One of the most contentious union contract battles in decades is entering its final weeks at United Parcel Service (UPS). Teamster General President James P. Hoffa has pulled out all stops to ratify contracts at UPS and UPS Freight in the face of opposition across the country.

Campaigning by Hoffa and opponents led by Teamsters United and Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) will continue down to the deadline for voting on October 5th at 8:00 PM EST, and the results will be announced that night. Teamster activists I’ve spoken to predict a close vote at the much larger UPS package division. They also predict that the separately negotiated national UPS Freight contract will be defeated. Balloting materials were mailed out to UPS Teamsters last week.

There is much at stake for all sides involved in the current contract battle. The latest contract proposals continues Hoffa’s two-decade reign of weakening the union and working conditions at UPS and UPS Freight. A strong “no” vote by the rank and file will send a message that UPS Teamsters are willing to fight. Whether Hoffa will listen is a separate issue.