TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – Officials with the Teamsters Resident Union No. 104 said Thursday they think 36 people working a UPS warehouse in Tucson have actually checked positive for COVID-19, 3 of whom have been admitted to extensive care units.
The union stated in a news release the company is hiring staff members from New Mexico, Colorado and Utah to the Tucson facility to “make up for disruptions related to the break out.”
Matthew O’Connor, a spokesperson for UPS, verified Thursday the company is working with due to demand in Tucson. O’Connor sent KOLD News 13 this statement:
” UPS takes pride in our employees who are safely serving our customers and neighborhoods, providing life-saving products and standard needs each day. Because the pandemic began, people have actually counted on UPS more than ever previously, and our employees have actually responded with enthusiasm and commitment. To assist fulfill the increased need for residential deliveries during this time, UPS is working with some extra staff members in Tucson for all shifts and throughout all job types. Our greatest priority stays the health and safety of our workers, consumers, and providers.”
Teamsters Local Union No. 104 thinks almost 700 UPS employees and family members might be at danger of direct exposure to the unique coronavirus and clients might see a boost in delivery delays.
Numerous audiences contacted us about delivery hold-ups. When we connected to UPS, the company would just say that extreme weather, natural catastrophes, and other conditions “beyond our control” can sometimes disrupt services.
Other viewers told us about a possible break out at the facility at Silverlake and Park, but the company would not verify anything.
” These are just the ones we know of,” Karla Schumann, the primary officer and secretary-treasurer for the union, said. “We try to keep each other up to speed regarding what we know when it connects to positives.”
Schumann stated, progressing with its COVID-19 reaction, the company needs to be more aggressive when it concerns testing, contact tracing and separating possibly infected staff members.
” I would ask that they handle this in an aggressive way, that they mandate testing. I would like for them to enhance their contract tracing. They are passing the bare minimum of the CDC guidelines,” Schumann stated. “I would like for them to offer relief to the people who are doing this day in and day out for them.”
Union authorities plan to resolve their conc