Parcel delivery giant UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters representing over 340,000 UPS delivery and warehouse logistics workers each published a statement on July 19 announcing that labor negotiations will resume next week after being stalled earlier this month. 

The union is calling for a new five-year agreement with pay increases, elimination of a two-tier wage structure, more full-time jobs and address of safety and health concerns.

“We are prepared to increase our industry-leading pay and benefits, but need to work quickly to finalize a fair deal that provides certainty for our customers, our employees and businesses across the country,” UPS officials wrote in a news release. 

UPS and the Teamsters have until midnight on July 31, when the current contract expires, to come to an agreement. After which, the Teamsters — representing over half of the UPS workforce — have said they plan to strike. 

“The Teamsters agreement with UPS is the largest private-sector union contract in North America. UPS Teamsters are demanding the strongest possible contract or are prepared to strike — with rank-and-file members authorizing a strike by 97 percent,” the Teamsters wrote. 

Earlier this week, the union’s President Sean O’Brien asked the White House not to intervene by forcing a new contract agreement if a strike begins after the current labor deal expires.