Teamsters Local 509 Wins Full-Time UPS Driver Jobs in South Carolina

Teamsters Local 509 in South Carolina secured a dozen new full-time driver positions at its Charleston center after a year-long campaign to enforce contractual staffing levels and combat understaffing at United Parcel Service (UPS). The victory follows an earlier 2023 contract campaign that eliminated UPS’s two-tier driver program, which had previously limited lower-tier drivers’ advancement opportunities.

Local 509 initially gained 91 full-time delivery drivers at the Charleston center after the two-tier system was abolished. However, staffing levels declined to 75 drivers over time due to attrition. When union representatives requested that vacant positions be filled, UPS management claimed existing staffing was adequate. This led Local 509 to file grievances, which were initially denied due to insufficient evidence of understaffing.

Investigations by union members revealed multiple contract violations by UPS, including misclassification of air drivers—who are supposed to handle only air packages—delivering ground packages. Additionally, temporary drivers (known as Road Team Drivers or RTDs) were being used outside of peak season, and drivers from other UPS facilities were being assigned to the Charleston center in violation of seniority rules. The union documented these violations daily, building a case to demonstrate the need for additional full-time positions.

Management attempted to deflect responsibility by blaming union members for scheduling conflicts and reduced hours for air drivers. However, the union countered by engaging temporary and air drivers directly, explaining how contractual violations harmed all workers. The union also ensured that air drivers received the full driver rate of pay when they handled ground packages, as required by the contract, rather than the lower rate they would have otherwise received.

The turning point came when an air driver filed his own grievance. This prompted other workers to recognize the systemic erosion of full-time jobs and take action. By the time UPS offered a $150,000 buyout nationwide ahead of peak season, several drivers had already left, increasing workloads for remaining staff. This led more drivers to enforce their contractual rights, including protections against excessive overtime.

Under the contract, drivers can request to be placed on the "9.5 list," which entitles them to penalty pay for working more than two 9.5-hour days in a week. Penalties increase after five violations, discouraging management from overworking drivers. Drivers also have the right to request an eight-hour workday at least twice a month, with penalty pay if denied. By aggressively enforcing these provisions, Local 509 accumulated enough grievances to pressure UPS into compliance.

When UPS proposed settling the dispute with only three new full-time positions, Local 509 rejected the offer. The company ultimately agreed to create 12 new full-time driver jobs at the Charleston center and 21 jobs across the local. The positions were filled based on seniority, allowing some RTDs to transition to full-time roles. One newly promoted full-time driver, who had previously declined union membership, expressed gratitude, calling the change life-altering.

Local 509 stewards Russell Sires and John Gascey emphasized the importance of member involvement in sustaining the union’s strength. The campaign not only addressed immediate staffing shortages but also reinforced solidarity among workers, demonstrating how enforcement of contractual rights can lead to tangible improvements in working conditions.