As UPS secures ‘industry-leading pay and benefits,’ Amazon drivers contemplate career shifts

In a labor landscape where competitive wages and benefits are becoming paramount, UPS drivers have emerged as frontrunners, securing a groundbreaking deal that sets a new standard in the industry. However, the reverberations of this success are now echoing among Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) drivers, who find themselves excluded from similar perks.

In August of this year, United Parcel Service (UPS) inked a five-year deal with the Teamsters Union, garnering praise for setting a new benchmark in the labor movement. The agreement entailed raises for all 340,000 package handlers and delivery drivers, with full-time driver salaries reaching around $170,000 annually in pay and benefits.

While UPS CEO Carol Tomé celebrated the agreement, stating it continued to reward employees with industry-leading pay and benefits, Amazon DSP drivers are grappling with a different reality. Two drivers based in Arkansas, reflecting on their situation, are now contemplating whether to jump ship to UPS.

Amazon DSP drivers not only missed out on the UPS-Teamster Union deal but have also found themselves targeted in online jokes, notably on a Reddit thread titled ‘AmazonDSPDrivers.’ A post on the thread shared a tweet by @HeroDividend, recounting an encounter with a UPS driver who allegedly said, “Sorry, I don’t speak broke.”

Amazon DSP driver Jordan Talmon, who makes $18 an hour, expressed his concerns, stating, “Seems kind of pitiful compared to UPS.” Talmon, who has been with Amazon since May, is now contemplating leaving despite a recent $1 hourly raise.

Fellow Amazon DSP driver Hunter Deaver, who started at $16.50 per hour and now earns $18.50 an hour, noted a growing sentiment among drivers considering a shift to UPS, especially during the holiday season. Deaver emphasized that Amazon will need to decide whether they want to retain quality drivers.

In response, an Amazon spokesperson clarified that driver pay is determined by DSPs, subject to a minimum pay standard outlined in contracts with each DSP. They assured active auditing to ensure compliance with minimum pay and other contractual requirements.

As the dialogue around driver compensation intensifies, the spotlight remains on how companies navigate these evolving standards to attract and retain skilled drivers in a competitive market.