UPS confirmed it was “evaluating options” for its UK business after a union claimed it was planning to outsource all its drivers, resulting in swathes of job losses.
Unite said the courier company wanted to casualise its delivery service and that its iconic brown delivery fleet would become extinct.
It said that by June 2027, UPS would no longer employ any frontline staff and instead be reliant on self-employed drivers using their own vehicles, with any remaining workers transferred to third party employers.
Under the proposals – currently subject to a formal consultation – Unite claimed the workforce would reduce from 4,000 to just 800 workers at 51 sites across the UK and that the changes would mean delivery drivers would be denied basic employment rights.
The union said it was considering all possible options, including strikes, in order to protect its members’ interests.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The way UPS is treating its workers is disgusting.
“Unite has made it crystal clear that UPS’ plans are completely unacceptable and if it doesn’t reverse them then all avenues including industrial action will be actively pursued.”
“This is an incredibly wealthy company trying to cynically further boost its profits by casualising its delivery service in the hope that no one notices.
Asked to comment on the claims, a UPS spokesperson said: “We constantly review how we can enhance customer experience and improve efficiency in response to changing market demand.
“As a consequence, we are evaluating options for our business in the UK as we remain committed to providing the highest standard of service and value our customers expect across the UK.”
