A Wake-up Call for Business: The Teamsters' win means that workers can no longer be taken for granted

On August 19, 1997, the Teamsters pulled off a surprise victory in their battle with UPS, winning on core demands for higher wages, better pay for part-time workers, and more full-time jobs. More important than the union victory is the way the Teamsters' campaign captured what seems to be a new mood in America. For the first time in nearly 2 decades, the public sided with a union, even though its walkout caused major inconveniences. Polls showed the public supported the striking UPS workers by a 2-to-1 margin over management. After a 6-year economic expansion that has created record corporate profits and vast wealth for investors, Americans are questioning why so many of their countrymen are not getting a bigger piece of the pie.