Union president Sean O'Brien said on July 23 that the union could still effectively cease operations if a tentative contract agreement was not reached by July 31, the union was told.

UPS said on July 21 it would train managers in the coming weeks to help deliver packages in the event of an Aug. 1 strike by workers represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

“While we have made great progress and are close to an agreement, as an essential services provider we have a responsibility to take steps to help ensure we can deliver our customers’ packages if truckers choose to strike,” UPS said in a statement.

UPS is working on contingency plans in case a tentative agreement on a new national contract is not reached with the Teamsters before July 31, when their current contract expires. The union plans to start a strike on Aug. 1 if no deal is reached, which would cause major disruptions for shippers.

“UPS can’t train enough managers to multi-task to deliver that many packages, and they can’t handle the heat in the back of the trucks,” said O’Brien, the union president . “They can’t load packages or unload trailers. We are going to win this battle.”

The current union contract with UPS covers about 330,000 employees, including drivers and package handlers. In addition, the Teamsters said the union representing UPS pilots has agreed to stand by picket lines and offer support in the event of a strike, which would further challenge UPS's ability to maintain normal business.

While negotiators reached a tentative agreement on multiple contract items, differing proposals on part-time employee wages have hampered further progress since the morning of July 5. According to UPS, after 30 days, part-time employees make an average of $20 an hour, but O'Brien said 100,000 of them make less than that.

O'Brien said if negotiators reach an agreement on part-time worker wages and a tentative deal is reached by July 31, Teamsters employees will continue to work until members ratify the contract. Union leaders added that it would take about three weeks to complete the contract ratification process.

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