Everyone – massive news in the last hour: the Teamsters and UPS have come to a tentative deal. From CBS News: "The Teamsters called the tentative agreement ‘historic’ and ‘overwhelmingly lucrative.’ It includes, among other benefits, higher wages and air conditioning in delivery trucks."

You made a difference. WE made a difference. In case you don’t believe me: Just in the last week, you all sent over 3,000 emails to UPS CEO Carol Tome, urging UPS to come to a fair deal that included A/C. Negotiations only restarted this morning, and within hours, we have a deal.

Your voices and signatures mattered. This movement mattered. And lives will be saved because of it. 

Five years in the making, and it’s finally real. I can’t quite believe it. Over 300,000 union members will still need to vote to ratify the contract, but we’re closer than we’ve ever been. 

I encourage you to read this full article from our friends at NBC News, who did an investigative story on UPS almost 4 years ago. They interviewed  Norbert Rodriguez, a veteran UPS package car driver, who said: “The biggest win is finally getting the air-conditioned car. I work in Arizona. Today is gonna be 114 degrees. These conditions are getting tougher and tougher.”

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said in a statement: “We’ve changed the game, battling it out day and night to make sure our members won an agreement that pays strong wages, rewards their labor, and doesn’t require a single concession. This contract sets a new standard in the labor movement and raises the bar for all workers.”

Today represents a victory – for workers everywhere, and for the power of everyday people – like all of us – to make a difference.  

In solidarity, 
Theresa