Teamsters, Ups In Mediation Effort

The Teamsters and UPS returned to federal mediation Friday as the strike against the package delivery giant stretched through a fifth day. Governors of two states pressed the White House to intervene as businesses complained of growing delivery problems.

Neither United Parcel Service nor the union showed any sign of budging in more than five hours of talks. The Postal Service said it would deliver parcels on Sunday in an effort to handle the overflow from the strike, unless the standoff is resolved.

“I expect the weekend will be devoted to stepping up the pressure and laying the groundwork for a long strike,” said Teamsters communications director Matt Witt.

UPS’ chief negotiator, David Murray, said anew that the company’s “last, best and final” offer was already on the table.

Returning to Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service offices Friday, Murray agreed with union President Ron Carey that no significant progress had been made in more than 10 hours of talks the previous day.

“However, we feel for the sake of our customers and our employees, it’s worth coming back and trying it again.”

Carey said Thursday’s talks had been “conceptual” and that there was no actual bargaining on the key issues of full-time jobs, subcontracting, increased wages and pensions.