UPS drivers’ pay packet revealed and it’s got Amazon drivers wanting to quit their jobs
Two drivers employed by the Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program are expressing concerns after UPS drivers secured what was described as ‘industry-leading pay and benefits’ through a five-year deal with the Teamsters Union in August. This deal, covering all 340,000 UPS package handlers and delivery drivers, included substantial raises, with full-time driver salaries reaching around $170,000 annually in pay and benefits.
In contrast, Amazon DSP drivers have not been included in this agreement, leading to dissatisfaction and concerns among some of them. The disparity in pay and benefits has sparked discussions among Amazon DSP drivers, with some considering the possibility of leaving for UPS.
The situation has been exacerbated by online jokes, particularly on a Reddit thread titled ‘AmazonDSPDrivers,’ where one post shared a Twitter post by @HeroDividend mocking an Amazon DSP driver. The post described an encounter with a UPS driver who allegedly responded with, “Sorry, I don’t speak broke,” when greeted by the Amazon DSP driver.
Jordan Talmon, a 24-year-old Amazon DSP driver in Arkansas, expressed his contemplation of leaving his position despite a recent raise from $17 to $18 per hour, which he finds unsatisfactory compared to UPS driver compensation.
Hunter Deaver, another Amazon DSP driver, started at $16.50 per hour and now earns $18.50 per hour. He has heard discussions among drivers considering a move to UPS, particularly during the holiday season. Deaver emphasized that Amazon will need to decide whether to retain quality drivers or face potential departures.
In response, an Amazon spokesperson clarified that it is the DSPs, not Amazon directly, that determine driver pay. They noted that driver pay is set by DSPs, subject to a minimum pay standard established through contracts with each DSP. Amazon actively audits DSPs to ensure compliance with minimum pay and other contractual requirements.
