February 13, 2017
Will Lead UPS Negotiations, Nation’s Largest Private-Sector Contract
(WASHINGTON) – International Vice President Sean O’Brien has been named Director of the Teamsters Package Division. The division represents more than 250,000 members at UPS and UPS Freight.
“I am pleased to appoint Sean O’Brien to lead our Package Division team as we head into the all important 2018 contract negotiations with UPS,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “With Sean’s experience, enthusiasm and commitment I am confident that he will lead the fight for our members to achieve a strong contract.”
O’Brien was recently re-elected as an International Vice President. He also serves as President of Local 25 in Boston and President of Joint Council 10, which covers all of New England.
“I want to thank General President Hoffa and General Secretary-Treasurer Hall for their confidence in me,” said O’Brien. “But as I told them, this will not be a one-man band. We will need every UPS Teamster to join in our effort to secure a strong and fair contract in 2018.
“I will be hitting the road and meeting with local union officers, stewards and members from across the nation to hear their concerns and involve them in developing our strategy. I plan on involving our members from day one in the enforcement of our current agreement and hearing their issues for the upcoming bargaining. Constant communication and direct member involvement will ensure our success.
“There are many challenges facing our members that work at UPS, one of the most profitable companies in America. Only by having a unified and involved membership can we achieve a contract that rewards our members for their role in making this company so successful.”
O’Brien succeeds General Secretary-Treasurer Ken Hall as the division director. Hall will now be devoting his efforts to maintaining the Teamsters strong financial condition.
“Sean O’Brien’s extensive knowledge of the small package industry and his tireless commitment to the membership are just two reasons that I wholeheartedly endorse his appointment, Hall said. “He is the right person to lead our Package Division into the future. Sean has the toughness that will serve our union and our members at UPS and UPS Freight well.”
“Ken Hall and Jim Hoffa have built the foundation for the strong contracts we currently have at UPS,” O’Brien said. “I look forward to working closely with them both as we develop our contract strategy.”
The UPS contract, the largest collective bargaining agreement in the United States, and the UPS Freight contract expire on July 31, 2018.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information.
Press Contact:
Galen Munroe
Email: gmunroe@teamster.org
Phone: (202) 624-6911