Union representation at UPS Worldport is about to expand with the addition of Jay Dennis as a Business Agent for multiple areas in the Air District. Jay will be taking over as the Agent for Wings C, D, E and Grade Lane Shift on the Next Day Air operation, and for the World Freight Facility on Second Day Air. He will also be taking over as the union chair for the Worldport Shuttle Committee.

This acts as a homecoming of sorts for Jay, who began his Teamsters career in the Air District in 1995. Jay was an active participant in the famed 1997 UPS Strike and served as a union steward on the night shift 9-11 ramp for many years. During Jay’s time as a rank-and-file member at Worldport, he earned two degrees – Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Louisville, and a Bachelor of Science in Labor Studies from Indiana University.

A longtime activist, Jay was deeply involved as a volunteer for Local 89. In 2012, Jay founded what would later be known as the Ground Team, an ever-evolving list of member activists who volunteer to help push to elect pro-union politicians, as well as volunteer on other union-related campaigns.

Later in 2012, Jay was hired by then President Fred Zuckerman to serve as the first Communications Director for Local 89. Jay was one of the very first communication professionals to work directly for a Local Union, a trend that has since been followed by most larger Locals.

Jay was given Business Agent responsibilities in 2014 and 2015 when he took over several white paper (not attached to national agreements) contract shops in the Louisville and Southern Indiana areas. Jay later took on the responsibility of acting as the Agent for white paper shops in Bowling Green as well. During his time as a white paper Business Agent, Jay earned notoriety for his no-nonsense attitude towards negotiating contracts and his innate ability to cultivate shop-floor leaders. In negotiations, he harnessed rank-and-file power and frequently brought companies to the edge of a strike to secure significant gains for his members.

In all, Jay has negotiated over thirty contracts, including the recent Fire King contract – the strongest in the company’s history – after leading an incredibly successful twelve-week strike in which no union member crossed the picket line.

Jay will be joining current UPS Air Agents Brian Hamm, Craig Burns, Vinny Rivera, Ed Sageser, and Mike Rankin (maintenance only).