UPS Teamsters threaten strike if contract not reached by July 5

UPS Teamsters members are threatening to go on strike if the United Parcel Service cannot reach a deal with its 340,000 unionized employees by July 5. 

Unionized UPS members marched on Sunday in five states, carrying signs with the phrase: "Just practicing for a just contract."

Teamsters tweeted that it is continuing to put pressure on UPS to concede to the demands of union members, but "no one can doubt UPS Teamsters are ready to #strike if the delivery giant fails to meet those demands."

"The company pleaded for the opportunity to continue negotiating, pledging across the table to reach a deal no later than July 5 for 340,000 Teamster package delivery drivers and warehouse logistics workers nationwide," Teamsters said Friday.

Cesar Castro, a part-time UPS Teamster based in Los Angeles, said: "Every UPS Teamster expects this by July 5 or we will be ready to strike."

There has been some progress in negotiations over the weekend, however. 

On Saturday, the union came to an agreement with UPS on three major issues, including ending a two-tier wage system, establishing Martin Luther King Day as a full holiday and ending forced overtime on days off.

The agreement dramatically decreases the possibility of a nationwide strike,  per Bloomberg.

Under the previous wage system, part-time drivers made $5 an hour less than full-time drivers, who could make up to $39 an hour as their top rate.

Madeleine Hubbard is an international correspondent for Just the News. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.