UPS ripped off seasonal workers with unfair pay practices, lawsuit alleges
A lawsuit alleges UPS underpaid seasonal workers by forcing unpaid work and deducting pay for un-taken breaks, totaling approximately $45 million.Summary
New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against UPS, alleging the company defrauded seasonal workers out of tens of millions of dollars in wages over the past six years. The lawsuit claims UPS “repeatedly and persistently” failed to properly compensate driver helpers and seasonal support drivers by forcing them to work off the clock and deducting pay for lunch breaks they did not take. James estimates the total wage theft amounts to around $45 million, affecting tens of thousands of workers. The suit seeks back pay, penalties, and a court order to change UPS’s timekeeping and payroll practices.
UPS denies the allegations, stating they offer “industry-leading pay and benefits” and are committed to following all applicable laws. The investigation began in 2023 after concerns were raised by Teamsters Local 804, who noted that while top management’s involvement isn’t confirmed, the practices suggest a deliberate oversight.
UPS, which delivered 22.4 million packages daily and generated $91.1 billion in revenue last year, employs seasonal workers temporarily from October to January. Attorney General James emphasized the importance of recognizing the struggles of these workers during the holiday season, stating, “We oftentimes don’t think of these workers when we’re opening up our gifts for the holidays.”
(Source：Nbc 7 San Diego)