6A The Michigan Daily Wednesday, September 3, 1997 UPS strike slows textbook process By Maria Hackett Daily Staff Reporter Striking United Parcel Service workers this summer threatened the back-to-school tradition of loading back- packs with books and supplies for the first day of class- es. Many bookstores around campus rely on UPS to deliver texts in time for student book rush. But this year, UPS workers who struck for higher wages, more full- time jobs and control of their pension fund may have slowed books en route to Ann Arbor for the fall book rush. Local bookstore owners said the strike ended before major delays occurred. "Had it gone on longer than that by about a week, it would have had a major impact," said Dave Richard, Ulrich's store manager. "It ended soon enough that we got everything in on time. Once it ended, within three or four days, everything was back to normal." However, some students said they are still seeing the results of the halt in shipping. "A lot of people on our hall have been having to wait because things are on backorder," said LSA first-year student Kelley Mellenthin. Many store owners said the strike did not affect sales because it occurred in the traditionally slow summer months. "Since they broke before rush started, we didn't have a problem keeping up," said Chris St. Jean, store man- ager at the Michigan Union Bookstore. "At this point, I don't think UPS is a problem." Knowledge of the impending strike also helped stores deal with the problem. "We knew it was coming, so we ordered as early as we could," said Hobert Taylor, a textbook manager at Shaman Drum Bookstore. But other local bookstore representatives said stu- dents can expect longer lines for longer periods of time because of the August strike. "I think (the book rush) will have to be longer. It used to be two or three days before class, but with stuff not coming in, it could go on another week," said Irv Scheel, textbook manager at Michigan Book and Supply. Even stores that rarely use UPS faced some delays. "It slowed things up because our normal delivery ser- vice was overloaded - we always order from (another service)," Taylor said. Scheel said this year's book haul is the slowest in 30 years - but for reasons that have nothing to do with UPS. Many store owners cite late orders by professors as the main cause for delay. "We can only order once professors have told us what they want," Taylor said. Taylor also said some of the publishers that are nor- mally slow were using the strike as an excuse to provide even slower service. Most of the stores now have everything they ordered, Taylor said. Shaman Drum has at least 80 percent of the texts in stock, and the stores receive more cartons of books every day. "We're pulling as long of shifts as we can," Scheel said. LSA first-year student Esi Akaah said although she was having difficulty finding books, the strike was not to blame. "It happened awhile ago, and things got back on track pretty quick afterwards," Akaah said. Other students said demand for books always makes finding the right texts difficult. "I think it's just supply and demand," said LSA first- year student Jodi Tepper. "There's just too many people that need books." Others think that the strike could have caused more problems. "I know how they got backed up,' said Engineering junior Chad Malec. "It could have been a lot worse. That would have been really scary." JONATHAN SUMMER/Da1iy Ulrich's employees Anthony Lanni (front) and George Rabick worked all weekend attempting to organize the packages arriving from UPS. P-' on !,,av-u vi T/^IT