Seasonal Workers Claim Unfair Pay Practices in UPS Lawsuit

UPS has come under fire for allegedly withholding tens of millions of dollars in wages from seasonal workers who play a crucial role in delivering packages during the bustling holiday season. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit on Monday, claiming that the company forced some employees to clock in well after their shifts began and deducted pay for lunch breaks that were never taken. The lawsuit was filed in state court in Manhattan.

The lawsuit accuses UPS of “repeatedly and persistently” failing to properly compensate driver helpers—who assist with deliveries—and seasonal support drivers, who use their own vehicles for deliveries. According to James, over the past six years, UPS has deprived tens of thousands of seasonal workers of wages amounting to approximately $45 million.

The legal action seeks not only back pay and penalties but also a court order mandating UPS to cease off-the-clock work and to reform its timekeeping and payroll practices. Known for its iconic brown trucks and uniforms, UPS delivered an average of 22.4 million packages daily and generated $91.1 billion in revenue last year, as stated on its website.

“We oftentimes don’t think of these workers when we’re opening up our gifts for the holidays,” James remarked during a news conference announcing the lawsuit. “These individuals are struggling each and every day to make ends meet.”

In response, UPS, based in Georgia, acknowledged the lawsuit and stated that it “takes all accusations of wrongdoing seriously” while denying the allegations of intentionally underpaying employees. The company emphasized, “We offer industry-leading pay and benefits to our more than 26,000 employees in New York, and we remain committed to following all applicable laws.”

James, a Democrat, initiated her investigation into UPS in 2023 after concerns were raised by the employee union, Teamsters Local 804, regarding the treatment of seasonal workers. These employees are typically hired on a temporary basis from October to January.

Josh Pomeranz, the union’s director of operations, noted that while there is no evidence suggesting that the company’s top management was involved in or aware of the alleged wage theft, “these are just certain practices that you have to actively ignore, not to see it happening.”

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Lawsuits

UPS has come under fire for allegedly withholding tens of millions of dollars in wages from seasonal workers who play a crucial role in delivering packages during the bustling holiday season. New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit on Monday, claiming that the company forced some employees to clock in well after their shifts began and deducted pay for lunch breaks that were never taken. The lawsuit was filed in state court in Manhattan.

The lawsuit accuses UPS of “repeatedly and persistently” failing to properly compensate driver helpers—who assist with deliveries—and seasonal support drivers, who use their own vehicles for deliveries. According to James, over the past six years, UPS has deprived tens of thousands of seasonal workers of wages amounting to approximately $45 million.

The legal action seeks not only back pay and penalties but also a court order mandating UPS to cease off-the-clock work and to reform its timekeeping and payroll practices. Known for its iconic brown trucks and uniforms, UPS delivered an average of 22.4 million packages daily and generated $91.1 billion in revenue last year, as stated on its website.

“We oftentimes don’t think of these workers when we’re opening up our gifts for the holidays,” James remarked during a news conference announcing the lawsuit. “These individuals are struggling each and every day to make ends meet.”

In response, UPS, based in Georgia, acknowledged the lawsuit and stated that it “takes all accusations of wrongdoing seriously” while denying the allegations of intentionally underpaying employees. The company emphasized, “We offer industry-leading pay and benefits to our more than 26,000 employees in New York, and we remain committed to following all applicable laws.”

James, a Democrat, initiated her investigation into UPS in 2023 after concerns were raised by the employee union, Teamsters Local 804, regarding the treatment of seasonal workers. These employees are typically hired on a temporary basis from October to January.

Josh Pomeranz, the union’s director of operations, noted that while there is no evidence suggesting that the company’s top management was involved in or aware of the alleged wage theft, “these are just certain practices that you have to actively ignore, not to see it happening.”

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
Lawsuits