According to Stephen Piercey, communications director for Teamsters Local 89 in Louisville, their leadership and the leaders of several local unions are opposed to the proposed five-year UPS labor contract covering 260,000 UPS employees. The statement comes after the leaders of 179 local unions voted “overwhelmingly” to move forward. The opposition is rooted in the starting wages and the creation of a new tier of package-car drivers who would work weekends and earn less per hour than current drivers. Though the contract calls for wages to reach $15 per hour over the life of the contract, Piercey says the rate should immediately move to $15. UPS wants to alleviate mandatory overtime and create more full-time jobs by creating “combination” workers who would deliver packages part of the week and work “inside” jobs. The pay for this new type of worker would top out at $30 an hour, compared to $36 for a traditional full-time driver.
Now is the right time to become an American Federation of Musicians member. From ragtime to rap, from the early phonograph to today's digital recordings, the AFM has been there for its members. And now there are more benefits available to AFM members than ever before, including a multi-million dollar pension fund, excellent contract protection, instrument and travelers insurance, work referral programs and access to licensed booking agents to keep you working.
As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Experience has proven that collective activity on behalf of individuals with similar interests is the most effective way to achieve a goal. The AFM can negotiate agreements and administer contracts, procure valuable benefits and achieve legislative goals. A single musician has no such power.
The AFM has a proud history of managing change rather than being victimized by it. We find strength in adversity, and when the going gets tough, we get creative - all on your behalf.
Like the industry, the AFM is also changing and evolving, and its policies and programs will move in new directions dictated by its members. As a member, you will determine these directions through your interest and involvement. Your membership card will be your key to participation in governing your union, keeping it responsive to your needs and enabling it to serve you better. To become a member now, visit www.afm.org/join.