UPS Accused by New York of Withholding Wages from Holiday Workers

The state of New York has initiated a legal action against UPS, accusing the company of withholding millions in wages owed to their seasonal workforce.

New York's Attorney General, Letitia James, has charged UPS with breaking labor regulations through improper timekeeping, leading to underpayment of temporary workers.

In a public announcement, James remarked, 'The foundation of UPS's holiday operations rests on workers who have unjustly been denied fair compensation. These seasonal workers endure long, harsh hours to ensure holiday deliveries reach families across America. Yet, UPS has opted to act like a Grinch instead.'

UPS has rejected claims of deliberate underpayment, emphasizing their compliance with labor laws.

The company defended its practices by stating, 'We are proud to provide leading compensation and benefits to over 26,000 employees in New York while upholding all relevant legislation.'

The legal accusation implies that UPS, headquartered in Atlanta and staffed by nearly half a million workers globally, did not fully compensate its seasonal 'Driver Helpers' and 'Seasonal Support Drivers', who are essential during peak delivery periods.

The lawsuit details how workers were not paid for all hours worked. It claims that UPS postponed recording workers' starting times until they scanned a package or made a delivery, even if they had begun hours earlier. Additionally, automatic meal break deductions were made, irrespective of whether the break was taken.

The state is seeking back wages for New York's UPS workers and a court directive mandating an overhaul of UPS's time management and payroll processes to curtail off-the-clock work.