UNLOCKED: Retaliation at UPS

The Upsurge

Originally published on March 30, 2023

On Dan Arlin's second day back as a package car delivery driver at UPS, after a three-year stint driving tractor-trailer trucks, he was fired – without explanation – and walked off company property. The 23-year veteran of UPS is a pro at his job. He knew he had done nothing wrong, but the company didn't like one thing: his union activism.

Harassment and retaliation is a way of life at UPS. After he was fired in March 2022, Arlin was committed to getting his job back. And indeed, fighting tooth and nail for eleven months, Arlin was finally reinstated on Valentines day this year.

In this bonus episode of The Upsurge, we dug into Arlin's remarkable story, which is one of both pain and perseverance, struggle and solidarity.

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Hosted by Teddy Ostrow

Edited by Teddy Ostrow & Ruby Walsh

Produced by NYGP & Ruby Walsh

Music by Casey Gallagher

Cover art by Devlin Claro Resetar

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Show Notes

• Teddy Ostrow, "Is UPS Retaliating Against Union Activists?" The Nation, September 27, 2022.
• The "Bi-Weekly Grievance" Show, YouTube channel.
• Roswell Hub's interviews with Dan Arlin: Part One and Part Two.