The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is talking tough with Atlanta-based express carrier United Parcel Service (UPS) and Flint, MI-based car hauler Allied Automotive Group as it seeks to secure jobs, pensions and health care benefits for its members at those companies.

Though the National Master United Parcel Service Agreement, which covers more than 200,000 Teamsters at UPS, doesn’t expire until Aug. 1, 2008, the Teamsters have found 89% of its members working at UPS want the union to pursue early contract negotiations.

Ken Hall, director of the Teamsters’ Parcel and Small Package Division, said the union wants to use the survey results to goad UPS to start negotiations earlier than usual because “a permanent fix” is needed to solve “complex problems of pension and health security.” He noted that the union is now asking its members to sign petitions demanding that UPS come to the negotiating table early.

At Allied, Teamster Local 332 has unanimously approved a strike authorization against the vehicle-hauling company in the event that bankruptcy court allows it to reject its labor contracts. Nearly 5,000 Teamster members work for Allied, the largest motor carrier in North America specializing in the delivery of automobiles and light trucks.