United Parcel Service is planning to close at least 22 packaging facilities across 18 states this year. According to a court filing dated Feb. 13, plans include the closure of facilities in Texas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, and several other states.
“We’re well into the largest U.S. network reconfiguration in UPS history, creating a nimbler, more efficient operation by modernizing our facilities and matching our size and resources to support growth initiatives,” a UPS spokesperson told Fast Company about the closures. “Some positions will be affected, though most changes are expected to occur through attrition. We’re committed to supporting our people throughout this process.”
The closures will directly affect members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In response, the Teamsters have filed a lawsuit over a planned voluntary buyout program which they say violates its contract.
In a statement, the Teamsters have said that they have “detailed at least six violations of its National Master Agreement by UPS in the rollout of the buyout program, including direct dealing of new contracts with workers, elimination of union jobs when UPS contractually agreed to establish more positions, and erosion of the rights and privileges of union shop stewards, among other charges.”
“For the second time in six months, UPS has proven it doesn’t care about the law, has no respect for its contract with the Teamsters, and is determined to try to screw our members out of their hard-earned money,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien, in comments included in the statement.
A UPS spokesperson told Fast Company that the company is “disappointed” in the response.
“The world is changing, and the rate of change is accelerating,” UPS stated. “As we navigate these changes and continue to reshape our network, our drivers appreciate having choices, including the option to make a career change or retire earlier than planned.”
Here’s a list of the facilities marked for closure:
Jamieson Park facility in Spokane, Washington
Chalk Hill facility in Dallas, Texas
Jacksonville, Illinois
Rockdale, Illinois
Devils Lake, North Dakota
Laramie, Wyoming
Pendleton, Oregon
North Hills, California
Las Vegas North in Las Vegas, Nevada
Quad Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Ashland, Massachusetts
Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts
Miami Downtown Air in Miami, Florida
Camden, Arkansas
Blytheville, Arkansas
Kosciusko, Mississippi
Atlanta Hub in Atlanta, Georgia
Columbia Hub in West Columbia, South Carolina
Kinston, North Carolina
Austinburg, Ohio
Cadillac, Michigan