Feb 16, 2018 –

Moments ago, we received notification that Teamsters Local 89 Business Agent Mike Rankin had been removed from his positions on the UPS and UPS Freight National Negotiating Committees by Denis Taylor, Package Division Director for the IBT.

In the letter, which you can read attached to this post, the IBT made it clear that Brother Rankin was being removed due to the fact that he was sharing information about the “exchange of contract proposals, and modifications of proposals” with Teamster members.

Teamsters Local 89 condemns Package Division Director Denis Taylor and the IBT for this cowardly act. The very purpose of those on the National Negotiating Committee is to represent their members. The fact that Brother Rankin was being transparent with his members in UPS Ground and UPS Freight about what he was witnessing in National Negotiations should be applauded, not dismissed.

Our great union thrives when members are educated about the status of their contracts. The voices of our members are an integral part of any negotiations. By leaving members in the dark, they in turn cannot hold UPS accountable for the unacceptable concessions they are demanding.

Brother Rankin has been a member of the Teamsters union since 1992, he has been a steward, he has been a United States Marine, and through it all he has been a tireless advocate for his Teamster brothers and sisters. His dismissal is not only an insult to him, but an insult to the membership of Teamsters Local 89, and indeed, the entire membership of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.