UPS Accused of Stealing Millions From Holiday Workers

NEW YORK – United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) is facing a major lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing the shipping giant of systematically cheating thousands of seasonal workers out of millions of dollars. The Attorney General’s Office (OAG) alleges a pattern of wage theft spanning years, exploiting workers during the critical holiday rush.

The investigation, triggered by concerns raised by Teamsters Local 804, revealed UPS routinely failed to record all hours worked by seasonal employees, forced unpaid off-the-clock labor, and manipulated timekeeping systems to artificially reduce wages. These aren’t isolated incidents, the OAG claims – they’re ingrained practices across UPS’s New York operations. Attorney General James is seeking restitution for current and former seasonal workers and a court order to halt the unlawful practices.

“UPS built its holiday business on the backs of workers who were not paid for their time and labor,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “UPS’s seasonal employees work brutal hours in the cold to deliver the holiday packages families across the country count on. Instead of compensating these workers fairly for their labor, UPS has played the Grinch. I am fighting to get these workers their money back and stop UPS from continuing its cruel and unlawful wage theft.”

The alleged scheme targeted Driver Helpers and Seasonal Support Drivers – those using their own vehicles – hired at over 50 facilities across New York state between October and January each year. Workers reported routinely showing up for shifts, waiting for hours without pay, and even being sent home without clocking in. Unpaid time also included travel between assignments, mandatory training, returning undelivered packages, and end-of-shift equipment handover – crucial hours for workers relying on seasonal income.

Vincent Perrone, President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 804, praised the Attorney General’s action. “UPS thought they could exploit seasonal workers by not paying them for all time worked. But the Teamsters and the State of New York will always stand up to corporate greed and abuse. Thank you for standing with us and with working people across our great state.” Thomas Gesualdi, President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 16, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Wage theft is theft.”

UPS, a global behemoth generating approximately $90 billion in annual revenue and employing nearly 500,000 people worldwide, now faces a legal battle over these alleged practices. The OAG investigation uncovered unlawful timekeeping practices that weren’t isolated errors, but a systemic pattern of wage suppression. The case promises to shed light on the conditions faced by the often-invisible workforce powering the holiday delivery season.