The present invention is a method for increasing the melt strength of a polyethylene resin comprising reacting the polyethylene resin with an alkoxy amine derivative corresponding to the formula: (R1)(R2)N—O—R3 where R1 and R2 are each independently of one another, hydrogen, C4-C42 alkyl or C4-C42 aryl or substituted hydrocarbon groups comprising O and/or N, and where R1 and R2 may form a ring structure together; and where R3 is hydrogen, a hyrdrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising O and/or N. Preferred groups for R3 include —C1-C19alkyl; —C6-C10aryl; —C2-C19akenyl; —O—C1-C19alkyl; —O—C6-C10aryl; —NH—C1-C19alkyl; —NH—C6-C10aryl; —N—(C1-C19alkyl)2. R3 most preferably contains an acyl group.