New York accuses UPS of stealing wages from thousands of seasonal workers

UPS Faces Lawsuit for Allegedly Underpaying Seasonal Workers

UPS is in hot water after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the delivery giant, accusing them of stealing millions of dollars in wages from seasonal workers in the state. According to James, UPS violated labor laws by using unlawful timekeeping practices to underpay seasonal employees who work tirelessly during the holiday season.

In a statement announcing the charges, James condemned UPS for not compensating seasonal workers fairly for their hard work. She accused the company of building its holiday business on the backs of workers who were not paid for their time and labor, labeling UPS as the “Grinch” for their actions. UPS, however, denied the allegations, stating that they offer industry-leading pay and benefits to their employees and are committed to following all applicable laws.

The lawsuit specifically targets UPS’s treatment of seasonal workers such as “Driver Helpers” and “Seasonal Support Drivers” in New York. These workers assist full-time staff with package delivery during the busy holiday season. The civil lawsuit alleges that UPS failed to pay these workers for all of the hours they worked. For example, UPS reportedly delayed worker clock-ins until they scanned a package or made a delivery, even if they had been scheduled to start working hours earlier. The company also allegedly deducted 30-minute meal breaks automatically, regardless of whether workers actually took them.

The lawsuit seeks back pay for UPS workers in New York and demands that the company end off-the-clock work and revamp its timekeeping and payroll practices. UPS, which employs nearly 500,000 people worldwide and generated over $90 billion in revenue last year, is facing serious allegations that could have far-reaching consequences.

As the legal battle unfolds, UPS will have to defend its actions in court and potentially make changes to its policies to ensure fair treatment of seasonal workers. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how companies handle temporary employees during peak seasons, emphasizing the importance of upholding labor laws and ensuring that workers are compensated fairly for their contributions.

This article was edited by Alain Sherter.