A UPS spokesman said the drivers knew their jobs were on the line when they chose to walk out.
The workers were protesting the firing of Jairo Reyes, a 24-year-employee and union activist, said Sylvester.
Several city politicians hope to bring both sides to the table for talks.
“These are middle class jobs that sustain families, and we can ill afford to have (so many) adversely affected by a rash decision,” said Public Advocate Letitia James, who’s written UPS a letter asking the company to abandon its hard-line approach. “We’ve given UPS breaks, particularly as it relates to this (parking) program,” James said. “They should not treat workers in this manner.”
One of the workers who faces dismissal just got back on the job following a near-fatal accident.
Domenick DeDomenico, 40, was in a coma for 10 days after getting hit by a car last year while delivering packages for UPS. He fought back from serious brain injuries and needed a year of speech and physical therapy.
Cleared to resume work on Jan. 17 , DeDomenico was threatened with dismissal by UPS even before he joined the Feb. 26 walkout.
“I wasn’t delivering as many packages as before I got hurt,” said the married dad. He used to clock in at 13 an hour, but now averages between 10 and 11.
“I said I was doing my best and they said I had been better before,” he said. “I said ‘Okay, this is my new best,’ and they said ‘It’s not good enough.’ ”