"$13 billion in profit and it's a shame that UPS does not want to share any of that to us hard workers."

UPS workers across the country are rallying for higher wages as an Aug. 1 strike deadline looms on the horizon. (WaPo)

What's happening? 340K+ UPS workers are gearing up to strike on Aug. 1 as they negotiate a new five-year contract. (WaPo)

The UPS's current labor contract expires on July 31; both parties have a week to negotiate a new contract. (WaPo)

What do the workers want? (Time) 🚚Higher wages for part-timers 🚚Shorter shifts during heat waves 🚚More full-time jobs

This summer's UPS strike has been months in the making: talks between UPS and the workers' union first opened in April.

In June, the UPS workers' Teamster union voted to authorize a strike, giving workers leverage in ongoing talks. (WaPo)

Contract negotiations fell apart on July 5 after Teamster union leaders rejected a wage offer from UPS. (WaPo)

According to the Washington Post, talks are set to resume next week between UPS and Teamster union representatives.

Union leaders were able to secure a few victories during initial talks in June, such as air conditioning in trucks. (WP)

What remains to be negotiated? The UPS has so far rejected union demands for better pay and benefits for part-timers. (WP)

100K+ Teamster union members are part-time employees, some of whom make about $15.50 per hour. (NYT)

Teamsters Pres. Sean O’Brien: "This is a fight we must win to protect the future of good-paying, dignified careers." (WaPo)

When was the last UPS strike? In 1997, 185K+ UPS workers went on strike, costing the company $600M+ over 15 days. (WaPo)

The UPS is integral to the U.S. economy: according to NY Mag, the company carries about 6% of U.S. GDP every day.