Topics: US News, Amazon, Money, Reddit, Social Media
Two drivers who work for an Amazon Delivery Service Partner programme have spoken out after UPS drivers secured 'industry leading pay and benefits'.
Earlier this year in August, United Parcel Service (UPS) agreed to a five-year deal with the Teamsters Union, setting 'a new standard in the labor movement'.
And sadly, some Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) drivers aren't feeling quite the same love.
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The deal between UPS and the Teamsters Union saw all 340,000 package handlers and delivery drivers of the supply chain company receive raises - with full-time driver salaries making 'about $170,000 annually in pay and benefits'.
UPS CEO Carol Tomé said as per a press release at the time: "This agreement continues to reward UPS's full- and part-time employees with industry-leading pay and benefits while retaining the flexibility we need to stay competitive, serve our customers and keep our business strong."
Teamsters President Sean O'Brien added: "We've changed the game, battling it out day and night to make sure our members won an agreement that pays strong wages, rewards their labor, and doesn't require a single concession. This contract sets a new standard in the labor movement and raises the bar for all workers."
And while this was great news for UPS drivers, two Amazon Delivery Service Partner (DSP) drivers based in Arkansas are now questioning whether they should jump ship.
Unfortunately for Amazon DSP drivers, not only have they not been included in the UPS-Teamster Union's agreement, but they've also found themselves at the butt end of online jokes, particularly on a Reddit thread titled 'AmazonDSPDrivers'.
One post by r/ForwardAd3067 shares an X - formerly known as Twitter - post by @HeroDividend which reads: "Pulled up next to this UPS driver while stuck in traffic this afternoon.
"I said: 'Hey man good afternoon.' He replied: 'Sorry, I don't speak broke.'"
Amazon DSP driver Jordan Talmon has since told Business Insider he may leave his position despite having only been working there since May.
Talmon told the outlet he makes $18 an hour - he was previously on $17, but it was raised by $1 around the time the UPS-Teamster Union deal happened.
The 24-year-old reflects: "Seems kind of pitiful compared to UPS."
Fellow Amazon DSP driver Hunter Deaver started on $16.50 per hour and now earns $18.50 an hour, noting he's heard talk of people considering leaving for UPS particularly in the holiday period and Amazon will 'have to decide if they want to keep quality drivers or not'.
An Amazon spokesperson told Insider it's not Amazon, but DSPs which sort pay cheques.
They said: "Driver pay is set by DSPs, subject to a minimum pay standard that is set by contract with each DSP.
"We actively audit DSPs to ensure compliance with our minimum pay and other contractual requirements."
UNILAD has contacted Amazon DSP for comment.
