Latest news with #SeanM
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
UPS Cutting Staff: What Move Means for Your Deliveries
Produced [by our journalists] with financial support from an organization or individual that did not approve or review the work. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. United Parcel Service (UPS) is laying off thousands of front-line employees and shuttering dozens of facilities as part of what it calls the "largest network reconfiguration" in company history. UPS confirmed Thursday that it would be offering voluntary buyouts to its union-represented U.S. drivers for the first time as part of this sweeping restructuring effort, aimed at increasing efficiency in response to a decline in package volumes. Why It Matters UPS is the largest courier in the country, delivering an estimated 19 million packages in the U.S. every day. The leaner workforce could impact UPS's operational capacity and affect the businesses and everyday customers who rely on its services. However, the company has expressed its continued commitment to ensuring the same level of service and confidence in its ability to navigate changing industry trends. The job cuts and buyout plan—which has sparked a confrontation with the Teamsters Union, representing over 300,000 UPS employees—are taking place against a backdrop of shifting trade dynamics that have created uncertainty across global supply chains. What To Know In April, UPS announced that it would be cutting 20,000 jobs and shuttering 73 facilities in 2025 as part of its ongoing "Network Reconfiguration and Efficiency Reimagined" initiative, which aims to streamline the business through automation and consolidation of its U.S. operations. The announcement followed earlier news that UPS would be reducing reliance on Amazon as a customer and experiencing a decline in shipping as a result. In January, UPS unveiled this "glide down" plan to cut transported order volumes with the e-commerce giant "more than 50 percent by the second half of 2026." A UPS driver makes a delivery in the Brooklyn borough of New York on March 26, 2024. A UPS driver makes a delivery in the Brooklyn borough of New York on March 26, 2024. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images On Thursday, UPS announced that it would be offering voluntary buyouts to full-time drivers as part of its "largest network reconfiguration" ever. "We are looking to offer our full-time U.S. drivers the opportunity to participate in a voluntary program that would provide an opportunity to receive a generous financial package if they choose to leave UPS," the Atlanta-based company said in a statement shared with Newsweek. In addition to this unspecified payout, drivers would also receive earned retirement benefits, including pensions and health care. Sean M. O'Brien, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, called the plan "an illegal violation" of the contract it struck with UPS in 2023 to create 22,500 jobs over five years. "UPS is trying to weasel its way out of creating good union jobs here in America by dangling insulting buyouts in front of Teamsters drivers," O'Brien said on Thursday. UPS told Newsweek it remains "committed" to the agreements reached with the Teamsters Union in 2023 and that it has approached the union regarding the matter. Newsweek also reached out to the Teamsters Union via for comment. Will UPS Restructuring Impact Deliveries? While it did not comment on how the restructuring process would impact deliveries and delivery times, UPS told Newsweek: "As we work through our network reconfiguration, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing our customers with the reliable, industry-leading service they expect from UPS." As well as the increased incorporation of automation into its business, the layoffs are motivated by the planned decline in Amazon shipping volumes, according to UPS. As a result, the decrease in staffing could be balanced by a reduced workload, therefore preventing major interruptions to customers' shipments. In April, Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes said the layoffs and closures were "in line with the total Amazon volume decline," adding that package volumes from Amazon had already dropped by more than had been expected during the first quarter. While sizeable, the cuts announced in April will also only affect slightly more than four percent of UPS's 490,000-strong workforce. Given the recency of the announcement, it remains unclear how many employees will accept this buyout offer or whether union resistance could force UPS to scale back its restructuring plans. What Happens Next? UPS has not announced a timeline for when union drivers will receive formal buyout offers. Labor tensions are expected to persist as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters signals further resistance. No specific disruptions have yet been confirmed as a result of the layoffs, though U.S. consumers and businesses may see changes in delivery operations as the restructuring unfolds.
The Hill
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
UPS offering buyouts to delivery drivers
The United Parcel Service (UPS) said on Thursday that it is offering buyouts to full-time U.S. delivery drivers as part of the company's 'largest network reconfiguration' ever. 'As we navigate an unprecedented business landscape, we are executing the largest network reconfiguration in UPS history,' the Atlanta-based company said in a statement. 'For the first time ever, in recognition of these unique circumstances, we are looking to offer our full-time U.S. drivers the opportunity to participate in a voluntary program that would provide an opportunity to receive a generous financial package if they choose to leave UPS,' the company added. The financial package that will be available to the drivers will be in addition to 'any earned retirement benefits, including pension and healthcare,' according to UPS. The company added that each driver 'would have the ability to decide if this voluntary program is beneficial to their family and the plans they have for their future.' The International Brotherhood of Teamsters President Sean M. O'Brien said UPS's buyout plan is 'an illegal violation' of the contract the union struck with the company that undercuts its agreement to create 22,500 more jobs. 'UPS is trying to weasel its way out of creating good union jobs here in America by dangling insulting buyouts in front of Teamsters drivers,' O'Brien said in a statement on Thursday. UPS said on Thursday that it had approached the union regarding the buyouts and that the company remains 'committed to the agreements we reached in 2023, as part of our contract negotiations.' UPS said in late April that it would cut around 20,000 jobs this year as part of a plan to lower costs and improve efficiency. In August 2023, UPS offered buyouts to pilots as demand dropped.
