In a major arbitration victory for Teamsters Local 2785 UPS package drivers, members are getting justice this week after a long battle against the company for skimping on drivers’ overtime pay. The fight began with a grievance filed by the local in response to the company delaying drivers’ start times. Persistence by the union led to a favorable arbitration ruling and a remedy of $1.6 million for drivers at three UPS centers in San Francisco, Menlo Park, and San Bruno. The settlement covers approximately 1,100 members. “Local 2785 is pleased to have been able to win this arbitration against UPS, protecting our start times and getting the penalty,” said Joe Cilia, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 2785. “UPS was wrong and the union held their feet to the fire. It was a long battle, but we never gave up.” Although the company paid the delay penalty at the beginning of the day, it did not pay the delay caused at the end of the shift when the workday was lengthened past the normal quitting time. The union charged the company with violating Article 22, Section 2 of the Northern California Supplemental Agreement. UPS initially tried to delay the case, which was heard at the local supplemental grievance panel, deadlocked at the Western Region Panel, and eventually moved to arbitration. Ultimately, the arbitrator Read more...