UPS delivery-driver job searches soar 50% after union secures wage hike that could see workers get a $170,000 yearly package
- Jobs as UPS delivery drivers are in hot demand after its union secured a wage boost for workers.
- Indeed said it had seen a 50% rise in searches for "UPS" and "United Parcel Service," per Bloomberg.
There's been a spike in interest for UPS delivery-driver roles on the job-listing site Indeed after the company's union secured a pay rise for employees above industry standards, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.
Indeed observed a 50% rise in users searching "UPS" or "United Parcel Service" in its job title section a week after the union reached a deal, according to data viewed by Bloomberg. Searches for "delivery driver" generally did not increase, signaling a specific interest in UPS.
The increased interest follows UPS coming to a tentative agreement with the Teamsters union last month about employee wages and benefits. The union represents more than 340,000 UPS delivery drivers and package handlers.
To avoid a worker strike, UPS agreed on July 25 to provide $30 billion in new money over a five-year period to boost wages, benefits, and working conditions for employees. It set a minimum wage for part-time workers at $21 an hour and full-time workers at $49 an hour on average, making them the "highest paid delivery drivers in the nation," the union said. This deal has yet to be approved by union members.
UPS CEO Carol Tomé said on an earnings call this week that full-time drivers would earn about $170,000 annually in salary and benefits by the end of the five-year period. These drivers currently earn, on average, about $95,000 a year with a further $50,000 in benefits.
The company said part-time union employees would earn $25.75 an hour as well as healthcare and pension benefits by the end of the contract.
Teamsters UPS union members were preparing to strike if an agreement was not reached. UPS' proposal has yet to be approved by union members.
UPS and Indeed did not immediately respond to a request for comment.