what to do when things are slow | UPS

Right now, things are a bit different for 638 members who work at UPS. The economy is slowing down and there are internal changes withing the company, which is resulting in less volume, combined with internal changes within the company, with the result being that the company is looking closely at staffing levels. Unless you have been around since 2008, it is likely that you haven’t seen any sort of significant slowdown. For those hired during the COVID boom, all you have known is excessive overtime and there never being enough staffing to get the work done.
 
We're kind of at the mercy of these changes in the economy, but there are things we can do to protect our jobs. Here are some important tips for UPS workers, especially now:
 

• Take your contractual break. Taking your full amount of break every day is important because those few minutes for each employee add up.
• Follow Established Methods: Uphold company-prescribed methods diligently. Whether it's the once-discussed 340 methods or their updated counterparts, adherence ensures consistency and shields against disciplinary actions.
• Accurate Timekeeping: Record work hours accurately and as it happens using the method you’ve been trained in. Precision in time card management, regardless of the recording system employed, is essential. Seek clarification from supervisors regarding any unique circumstances before you leave for the day.
  
• Avoid Off-the-Clock Work: Refrain from working off the clock, especially when there are layoffs. Doing so distorts staffing requirements, potentially justifying further staff reductions. Additionally, it may deprive fellow Teamsters of rightful work opportunities.
• Maintain Professional Conduct: Exercise restraint and professionalism in all work-related interactions. Avoid actions that could provide the company with grounds for termination.
• Consistent Attendance. Through both contractual and legislative actions, Local 638 Teamster members who work at UPS now have more flexibility than ever before to take time off when you are sick or if you need to attend to a loved who is ill. It is true that the union doesn’t recognize any attendance policy the company may have, but thinking about it that way kind of misses the point in a time like we are currently in. When there are layoffs as there now are, the amount of people on the schedule each week matters. If the company realizes they can get the same amount of work done with even fewer people because they have had to adjust because of a regular amount of call ins, that might just become the new baseline for the needed staffing numbers. We need to protect our work.

 
These are good habits to have at any time, but they're especially important during times like these when things are uncertain. Now is the time for Teamsters to stay united and do what’s necessary to protect our work and protect our jobs!