As several states across the northeastern and midwestern United States face an exceptional heatwave, the Teamsters transport union has issued an ultimatum to UPS: by 1 July2025, the company must provide clear answers on several commitments made during the contract renewal in August 2023. One of the key commitments is to supply drivers—starting in the hottest states such as Texas, Arizona and Nevada—with vans equipped with air conditioning. Of the 28,000 vehicles promised, the Teamsters Package Division claims only ten percent have been put on the road. The union is demanding full and updated data on the status of the fleet and the timeline for completing the rollout.
But this is not the only contractual issue the Teamsters are contesting. Another major point concerns the commitment to convert 22,500 part-time positions into full-time roles and to create an additional 7,500 full-time jobs before the contract expires. The union is also demanding an update on the status of complaints and disputes concerning forced overtime, governed by Article 37 of the contract. This clause includes protective measures for workers subjected to excessive shifts, the right to be placed on the so-called "9.5 list", and entitlement to additional compensation in cases of repeated violations.
In a statement, the union said that “workers’ patience is wearing thin” and criticised what it described as “inefficient” and “dangerous” management by UPS, posing a risk to the health of its employees. Teamsters President Sean M. O’Brien declared that “we are halfway through the national contract and the Teamsters are deeply concerned that UPS is not living up to its commitments”, adding, “how can UPS expect to deliver more than 20,000 air-conditioned vehicles in two years if it’s already this far behind? The summer heat affecting our members is no joke. UPS is playing with the lives of thousands of essential workers.”
