UPS confirmed contract talks with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have begun on new collective bargaining agreements. The current five-year contract continues through July 31, 2018. “UPS and the union have many shared objectives and our intent is to negotiate in an environment of mutual respect,” said Al Gudim, UPS Labor Relations President. “We believe all parties recognize that taking care of our customers with reliable service is the key to maintaining a company that rewards our employees and provides excellent job security. We are in a rapidly changing industry and look forward to working together with union negotiators to strongly position UPS for the future.” Click Read More below for more of the story.

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Union leaders have cut off negotiations for a new contract for port workers on the East and Gulf Coasts over automation concerns, a development that comes with less than two months to go before the docksiders say they’ll again strike if a fresh six-year deal for them isn’t inked. It’s a notable development for the promotional products market, which imports the vast majority of products it sells in North America on ships that bring goods from Asia and other parts of the world. A lengthy strike on the East and Gulf Coasts could seriously snarl the supply chain of the promo products industry and other sectors.