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IMPACT
OF UPS STRIKE It's "a mess...with UPS, we knew it [a part] would arrive in 2-3 days." But now, with freight lost in transit, Imperial parts store owner, Dan Briggs, and employee, Diane Rogers, are not having an easy time filling orders. They report that it takes about three times longer to get orders through freight handlers other than UPS. Big A has had to reorder some parts. They know they are duplicating orders, but recognize the need to fill their customers' demands. This costs time and money. Rogers expressed her gratitude that local UPS driver, Bob Putz of McCook, continued to deliver the packages that had arrived at the McCook warehouse. Other Imperial area businesses are inconvenienced in waiting for orders to be filled, reporting that they are anxious to get back to the regular, on-time deliveries they have always experienced with UPS. One business store owner commented that he has been picking up more packages through the Post Office. The Post Office does notice an increase in packages, both received and going out. Chase County Hospital, according to Betty Lee of central supply, has not experienced any great problems. Most essential deliveries (e.g.- blood, I.V. solutions, and drugs) generally come by courier. Vendors generally ask about the timeliness of the order and will try to get supplies to the hospital as quickly as possible. It is also possible to send someone to North Platte for supplies, if there is a pressing need. Colleen Kinder is at the J.C. Penney store in Imperial, which is the FedEx pick-up point, and said that FedEx has been "swamped." She has had to limit the size of FedEx packages to the size of the drop box. The strikers and the UPS company itself are suffering. Suppliers are finding alternative shippers. While some alternatives may be slower and arrive at more inconvenient times, goods are still being delivered. However, while most are inconvenienced by the strike, some area citizens report very little sympathy for the strikers and labor unions in general. Many Imperial citizens are saying that they cannot understand what problems UPS workers, either full- or part-time, would have with $19.00/hour (plus benefits) jobs. Many jobs start at $5.00 an hour, are part-time, and have limited benefits, if any. Major employers offer benefits, but hourly wage workers earn an average of $5.00 an hour for part-time and $11.00 an hour for full-time. Starting wage for a part-time city job is about $7.00 an hour. Agribusiness employees earn approximately $6.00 to $9.00 an hour. Because Sodbuster wishes to become an interactive magazine for its readers, please feel free to utilize our discussion area ("Hogwash"). We would like to know your experiences with and thoughts on the recent UPS strike…and labor unions, in general. |
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