension will be about $1200 a month!Can I live on that?The guy working next to me has been with Fedx 11 years and is still not topscale!!When I started the splitshift diffential was a dollar a hr !I think its still the same 23 yrs later!!People I have seniority on have gotten routes I wanted or vacations I wanted!!The managers all make 6 figure incomes and we get paid less then a postal carrier!!

Jul 2, 2009

checkout wwww.brownbailout.com

Jul 2, 2009

Check out http://www.fedexwatch.org/

Jul 2, 2009

As a UPS driver(Teamster member)i make $29 dollars per hour with plenty of overtime, i have a pension plan that currently provides $5000 per month for life, and Teamsters healthcare plan (100% paid for by UPS) for my whole family which includes; medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability payments, and life insurance at no cost to us. I get 6 weeks paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, 5 sickdays, 3 personal days, tuition reimbursement, bereavement pay, jury duty pay, 401k, ups stock, yearly raises, respect, and job security. Now lets look at Fed-Ex; Pay cuts, the elimination of pension plans, healthcare costs rising yearly for workers, no yearly raises, no job security, and safety concerns daily. Fed-Ex workers, organize with the Teamsters, and get what you deserve."

Jul 2, 2009

As a UPS driver(Teamster member)i make $29 dollars per hour with plenty of overtime, i have a pension plan that currently provides $5000 per month for life, and Teamsters healthcare plan (100% paid for by UPS) for my whole family which includes; medical, dental, vision, prescription, disability payments, and life insurance at no cost to us. I get 6 weeks paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, 5 sickdays, 3 personal days, tuition reimbursement, bereavement pay, jury duty pay, 401k, ups stock, yearly raises, respect, and job security. Now lets look at Fed-Ex; Pay cuts, the elimination of pension plans, healthcare costs rising yearly for workers, no yearly raises, no job security, and safety concerns daily. Fed-Ex workers, organize with the Teamsters, and get what you deserve."

Jul 3, 2009

Oh,yeah one more thing. I have a life outside work. My afternoons are spent with my kids and wife, unlike the UPS guys still working for that extra 8 dollars long into the night.

Jul 6, 2009

Steve, take your head out of the bag. I don't know where you get your info from but my 5 weeks vac, Unlimited rolling sick, jury, 3 personal, great medical and life insurance, oh ya! that pension too. That report I get for my pension. I guess I don't know where that comes from being you say I don't have one.

Jul 6, 2009

Everyone that works at Fed-Ex knows that you pay through the nose for that subpar healthcare plan that becomes more expensive for the employees each year. Fed-Ex also does NOT have a pension plan anymore. Same work as UPS drivers just UPS drivers make double the pay and benefits. Anyone who wishes to argue this point is not educated to the facts, or is a Fed-Ex lobbyist, Fed-Ex manager, or paid blogger.

Jul 6, 2009

Answer this question for me Steve. Why is FedEx always in the top 100 companies to work for and UPS is not? Could be because the employees at FedEx are happy unlike those at brown.

Jul 11, 2009

confused, you truly are, look up WorldPort which was featured on the History Channel. Air only central hub for UPS. A truly amazing operation. As to the other arguments posted here..yup, FedEx did an OUTSTANDING job getting their name synonomous with "overnight" and UPS has been trying to catch up there. The disparity in percent of volume shipped via air is due to the fact that UPS ships that much more volume. FedEx is frothing at the mouth to take over ANY UPS ground volume they can, they've been playing catch up for years there. If they want into the ground shipping game then they need to man up and play by the same rules.

Jul 11, 2009

the simple fact proud FedExer is that you are NOT always there. UPS trashed FedEx in almost every measurable indicies for FY2008. Last I checked you've all ready layed off more than 5k employee's and frozen the salaries of ALL employee's for the forseeable future. UPS has yet to lay anyone off, and all of our hourly employee's received their raises this year. Answer me this....if FedEx is such a great company, then what do they need to worry about? all of those "happy" FedEx employee's will never vote to unionize and mess up the good thing they've got going.....right?

Jul 11, 2009

I currently work for fedUp it's about time somebody tells the truth about the shipping giants how both sides treat their employes unfair what it really takes to get that packaged delivered both brown and purple drivers work injured in some way. Both companies only care about their numbers for their investors, this is not about a labor law this about brown loosing ground.

Jul 12, 2009

Ok Business owner, say the union came in and unionized your work force. Keeping everything else the same, your cost for doing business in increased dramatically. All the same time, your competitor across the street still operates under the old rules. Now factor in higher fuel cost, higher wages, higher employee benefits... etc. Do you think it is still fair? And by the way, get your facts straight. Fedex owns several companies, Federal express, Fedex ground, Fedex Freight,and they do not ship 85% of their volume by air.

