MA UPS Drivers Push Back Against 70-Hour Work Week

UPS drivers in New England are speaking out against increased hours during the holiday rush. Workers on Monday demonstrated ahead of their regularly scheduled shifts amid an imposed 70-hour work week, which the Teamsters Locals said "jeopardizes our members and the general public's safety and health."

In a letter to UPS management, Teamsters Joint Council 10 Secretary-Treasurer Sean O'Brien said the company did not plan ahead and failed to hire extra labor for the holiday season. This resulted in increased hours for regular workers, something that O'Brien said "seems to happen every year."

Drivers who show up early for their shifts participated in demonstrations at UPS facilities in Massachusetts Monday morning. The union said service would not be impacted.

In a statement to Patch, UPS Vice President of Public Relations Steve Gaut said the company hired about 95,000 additional workers to handle the delivery swell between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve. This year UPS expects to deliver 750 million packages, up 5 percent from the same period in 2016, according to Gaut.

"UPS appreciates the exceptional effort of all employees during our peak holiday shipping season, when daily delivery volumes are near double the normal level," Gaut said. "Our employees’ scheduled work week is in compliance with Department of Transportation requirements. Union-represented employees are paid time and one-half for work above 40 hours per week and they receive the industry’s most attractive compensation and benefits program."

Teamsters Joint Council 10 said demonstrations took place Monday at facilities in Norwood, Watertown, South Boston and Chelmsford.

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