Threat of UPS strike looms, but one LI firm stands ready to serve

A UPS strike would bring a new set of economic pressures on the businesses that rely on its shipping services. And experts say it would put logistical challenges on the shipping companies that are called on to fill the void.

But one company, Long Beach-based Trellus, says it is ready to pick up that slack for ground delivery in its expanding service footprint. The company, which launched in 2021 to serve Long Island, now provides deliveries for small businesses across Westchester County, where it opened a new office, and by request into New York City, Southern Connecticut and New Jersey.

“We have a waiting list of more than 30 drivers, and 100 active drivers, and 15 people in the office – all of whom wear many hats,” Adam Haber, Trellus CEO and co-founder, told LIBN.

That service may come in handy amid the threat of a looming strike. On Wednesday, contract negotiations between UPS and the union representing 340,000 of the company’s workers broke down, with each side blaming the other for walking away from talks.

The Teamsters have imposed several deadlines for United Parcel Service negotiators to make their “last, best and final” offer to its unionized workers in recent days. Union officials said Wednesday that UPS “walked away from the bargaining table after presenting an unacceptable offer,” specifically with regard to the economic package.

UPS told a different story. The package delivery company said it was the Teamsters who abandoned negotiations, “despite UPS’s historic offer that builds on our industry-leading pay.”

Now, Haber said, he is offering a backup for companies that need that regional delivery service.

Trellus, he said, provides “UPS serve at the price of DoorDash delivery.”

He said the company is used to scaling up as needed. There are times, he said, when he makes the  deliveries when the firm’s services are in high demand, such as around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Some drivers make “$400 a day if business is cranking,” Haber said.

Still, he said a UPS strike would be “devastating” to commerce for the Long Island businesses that use its services, Haber said.

Meanwhile, talks are at a stalemate with the end of the contract — midnight on July 31 — rapidly approaching. And while some may watch for last minute contract negotiations at the 11^th hour, others are seeking steps to minimize a strike’s impact.

FedEx, for example has put out a statement noting that companies looking to shift its delivery service are  “encouraged to begin shipping with FedEx now,” according to published reports.

In Long Beach, the sales, marketing and tech team members of Trellus are keeping busy, as they remind clients and prospects that the company of the company’s services.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. 

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