Jul 17, 2009

Ups is trying to set up FedEx and eventually want them to be part of Ups. Of course more dues for the Teamsters!FedEx will prevail on this! I agree with Charger is comparing apples to oranges!

Jul 27, 2009

Ex Fed Exer. Hope your wright , the best thing for those workers . The dues are the best investment they could ever make .

Jul 29, 2009

So, you think "dues are the best investment they could ever make"! Let's see.....you are paying monthly dues for pay raises, benefits, retirement, etc....BUT the teamsters are taking concessions and giving back pay & raises, they stopped contributing to retire funds, etc....May be no layoffs yet, but just wait. If things don't turn around soon, let's see if you get layed off or the company goes out of business. This is your UNION at work. The union officers and local employees are still getting raise and good benefits while you pay for them..... Still like the TEAMSTERS?

Jul 29, 2009

To the person who says that UPS hasn't laid anyone off, that's untrue. Although they were not employees of UPS small package system, these employees were UPS Freight employees. At the beginning of the year, there were SEVERAL offices within the Freight network that completely closed. They have also laid off many people in the Freight Brokerage departments as they lost Hitachi as a large brokerage customer to a smaller freight forwarder. Lay-offs ARE going on at UPS.

Jul 29, 2009

Also, healthcare coverage (as I noticed it) was MUCH cheaper at Fedex as opposed to UPS. For full coverage with optimum health services I was paying roughly $25/monthly just two years ago with Fedex. With UPS for the same coverage, I'm paying right at $110/monthly.

Jul 29, 2009

Ninty five percent of what I have to say about the Teamsters is all good. Whats going on in trucking is management that over extended it's self not the employees or the unions fault . If the employees are giving back its because management screwed up . Our local officals did if fact take a cut in pay as well as any member did but all our company top management still got millions in compasion their laughing all the way to the bank. As for me . I retired my teamster pention and social securty gives me more than most make working . So please explain to why the union is a bad thing for me.

Sep 8, 2009

Teamsters • Teamsters for a Democratic Union (tdu.org) • Sept. 4, 2009
Top Teamster Officials Get a $1 Million Raise
Last year the salaries of the highest-paid Teamster officials went up by $1,041,276. That’s according to the annual $150,000 Club Report
produced by the Teamster Rank and File Education and Legal Defense Foundation (TRF). Forty-four officials got a raise of over $10,000
last year. Over 110 Teamster officers made over $150,000 in salaries last year, the highest number ever. The TRF report will be issued
next week. TRF has published the report since 1979.

Sep 17, 2009

What ever the union boss's get how ever they get it can't compare with what the insurance boss's help their selves to. Steve Hemsley of United Health Care draws 1hundred and 3 thousand dollars an hour out of the premiumes that people are paying for insurance and at the same time united is denieing claims as was last reported on the networks. So it looks to me that the corprate clowns are maken out a lot better . As for the dues paying the salaries for these guys I have no complaint I know that those dues were one of the best investments I ever made . No FED-x driver will come close to my full teamster pension.

Sep 23, 2009

i worked for ups and had teamsters they are not for you so FED EX WATCHOUT they are the biggest scammers and thiefs there ever was . i hate to say i hope fed ex wins at everything including , their employees not voting in teamsters. because when it comes down to your job, teamsters will side with the company as they have for years. i have proof to back what i am saying.

Sep 25, 2009

Annoyomous, It would not surprise me if you were found out to be a Fed Ex. superviser bum raping the unions .You won't give your name because eveyone at Fed x will know your on the internet trying to discourage the employees from bettering their selves . Please tell us readers who has the better pension and who has the better medical? I would love to read your reply.I doubt you will reply, may you will.

Sep 25, 2009

Annoyomous, I wouln't be surprised that you are some kind of superviser for Fed X. bum rapping the unions trying to keep the employees from bettering their selves. If you used your name then everyone at your terminal would know that you are on the internet trying to get out the Fed X. propaganda. Please write back and tell the readers who has the better medical or who has the better pensions Fed X or the teamsters.I for one would love to read your reply. I doubt if you will but maybe I'am wrong.

Nov 7, 2009

Well, I'm not sure what FedEx means! Regardless if they do more shipping one way and UPS does shipping another. They are both C A R R I E R S meaning they both ship packages. Therefore, FedEx should be under the same act as UPS. How are we suppose to compete if they are not under the same act. And R.E. Starr couldn't agree with you more about allowing FedEx workers to better themselves.

Post a comment