In OCT 2024 a dispute between UPS, Teamsters Local 89 and Teamsters Local 2727 related to UTIL work generated as a result of the opening of the North Hangar in SDF was heard by Arbitrator Strongin.  

On NOV 15, 2024, the Parties received Arbitrator Strongin’s decision. Arbitrator Strongin ruled that;

• Local 89 has waived its right to participate in this proceeding, despite provision of notice and opportunity to do so with full-party status pursuant to Art. 21, Sec. 2.g of the Local 2727 Agreement; and
• The disputed work of receiving; shipping; checking; issuing and storing of aircraft and simulator parts, tools, equipment and materials in the new North Hangar of the SDF Gateway, as provided at Art. 22, Sec. 1.g of the Local 2727 Agreement, is properly performed by Teamsters Local 2727-represented employees.

Refusing to accept Arbitrator Strongin’s decision, LU89 President & IBT General Executive Board member Avral Thompson requested the Joint Council hear the dispute to overturn Arbitrator Strongin’s binding decision.

The Jurisdictional Hearing for the dispute was heard by the Joint Council 94 Panel on JAN 8, 2025. While ART XIX of the IBT Constitution provides that both Parties “may select only a member in good standing to represent the [Local] in the presentation” of their case, LU89 VP Brian Hamm, LU89 President/IBT GEB member Avral Thompson, and IBT General Secretary Treasurer Fred Zuckerman presented the case for LU89. After objecting to the Constitutional violation, GST Zuckerman informed the Panel that there is no limit to the number of Presenters either Party can have and the Panel agreed.

Regarding the substance of the case, under sworn testimony LU89 VP Brian Hamm stated that LU2727 UTIL’s have never shipped or received parts into or out of the SH for over 30 years. Hamm was either lying or too lazy to look at the documents provided to LU89 (him) and LU2727 that proved that parts have been direct shipped and received by LU2727 UTILs from the SDF UTIL Work Center to/from Vendors and other LU2727 Work Centers from around the country for many years.

In sworn testimony, LU89 Steward Dennis Pitts agreed that AMDC employees have never performed work in the South Hangar and that LU2727 UTILs exclusively perform the work in the LU2727 UTIL SDF Work Center (NH & SH). Based on Mr. Pitts’ and other LU89 representatives sworn testimony, there should be no dispute that LU2727 UTIL employees have sole jurisdiction over this work in the LU2727 UTIL SDF Work Center (NH & SH).    

While Thompson continued to claim that he never intended to endanger any LU2727 UTIL members’ jobs during the hearing, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE DID! Anyone that was present would agree that an Arbitrator would rule in our favor based on the evidence presented, as Arbitrator Strongin did. 

After approximately eight hours of testimony, it appears that the Panel took less than ten minutes to discuss and draft their 1.5-page decision. Compare that to the 17-page decision from Arbitrator Strongin [LU2727 XX13 posted below].

After appealing the Joint Council’s decision to General President O’Brien, L2727 and L89 submitted a Settlement Agreement to UPS protecting the interests of both Locals. After several months of negotiations with UPS, the Parties signed an Agreement protecting the members of both local unions this week. The LU2727 and LU89 Opening Statements, Exhibits, Transcripts, JC 94 Hearing Panel Decision, LU2727 Appeal and Settlement Agreement are posted below.