Well, UPS and the Teamsters union have reached a tentative deal on a new contract, potentially avoiding one of the largest strikes in U.S. history.

One, experts say, would have crippled the supply chain.

Both the delivery company and the union representing some 300,000 workers are calling the contract agreement "historic".

Under the tentative five year deal, worker pay will increase by $2.75 an hour this year and by $7.50 an hour over the length of the contract.

Current part-time UPS workers will make at least $21 an hour, which is double the amount negotiated in the previous UPS Teamsters contract.

Union President Sean O'Brien today said the deal sets a new standard in the labor movement.

It comes as workers are becoming increasingly empowered with unionized nurses, teachers, actors and writers, striking some for the first time in decades.

And as UPS and autoworkers threaten to walkouts and authorized strikes

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