On Behalf of Joe Incandela - Potential UPS Strike: Research Supplies & Deliveries

Dear Research Community,

The potential for a UPS strike next week could cause disruptions to campus research activity.

Researchers and labs are encouraged to plan for a possible UPS strike by taking into account increased lead times when ordering critical supplies, chemicals and gases to maintain research, safety and operations in the event of carrier delays.

Recommendations for mitigation planning have been provided by BFS Procurement Services below, and they are available for consultation.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: BFS Communications [NO REPLY] <communications@bfs.ucsb.edu>
Date: Tue, Jul 18, 2023 at 2:44 PM
Subject: [BFS News] Potential UPS Strike Mitigation Plans
To: BFS News Mailing List <news@bfs.ucsb.edu>

TO: Campus Community
FR: Jacob Godfrey, Chief Procurement Officer, Business & Financial Services
RE: Potential UPS Strike Mitigation Plans

We’re writing to make you aware of a potentially disruptive situation that will likely affect most campus departments, and of our proactive strategies to maintain continuous operations during this challenge. UCSB Procurement Services is working closely with our Distribution & Logistical Services staff to communicate the potential strike and ensure minimal delay or loss of critical goods as outlined in the actions below.

UCSB Procurement Services Actions Summary:

1. Gateway Shopping Platform: Banner advising campus of the potential strike (posted 7/14/2023).
2. Distribution & Logistical Services: Homepage announcement of potential strike (posted 7/14/2023).
3. Procurement Services: Homepage announcement of potential strike (posted 7/17/2023).
4. Signage posted at University Center Post Office, UPS Drop Boxes, and Distribution & Logistical Services warehouse (posted 7/17/2023).
5. Distribution to BFS News Listserv and to Campus D-LIST on behalf of BFS, Procurement Service CPO (sent out by 7/18/2023).
6. Procurement Services and Distribution & Logistical Services will continue to partner and provide updates to campus as timely as possible, as well as meet weekly with UCOP Procurement for strike status updates.

Potential UPS Strike as of August 1

There is a strong potential for a strike by UPS represented staff upon their contract expiration on August 1, 2023. Negotiations are ongoing but if unfruitful, UPS workers are likely to strike as of that date.

Greenlighting Specific Suppliers
Systemwide Procurement is in the process of identifying systemwide suppliers without UPS exposure or with adequate mitigation plans in place to greenlight them for continued use in case a strike does occur. It appears all other suppliers are aware of this potential strike and work with alternative carriers to avoid disruption to deliveries.

Inbound Delivery and Outbound Shipping Recommendations
As of July 17, to avoid delivery problems with critical inbound goods, any orders/purchases should be routed through alternate available delivery services, like FedEx, USPS, DHL, etc. (usually, suppliers determine shipping options but if there is a choice, any staff purchasing goods should avoid UPS).

Also, our campus will remain in communication with local UPS account managers about UPS mitigation plans in case of a strike.

Managing Expectations
UPS owns approximately 40% of the market share of global delivery services so please be aware that all suppliers and purchasing outlets will be transitioning to alternate carriers if there is a strike. We expect delays will occur with all shipping sources due to capacity challenges. During this time, all campus staff should be advised to only purchase critical items to avoid overtaxing these alternate services.

Thank you,

Jacob Godfrey, Chief Procurement Officer
Calli Price, Procurement Service Manager
Jamie Wheat, Business Services Manager
Danny Mann, Associate Director Distributions & Logistics Services