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February 4, 2002 6:00 AM, EST

(Michael James - Transport Topics) Chris Mahoney of UPS (left) and Teamster President James P. Hoffa exchange contract proposals as union negotiator Bill Lichtenwald looks on.

The Teamsters union and United Parcel Service kicked off negotiations over a new contract Jan. 30 with both sides saying they want to avoid a repeat of a 15-day strike in 1997.

“We know our employees and customers want to see a new agreement negotiated as soon as practical,” said Chris Mahoney, senior vice president of global transportation services and labor relations for UPS. “We are optimistic that we will reach a fair and balanced agreement that recognizes our people for their hard work and efforts while enabling UPS to remain competitive.”

The 1997 strike — the first in UPS’s 80-year history with the Teamsters — cost the Atlanta-based parcel delivery carrier more than $750 million in revenue and led some customers to switch a portion of their business to other carriers.

For the full story, see the Feb. 4 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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