Q&A: I intend to write a pay raise proposal at UPS but I need some advice, read on…?

Question by MeTaL_MaN: I intend to write a pay raise proposal at UPS but I need some advice, read on…?
I need some help from career-UPSers that know about UPS’ contracts and what not. I have been a loader for UPS for almost 6 months, yet my performance is above and beyond their expectations (ever since I started). I load over 2,000 packages a day, I handle the heaviest trailer in the Salt Lake City hub by myself (which is the first time ever, that they’ve gotten a strong, fast & accurate loader–regular PPH is over 500/hr, on heavy nights, I literally load 700-750/hr without power-loading, my misload frequency is currently about 50,000 per 1 misload–only had about 5 or 6 since i’ve worked there almost 6 months, last week I’ve loaded 11,000 with 0 misloads, a week before that was over 8,000 with 0, and the week before that was also over 8,000 but with 1 misload…like I said, the PPH they want is 180/hr with a suggested 3000 per 1 misload yet I exceed the standards WAY beyond what they want, I’m not just there to earn a paychecck and let the time pass by, when I work, I work hard, and not want to establish a sh*tty reputation or anything, I don’t mind working hard at all, I’m used to it, I’m a roughneck) Many of my co-workers DO agree that they (UPS) DO need to pay me more than just $ 9.50/hr (I’ve got a $ 1 raise after 3 months). I listed my performance to give some detail to answering my question…Having such a record working there with little time, yet performance is of MY BEST … not to mention, I have not ever been recognized or rewarded anything ever since I’ve worked there…but I need to know whether a pay raise proposal letter would help to at least raise me up another buck or two … possible? knowing UPS is union of course (which is a doubt that they might agree due to maybe that an unscheduled raise would BREACH their contract? Do I have to write to the right people? Like for example…someone up at Corporate? Or should I write to my Local Union? I need help from those who have worked for UPS for a long time and knows a lot about UPS’s contract with the union…are there ANY exceptions that they could up my pay besides the regular waiting for a whole year type deal…and just WAIT for the scheduled pay raise time? or would a payraise breach their contract…i’m sure there’s SOME type of exception especially for individuals that perform distinguishly within the company…hell, I still have about 7 more months to wait for my benefits 🙁 … please I need some insights about my concern…thank you in advance

Best answer:

Answer by MMM
I already answered you once today. Sorry if it is not what you wanted to hear. Please see below:

Although I appreciate and agree with your passionate letter, I must tell you that a letter to UPS management will probably not accomplish a single thing.

As a package handler, you are bound by the union contract with the Teamsters….whether you are a union member or not. The collective bargaining agreement with the Teamster’s Union stipulates pay increases for all labor union employees across the board….individual increases based on merit are not only frowned upon, they are in direct contract violation. The idea behind collective bargaining agreements (and hence the whole philosophy behind labor unions in general) is to ensure fair pay increases for ALL union employees regardless of merit (or lack thereof). Therefore, it doesn’t matter in the slightest that you bust your butt and everyone else slacks…you all get the same increase at the same time. That’s why most people slack…it doesn’t pay at UPS to work hard.

You’ll make more money by walking around with a blue form in your pocket and filing grievances against management employees working than by trying to ask for a merit raise….that’s why most of the union heavies are big grievance filers—because that is how the game is played. You’ll get two times your hourly rate for every minute you spot a manager doing hourly work. Just keep careful records and make sure you learn how to fill out a grievance properly. You’ll notice your union steward and other high-seniority union members in your building walk around with a notebook in their hands at all times…..that’s because they are taking careful notes on every management offense so they can supplement their income through grievances. Trust me, management does hourly work all the time–whenever they think they can get away with it, so it is fairly easy to increase your pay in this way.

Why am I telling you this? Well, I was formerly a driver and I played the game. I got a too-good-to-be-true offer to go into management and I have regretted it ever since. UPS management is the cesspool of all corporate management. They are rotten, evil, conspiring, labor-haters and they expect all management people to get one over on the union every time they turn around. As a manager, I have been instructed by higher-ups to develop elaborate false disciplinary cases against union employees they want to fire. I have been instructed to lie in union panel hearings or face termination myself. I have serious moral issues with UPS corporate philosophy and as a result have faced belittlement and threats. I am currently seeking other employment and long for the day I can tell them to shove off.

Talk to your steward about your concerns…it is the best route for you. And for God’s sake, don’t take a management position on the promise of a better salary. It is a deal with the devil.

PS. Thank God YA is anonymous.

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