UPS Sparks Outrage with Controversial Buyout Plan for Union Drivers
I want to talk about something serious that’s brewing with UPS right now. It's not just a company shift — it's a potential breach of contract that directly affects thousands of hardworking Teamsters. You may have heard some chatter about UPS offering buyouts to its full-time drivers — what they’re calling the "Driver Voluntary Severance Plan" or DVSP. But here’s the thing: this isn't just some internal HR initiative. It’s a major issue because it appears to violate the national contract UPS has with the Teamsters union.
Now, let's break it down. Under the current five-year contract ratified back in August 2023, UPS is obligated to create 22,500 full-time union jobs and convert part-time workers into those positions. Instead of fulfilling that promise, the company is apparently rolling out this DVSP, dangling early retirement and severance packages in front of drivers in hopes they'll leave voluntarily. That might sound like a choice — but it's not, not when it undermines the very foundation of what was contractually agreed upon.
Also Read:- Cracking the Code: NYT Connections Sports Edition Puzzle #283 Explained
- Naomi Osaka Conquers Her Grasscourt Fears with Big Win at Wimbledon
And it gets worse. Drivers who accept this so-called voluntary severance could be left without the kind of long-term health insurance they've been guaranteed through decades of union negotiations. It’s a raw deal. Imagine working for 30 years, only to be offered a package that doesn't even come close to what you’d earn if you stayed. This isn’t about giving people options — it’s about pushing them out quietly while avoiding the responsibility of hiring and promoting new full-time union members.
Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien put it plainly: this is an illegal and disrespectful move. UPS, a multibillion-dollar company, is choosing profit over people. They're betting that offering a lump sum of cash will distract from their failure to deliver on job creation, vehicle safety upgrades like air conditioning, and heat relief measures they promised. Meanwhile, they’ve ignored data requests from the union about vehicle upgrades and job status — which they were contractually required to respond to by July 1.
And let’s not forget the timing. This all comes as UPS is undergoing what it calls the “largest network reconfiguration in its history.” What that looks like to workers, though, is a downsizing maneuver disguised as innovation. It’s eerily similar to what UPS did back in 2020 — offering buyouts to managers to trim costs. But this time, they’re going after the frontline drivers, the backbone of their delivery network.
Here’s the bottom line: Teamsters aren't backing down. Leadership has made it crystal clear that this buyout scheme won’t be tolerated. They’re preparing to fight on every front to protect their members and enforce the contract. The message from the union is loud and clear — UPS drivers are not for sale.
So if you’re a UPS Teamster, remember: the contract is your shield. Don’t let a flashy buyout distract from the value of the job you’ve earned and the protections that come with it. The union has your back. This isn’t over — not by a long shot.
Read More:
0 Comments