So how do you feel about UPS as a company, and why?

[Reter]

I did a search and only saw a couple of threads about UPS, and it seemed fairly negative. But why? Well, the reason I ask is because I just got hired as a seasonal driver (pay starts at $18.75/hr) until January 15th or so.

If I'm asked to stay on, I can join the union (Teamsters) after like 60 days. They provide top pay in three years, plenty of overtime, great pensions, and amazing free healthcare (apparently totally free, but that I can't confirm). So why some hate? They pay their employees very well and have great benefits. Thoughts?

[brooklynite]

1. Some people here don't like corporations, period.

[onehandle]

2. UPS > FedEx nt

[unrepentant progress]

3. This is why

http://bit.ly/1p4jqn2

[leftofcool]

4. I have no problems with UPS.

We order a lot of stuff (mostly art supplies) and I have yet to not have a package delivered. They walk up to my door, our driver has never left a package where it will get wet, and for the most part our deliveries have been on the stated tracking day.

[RKP5637]

5. I've only ever heard good things about UPS. I've never worked for them, but I've never heard any

complaints from employees I come in contact with and they all seem pretty happy. I also ship a lot of stuff with UPS. I'm not a big shipper, but a few packages a week. It's always worked extremely well for us, and on many things they are very price competitive.

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. Congrats and good luck! If UPS gave you a job today...

I guess I feel pretty good about 'em!

[elleng]

7. Congrats for getting a job, Reter.

My problem with UPS is they're part of the gang getting congress to disappear the USPS.

Good they have a good union.

Do well.

[Historic NY]

10. Actually UPS depends heavily on USPS..its called "brown & blue make green".

there are many places they won't go the USPS will. My cousin is the senior carrier in the area here, the handle lots of each other packages etc.

http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2012/pr12_149.htm

[elleng]

16. Yes, a super irony,

USPS takes the stuff in 'the last mile.'

[bigwillq]

8. Congrats!

[Historic NY]

9. They run like an army fit in and you will advance..

I know a couple young people in their teens that were groomed early on working conveyor belts as temps...one now is in upper managment. I imagine you'll being doing a lots of o/t.

[Travis_0004]

11. I like them

We ship about 300 packages a day, plus UPS LTL, so we see 4-5 different UPS employees everyday.

[Brickbat]

12. I generally think they're pretty good, and the UPS Teamsters are fairly strong. It's a good gig if

you can hold onto it. Congrats!

[tammywammy]

13. I like them just fine.

I had a couple items get caught up in the cluster fuck last year. Other than that I never get packages that are damaged, they're delivered on time and always there. I like them fine.

[Skeeter Barnes]

14. Some advice now that you have your foot in the door.

They will probably want you to be flexible with your schedule. Be there whenever they want you and make sure you are clean shaven.

You are coming in right at peak season so be prepared to work your ass off.

Keep your head down and just work.

Keep up with any paperwork, such as your pre trip, and make sure to turn it in with your handheld at the end of the day.

DO NOT let the truck move without your seat belt on and always keep the doors locked up.

They have telematics on the trucks so they will know if you aren't wearing your seat belt and they are very serious about you wearing it!

Don't worry too much about joining just yet. Don't ask management about the union or contract language.

They are a horrible company to work for and they will stress you out beyond belief.

But the pay is really fucking good! Overtime after eight hours every day! Thank goodness for the Teamsters!

If you can stay on past peak, they probably like you OK. IIRC, you will get a seniority date after 90 days. After that, you are in line for a full time position as they become available.

I've had my rounds with them and moved on but a lot of people handle it fine. Give it your best effort and see how it works out.

edit:

Last I heard, it is now 4 years from the day you go full time to top out pay under the current contract.

[Old Codger]

15. What I know

Which really isn't a whole lot, I do business through them get and send a lot of packages, I know my driver fairly well, he is polite and prompt and always willing to answer questions... they pay pretty good not sure at what point a driver reaches this but full time driver make up to 70 grand or better plus benefits.

[jillan]

17. It's a great job. It's hard work but it is a great job. They take care of you and YES they have a

Union!

Congrats.

[Skittles]

18. last UPS guy at my door opened a peanutbutter jar for me

I had been going nuts (HA!) trying to open it

I approve of UPS!

[Sedona]

19. My boyfriend's brother's been with them for 20+ years

He's an American living in Munich (yeah the one in Germany).

They take good care of him and his family.

[demosincebirth]

20. Their pay and benifits are great. Guys retiring out now in the Western Conference of Teamsters

Pension Fund, with the 80 and out (your age plus time of service), are eligible for up to 5k a month. Gotta work hard, though, but the pay and benefits are the best. Also, you don't contribute anything towards your benefits or pension.

Beats the shit out of working for FedEx

[LeftyMom]

21. My sister worked there all through college and for a few years after.

The pay was good, they really good about adjusting her schedule so she could get the classes she needed, everybody was very friendly. They had a tuition assistance program and helped to pay for her degree. For her it was a great experience.

She worked in customer service in the distribution center, not on a truck. But she was and is friends with a lot of the drivers and they've all been there for years and seem happy with their jobs.

Maybe it's different in other places, large companies often vary widely from one office to another, but everybody in her location seemed really, really happy with their job.

[Sherman A1]

22. From what I understand

UPS works their people hard, but pays them a decent wage and benefits.

You will work your rear end off during the holidays, but if you get on full time with them I think it will be well worth doing so.

[rudolph the red]

23. I worked the seasonal driver job with them in 2010 when I got out of the Marines

I spent most of my time shagging boxes in the distribution center and the time that I spent on the road was as an assistant/package humper for the driver. I didn't care, it was a good job, and it payed pretty well. I never saw or even heard any of the rumors that they treat new people like army recruits during the time that I was there. It's a job, take it and make it work for you!