Be Ready for Your OJS

When management gets on your truck, their goal is to get information they can use to harass you and push you to work faster. Protect yourself by preparing for the ride and documenting it afterwards.

This page can help you get ready. Watch our webinar, read tips below, then scroll to our toolkit for practical resources to protect yourself and empower members.

Before the Ride

24 hour notice. Under the new contract, management must give you at least 24 hours notice before the ride along. Use that time to prepare for your ride. If management doesn't provide the 24-hour notice, file a grievance.

Bring everything that you need. Make sure to have an OJS tracking sheet or notebook to document everything that takes place during the ride. To challenge an OJS as the basis for establishing a fair day’s work, you must be able to demonstrate how it was different from a normal day.

Complete your pre-trip routine. Verify your air, make sure you have driver release bags, grab your info notices, check your tires and lights, and complete everything else that you normally would before a day on the job.

During the Ride

Keep your same routine as normal. Work at a safe, sustainable pace. It’s natural to feel pressured to speed up with a supervisor on your truck. Don’t rush or take shortcuts.

Do your complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

Follow the methods and focus on working at a safe pace throughout the day.

Completely stretch at your first delivery stop and at the end of your meal period.

Follow the posted speed limit at all times, including on UPS property and in other parking lots.

Wear your seatbelt and use three points of contact when entering or exiting the vehicle.

Use proper body mechanics when lifting. Get close to the package. Bend with the knees.

Back only when necessary. Scan and size up the area before backing. If in doubt, get out and look. Tap your horn repeatedly to signal your intentions.

Walk on walkways and driveways in residential areas. Don’t cut across the grass.

Send messages on the DIAD as you normally would. Don’t take shortcuts from your normal routine that will artificially inflate your numbers.

After the Ride

Complete an OJS Tracking Sheet to document your day. Download it or use the online version. To challenge an OJS as the basis for establishing a fair day’s work, you must be able to demonstrate how it was different from a normal day.

Make note of anything different from a usual day that might inflate your numbers or slow you down. Make sure to document off the clock.

You have a right to all documentation from the ride. If management does try to write you up for production, file a grievance and ask your steward to file an information request.

After route review. If you’re called into the office for an after-route review, bring your steward.

OJS Rights and Wrongs

Supervisors are not allowed to help you at all during the ride, not even to tell you where to park or drive. If the supervisor assists you in any way, take notes and challenge the OJS with a grievance.

You have the right to use the bathroom when you need to, just like on any other day. Don’t let the supervisor discourage you from using the bathroom or try to limit you from going only on break time.

You have the right to get a drink if you’re thirsty. Follow UPS methods to stay hydrated.

You have the right to work without distractions. If the supervisor talks to you while you’re driving you have the right to inform them that their actions are distracting and are unsafe to yourself and the general public.

You have the right to work safely. If the supervisor walks on your heels, you have the right to stop and respectfully tell them that you are working with urgency and purpose but also need space to perform your job safely.

You have the right to work free of harassment. If you are over-supervised or harassed, document it.

Work now, grieve later. If they tell you to violate the methods, ask them, “Are you instructing me to not follow the methods?” If they insist, it’s better to document the interference than to face discipline for insubordination.

You have the right to do bargaining unit work. If the supervisor handles packages, opens doors, or assists you in any way, then the OJS cannot be used in determining a fair day’s work.