I Am a UPS Driver Who Loves My Job but Hates the Workplace Politics

• A UPS driver from Ohio said they really like their job and feel lucky to work at the company.
• Their least favorite part of the job is the drama.
• They said there’s tension and friction between the union and corporate side of UPS.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a UPS driver in Ohio. They asked not to be named to protect their job, but their employment has been confirmed by Insider. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

I really like driving for UPS. Even though I don’t have a college degree, I make good money — $40 an hour. I don’t think you can expect that in many other places without an advanced education. Some Amazon drivers only make $21 an hour. I know I’m lucky to be where I am.

I worked for UPS for 12 years, before I became a driver, and I jumped at the opportunity. I knew it would allow me to quit my other jobs because I’d make enough money to support myself and my family. 

As someone who’s been on the lower end of the totem pole, I get it

Before I was a driver, I worked as a preloader which means I came in early in the morning and loaded the trucks for the drivers. Now, as a driver, I try to be sympathetic toward preloaders because sometimes drivers can get really frustrated with them. 

I tell fellow drivers that the preloaders are doing their best and we should be kind to them. Everyone’s just trying their best. I want to make sure I’m still thinking of those employees, even as I’ve moved up in the company.

My favorite part of the job is the sense of independence

I’m so thankful that I can be handed the keys every day and trusted to do what I need to do. I have my route, I have my packages, and I know how to do my job. There’s no one breathing over my shoulder — that’s a blessing.

People think it’s lonely to be on the road for eight to 10 hours a day by yourself, but I don’t mind it and I’ve made connections with the people along my route. 

We’re called service providers and I take that seriously

With people moving in and out of houses all the time, I try to welcome new people to the neighborhood and get to know them a little. You start to anticipate their needs. 

You know who orders packages online frequently and who is a little bit more quiet. I’m providing a service and I want to meet my customers’ expectations.

We all have problem children on our route

Sometimes people want to paint the company as doing something wrong because they didn’t get their way. I had a customer who had a case of wine delivered a couple days after Christmas. We had that big deep freeze and stuff sitting in trailers froze. It actually defrosted and came in broken so people blamed the drivers. 

I’ve been driving for UPS for 10 years and I wish customers would understand we’re people, too. I know so many things are automated now and it can feel like the person who is dropping off your packages doesn’t exist outside of that but they do. I have a whole life — being a UPS driver is just part of it.

My least favorite part of working at UPS is the drama

We have drama between the union and the corporate side. I really appreciate everything the union does for us and the benefits they’ve secured, but I can understand how some people might think it’s too strong. 

Sometimes you feel like people are protected by the union when they’re just actually not good workers and shouldn’t be there. I can understand both sides.

There’s a lot of tension and friction this year

In August, there will be negotiations between UPS and Teamsters, the union that represents the company’s 340,000 drivers and package handlers. Our current contract expires on July 31 and if an agreement isn’t reached for a new contract, there could be a strike. 

I’m trying to think ahead and I’ve decided to request to use my vacation time to take place in August. I want to be prepared. Some people might not like it but I’m not the type to stand on the picket line. This way, I’ll be on vacation whether the strike happens or not.

Are you a UPS driver with an interesting story? Contact Manseen Logan at [email protected].