As the August 1 deadline looms for UPS workers’ contract negotiations, local employees in Fort Walton Beach are making preparations for a potential strike. In an effort to demonstrate solidarity and support for their national negotiating committee, dozens of workers held a “practice picket” outside the UPS center on Wednesday morning.

• UPS Teamsters have voted by an overwhelming 97% to authorize a strike.

Lavon Lindsey, treasurer and business manager for Teamsters Local Union 991, explained the purpose of the practice picket, stating, “This is a friendly picket. We’re showing our support and solidarity to our international committee that’s negotiating this contract.” 

• He highlighted the importance of reaching a deal before the existing contract expires on July 31, emphasizing that “nobody wants a strike.”

The negotiations between the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and UPS began back in April. Teamsters is wanting a new five-year agreement that “guarantees higher wages for all workers, more full-time jobs, an end to forced overtime and harassment from management, elimination of a two-tier wage system, and protection from heat and other workplace hazards.”

However, an offer presented by UPS was deemed subpar and subsequently rejected by the union. With the looming possibility of a strike, Lindsey says the “practice picket” serves as a way to exercise their legal right to picket while informing workers of the potential outcomes.

When asked about the implications of a strike, Lindsey acknowledged that there would be significant disruptions to logistics and delivery services. He noted, “There would not be any delivery service unless supervisors or management was doing it.” 

The Teamsters Local Union 991’s hope is that UPS management receives the message of unity and that the parties can reach an agreement before the July 31 deadline.

• According to NPR, a nationwide walkout by 340,000 UPS workers would be the largest strike against a single employer in U.S. history, and the first strike at UPS since 1997. 

As negotiations continue on a new 5-year contract, workers remain hopeful that a strike can be averted. However, if a new contract deal is not reached by the end of the month, we could see Fort Walton Beach UPS workers participating in the nationwide strike.