Boston Globe
03-07-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Trash pickup delayed in Mass. towns as waste collection workers' strike drags on
A Advertisement Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Of the 14 towns Republic listed as affected by the strike, only Representatives of 12 affected towns sent a letter to Republic on Thursday urging a swift return to the bargaining table and requesting the company's presence at a meeting Thursday afternoon. Advertisement The letter states that the towns have seen a lack of timely communication and delays in backup resources being deployed by Republic while trash pileup causes public health worries. 'Reliable curbside waste and recycling collection is an essential public service,' the letters said, 'and this disruption has had significant ripple effects throughout our communities.' The Teamsters union is blaming Republic for the work stoppage. Wages, benefits, working conditions, and paid time off are the sticking points in negotiations, according the union. 'If your rubbish is piling up on the Fourth of July, remember who's responsible for it: the white-collar criminals who run Republic Services,' said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien in a statement on Tuesday. 'Republic Teamsters didn't start this fight, but we will finish it. Our members will do whatever it takes to finally get the respect they're owed.' Republic said in a statement that its Greater Boston employees receive 'competitive wages, an industry-leading healthcare plan, pension plan and a generous time-off and holiday plan.' 'We value our employees and entered negotiations intending to raise wages,' the company said. Tensions have been high on the picket lines. In the early hours of the Revere picket line on Tuesday, striking workers blocked the gates into and out of the facility multiple times. In a statement, Republic alleged the striking workers vandalized vehicles and harassed employees. A Republic manager told police striking workers keyed and slashed tires on Republic rental vehicles entering the facility at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to a police report. Advertisement 'Officers that were on scene at that time were engaged with strikers and did not witness the reported property damage occurring,' Maria A. LaVita, interim Chief of Police, said in a statement. Striking workers picketing in Revere on Wednesday morning said they were hopeful an agreement would be reached quickly, but the day came and went with no resolution. Republic said in a statement that the union 'did not match our willingness to achieve a new contract' in Wednesday's negotiations with a federal mediator present. The company said it presented terms addressing the union's interests, and the union rejected them without a counter proposal. The union did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Stella Tannenbaum can be reached at
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
DJ Sean M: Meet Ireland's youngest ever festival DJ
DJ Sean M (Seán Meenaghan) is only 11 years old, but he's already spinning the decks at major Irish music festivals. In May, he made his festival debut at Greenfields, and this summer he'll be playing bangers at Beyond the Pale (Saturday and Sunday) and at the Kaleidoscope Festival (Friday evening set). A 5th class student at Colmcille's Senior School in Knocklyon, Seán's journey began before he could even spell turntable - climbing up to reach his dad's decks when he was still a toddler! Florence from RTÉ's news2day went to Seán's school and partied hard! Press play up top to see the report. Seán says: "When I was very young about 3 years old my father would bring in a step so that I was able to reach his decks. Since then I have practiced nearly every day I can remember. I got my very own set of Pioneer decks last Christmas and I'm very proud of them. "My family have gone to Ibiza every summer since I was born. I just love the dance scene over there, my favourite part is going to Cafe Mambo where I have seen Fatboy Slim, Claptone and many more. "It was just the most amazing experience at my school, I got to share my talent with all my school friends - most of them have never seen me play my decks before. It was great to see them all have so much fun and enjoy the music in the sunshine." Now armed with his own Pioneer setup and backed by the powerhouse platform NOISE Music, DJ Sean M has a growing list of gigs under his belt and a serious passion for the decks. DJ Sean M's Top 5 Dance Tunes Solarstone - Seven Cities The Prophet- CJ Bolland Wide Open Space - Mansun (Perfecto Mix) Silence - Delerium Heaven Sent - Bedrock His sound is rooted in House, Progressive House, and Trance, inspired by annual trips to the electronic music mecca of Ibiza. With energy, talent, and a deep love for dance music, DJ Sean M is proving that age is just a number when it comes to lighting up the dancefloor. Follow Seán on the festival circuit on Instagram (Managed by his mam Susan!) and make sure to head over to see him wherever he is playing.
Irish Independent
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Beyond the Pale child-friendly line-up to feature rap workshops
Taking place at the stunning Glendalough Estate from June 13 to 15, the festival's curated line-up of family-friendly activities includes The Kabin Studio with GMC Beats (Kabin Crew), who will host an interactive rap workshop with rap and songwriting lessons. Aerial and high-flying acrobatics from Hi Pony! will mesmerise children and adults alike, while young minds will be buzzing at a lino printing workshop where kids of all ages can print their own flags and bunting. A rising talent in the trance/house scene who is renowned for his exceptional mixes, 11-year-old DJ Sean M is the youngest DJ (by far!) playing Beyond the Pale this year and makes his festival debut at Baby Rave, a rave in the forest for kids during the day! Festival organisers will announce the big-name DJs from the BTP line-up who will be playing kid-friendly DJ sets at the afternoon rave-in-the-woods. Also in the programme is Bee-ology, which weaves together juggling, storytelling, dance, puppetry and a love of all things living to create a funny, heart-warming and interactive outdoor circus show for young people and their hives. The TCD Current Chemistry Investigators will examine energy and building batteries – kids can even make their own batteries made from simple everyday materials. For budding artists and activists, the Art of Protest workshop will teach how to make mini murals and unique street art – all materials provided. At Go Fly Your Kite, a vibrant, family-friendly experience full of creativity and colour, kids can design their own kites before taking to the skies in a joyful celebration of imagination and outdoor fun. For Feasa na Foraoise, Bushy Park Forest School will lead a series of child-friendly workshops utilising the forest floor and everything that nature has to offer. Be prepared to get your hands dirty. You can get the whole family involved in Tailteann Tournaments, a campy collision of community, chaos, and craic with tug-of-war, hoops and many more games. As always, to delight young and old, The Vintage Carousel Company's funfair will feature a big wheel, chair-o-planes and other attractions all weekend long. Family tickets for BTP are €449 for two adults and two children, which includes access to the family/quiet campsite. Tickets for additional children (Under 12s) are €39 plus booking fee, and available at
