UPS Canada Reaches Agreement with Teamsters

Nov. 23, 2004
"We are pleased to announce an end to the work stoppage," said Glen Rice, president of UPS Canada. Rice apologized for any disruptions the work stoppage

"We are pleased to announce an end to the work stoppage," said Glen Rice, president of UPS Canada. Rice apologized for any disruptions the work stoppage may have caused customers as he said services were being reinstated immediately.

Delivery guarantees were put back in place for all shipments picked up on Wednesday November 24th.
The Canadian Teamsters initiated a work stoppage on November 22nd claiming a lack of progress in contract talks. At that time, UPS Canada assured shippers packages in the UPS Canada system would be delivered but ground shipments into Canada and customer pick ups within Canada were suspended. The Independent Pilots Association said it would honor the Teamster picket lines.

"We feel strongly that this action is unwarranted and was avoidable. UPS worked diligently with the Teamsters Bargaining Committee and on October 1st reached a tentative collective agreement that offered significant enhancements for employees," said Rice said at that time.

During the stoppage, UPS implemented contingency plans to continue limited operations. UPS Canada said all packages in the UPS Canada system would be delivered. It did suspend customer pick ups within Canada and ground shipments into Canada (UPS Standard to Canada). UPS Canada also discontinued all delivery guarantees on shipments sent to and within Canada November 22nd and 23rd. .UPS Worldwide Express and UPS Worldwide Expedited into Canada continued, but the company had warned shippers to expect delays.

UPS said the labor situation affected UPS Canada operations only.