UPS - Union, drivers are the MOST senior positions and get about $150k a year (I think they’re hourly? With really really really good holiday and OT) with great benefits (afaik). Everything is insured, and drivers are generally held to incredibly high standards.
FedEx - ground delivery drivers are not union. They aren’t even employees. They’re independent contractors so that FedEx can save money with MINIMAL liability. Drivers own their own route and trucks, and have to pay for everything. It’s basically a mini franchise and you do not make very much, there are no benefits.
There was a woman in her late 30s in one of my college classes back in 1999. She was a driver for UPS, and had nearly 20 years worth stock options. UPS went public that year, and her stock options were converted to Class A common stock. She decided to hang onto her shares. I found out a couple of years ago that she signed up for a DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan), and will retire a millionaire.
I had no idea about FedEx! Whenever someone sends us a package via FedEx, it’s always delayed 1-2 days from the delivery date, regardless of the service level. This explains a lot.
This. FedEx drivers get wrung, squeezed and micromanaged every second of every day. Pay someone a living wage, set reasonable expectations, and stand back. The job will get done right the first time.
It’s amazing the difference a union makes for customer satisfaction isn’t it?
Note: USPS & UPS are both unionized.
UPS - Union, drivers are the MOST senior positions and get about $150k a year (I think they’re hourly? With really really really good holiday and OT) with great benefits (afaik). Everything is insured, and drivers are generally held to incredibly high standards.
FedEx - ground delivery drivers are not union. They aren’t even employees. They’re independent contractors so that FedEx can save money with MINIMAL liability. Drivers own their own route and trucks, and have to pay for everything. It’s basically a mini franchise and you do not make very much, there are no benefits.
These companies are NOT the same at all.
There was a woman in her late 30s in one of my college classes back in 1999. She was a driver for UPS, and had nearly 20 years worth stock options. UPS went public that year, and her stock options were converted to Class A common stock. She decided to hang onto her shares. I found out a couple of years ago that she signed up for a DRIP (Dividend Reinvestment Plan), and will retire a millionaire.
How are they salary and hourly at the same time? Those are opposites.
I see you’ve never heard of salaried non-exempt.
Which is, grosely oversimplified, a guaranteed 40 hours of pay with an hourly rate attached for overtime pay.
Fixed it
I had no idea about FedEx! Whenever someone sends us a package via FedEx, it’s always delayed 1-2 days from the delivery date, regardless of the service level. This explains a lot.
This. FedEx drivers get wrung, squeezed and micromanaged every second of every day. Pay someone a living wage, set reasonable expectations, and stand back. The job will get done right the first time.