Rally Supports Maspeth Drivers
Dozens of United Parcel Service (UPS) employees rallied with union delegates and elected officials at City Hall last Thursday, Apr. 3, demanding that the courier revoke the impending termination of 250 drivers based at the UPS Maspeth facility.
Public Advocate Letitia James has called on the city to reconsider a parking ticket deal that saves the company millions in fines after UPS decided to terminate workers who walked off the job for 90 minutes in February in a show of solidarity with another fired employee.
According to a press release from James’ office, UPS benefits from a $43 Million public contract to provide delivery services to city and state agencies. The company also benefits from a ticket savings program with the city which UPS participates in that allows the company to pay millions less in reduced penalties.
“We cannot stand by idly by when New York City workers are being mistreated,” James said.
Teamsters Local 804, Teamsters Joint Council 16 and at least three dozen laid-off drivers joined Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and State Sen. Tony Avella to denounce the terminations.
“We’re asking UPS to do right by the workers who have built this company and to do right by the customers who depend on these workers every day. This will not stand,” Tim Sylvester, president of Teamsters Loca 804 said.
One recently terminated employee at the rally-Dominick DeDomenico returned to work in January following a car accident that put him in a coma for 10 days-was fired for not meeting the same package delivery quota he had set before his injuries.
“I stand with Teamsters Local 804 and call on UPS to do the right thing and immediately reinstate the employment of these hardworking men and women.” Avella said.
City Council Member I. Daneek Miller had scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, Apr. 9, but that date has been pushed to the end of the month.
Miller, who is a former president of the Amalgamated Transit Workers Union has offered to use his labor background to mediate and said of the situation, “it’s something the council is looking at.”
He added, “I remain hopeful they will take me up on the offer to mediate. This certainly is something I am familiar with.”
The company participates in the fleet program run through the city Department of Finance. This allows the company a penalty-free period of 45 days to pay a ticket.
When that period ends, unpaid tickets begin to accrue penalties in 45 day segments. Companies that have not resolved outstanding tickets after 135 days, will be issued a default judgment.
Businesses that accumulate more than $350 in fines are removed from the program, according to the department.
Two other finance arrangements the company participates in, the stipulated fine program and the NYC Delivery Solutions Program allow UPS to pay a set, reduced fine amount for each violation, while businesses waive the right to challenge the parking tickets.
