Common UPS Teamster contract questions

Plain-English answers to 34 of the most common UPS Teamster contract questions: overtime, 9.5 list, vacation, supervisors working, grievance windows, and more.

Pay, raises & COLA

How do COLA (cost-of-living) adjustments work at UPS? — COLA kicks in when CPI rises past a contractual threshold, adding cents-per-hour to the wage rate on set review dates.
What are the general wage increases (GWI) in the UPS contract? — GWIs are flat dollar raises that apply on August 1 each contract year to top-rate employees, with separate ladders for progression and part-time.
What is the overtime rate after 8 hours at UPS? — Most UPS Teamsters earn time-and-a-half after 8 hours per day. Some supplements add double-time triggers.
What's the difference between progression pay and top rate at UPS? — Progression is the multi-year wage ladder new hires climb; top rate is the contractual maximum hourly rate for the classification.
When do UPS contract raises take effect each year? — General wage increases land on August 1 of each contract year. Progression steps move on the employee's seniority anniversary.

Seniority, bidding & guarantees

When am I guaranteed 8 hours of work at UPS? — Full-time employees who show up for their scheduled shift are guaranteed 8 hours of pay, with narrow exceptions.
What is the 9.5 list and how do I get on it? — The 9.5 list is the protected-from-excess-overtime list. Drivers who file two qualifying grievances in a rolling period get on it.
Can UPS force me to work a sixth day? — Saturday/sixth-punch protections vary by classification and supplement — many full-time drivers can refuse with seniority-order forcing rules.
How does seniority bidding work for UPS package-car drivers? — Routes, vacation weeks, and start times are bid annually in seniority order, with supplements setting the exact rules.
How much vacation do I get after 5 years at UPS? — Vacation accrual rises with years of service. Most full-time UPSers earn 3 weeks after 5 years; supplements vary.

Part-time rights

How does seniority work for inside part-time UPS employees? — Part-time seniority is by classification and building, runs on your seniority date, and governs shift bids, layoffs, and full-time bids.
What is the UPS part-time 3.5-hour guarantee? — Part-time inside employees who report for their shift are guaranteed 3.5 hours of work or pay.
Can a part-timer at UPS bid into a full-time job? — Yes. Article 22.3/22.4 reserves a share of full-time openings for inside part-timers in seniority order.
What are the UPS part-time progression rates and how long do they last? — Part-time inside employees climb a multi-year wage ladder set in the Master, typically reaching top rate around year 4.

Health & benefits

What happens to my UPS health benefits during a leave of absence? — Benefits continue during approved FMLA and workers' comp leaves; other unpaid leaves may require self-pay or COBRA.
What should I do if my UPS health claim is denied? — File an appeal with the Teamster health fund (Teamcare or regional) — the contract isn't the appeal path, the plan document is.
When does health insurance start for new UPS hires? — Most new full-time hires get Teamster health coverage after a waiting period — commonly 9 to 12 months — set in the Master.
Do part-time UPS employees get health insurance? — Yes. Part-time inside employees get fully employer-paid Teamster health coverage after the waiting period — a major benefit of the contract.

Safety & injuries

How do I report an on-the-job injury at UPS? — Report immediately to a supervisor, get the injury documented in writing, seek medical care, and file workers' comp paperwork the same day.
Can I refuse unsafe work at UPS? — Yes. Article 18 protects your right to refuse genuinely unsafe work without discipline, with a defined notice procedure.

Discipline & discharge

What counts as just cause for discipline at UPS? — Discipline must be supported by just cause — a fair investigation, consistent treatment, and progressive discipline.
Do I have the right to a steward in a disciplinary meeting? — Yes. Under Weingarten and Article 4, you have the right to a steward in any meeting that could lead to discipline.
What does the UPS contract say about supervisors working? — Article 3.7 generally prohibits supervisors from performing bargaining-unit work, with narrow exceptions and a grievable remedy.
Do I get back pay if I'm reinstated after a UPS discharge? — Usually yes. Most successful discharge grievances result in reinstatement with full back pay, minus interim earnings.
Can UPS discipline me based on telematics or ORION data alone? — No. Article 6 and the technology-rider language bar discipline based solely on GPS, telematics, or ORION data.
What happens after I'm discharged from UPS? — Discharge starts the grievance clock immediately — local hearing, state/area panel, then arbitration if unresolved.

Grievances & arbitration

How long do I have to file a grievance at UPS? — Most supplements require a grievance to be filed within 5 to 10 working days of the incident.
How long does UPS grievance arbitration typically take? — From filing to arbitration award commonly runs 6 to 18 months, depending on the panel calendar and case complexity.

FMLA & leave

How does FMLA work with the UPS Teamster contract? — FMLA gives 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave a year; the contract layers on continued health coverage and seniority protection.
Who do I notify for FMLA at UPS and how quickly? — Notify UPS as soon as practical — 30 days in advance for foreseeable leave, or as soon as possible for emergencies — through the UPS leave administrator.
Can I use sick days or paid time off during FMLA at UPS? — Yes. You can — and often must — run accrued sick, optional, and vacation days concurrently with unpaid FMLA leave.

Peak season

Can UPS hire casual employees, and how many? — Yes. The contract allows limited casual hiring with caps tied to the size of the regular workforce and the season.
Are UPS peak-season helpers Teamsters? — Peak helpers are bargaining-unit employees covered by a limited peak-season classification — they pay dues and have contract protections, but no seniority.
How do peak-season workload and overtime rules differ at UPS? — Peak relaxes some 9.5 protections and overtime caps but keeps Article 18 safety rights and the 8-hour guarantee intact.