Dec. 15 (UPI) — New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against logistics giant UPS for unpaid wages of seasonal delivery workers in the state.
The investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that UPS allegedly “shortchanged seasonal workers who keep the company running during peak holiday demand by failing to record all hours worked, requiring widespread off-the-clock labor, and manipulating timekeeping systems to reduce paid hours.”
The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, asks for restitution for the workers.
“UPS built its holiday business on the backs of workers who were not paid for their time and labor,” Attorney General James said in a statement. “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.”
“Each year, UPS commits wage theft against these workers in myriad ways,” the civil complaint said.
The suit notes that during its peak season, from October to January, UPS hires thousands of temporary workers at at least 55 facilities in New York.
“Seasonal Delivery Workers have worked off-the-clock before the beginning of the shift, after the ending of the shift, and at various other times, including at the beginning and end of employment, between shifts, and during meal breaks. Additionally, UPS’s timekeeping practices and edits to records have introduced and compounded timekeeping errors,” the suit said.
UPS said in a statement, “We are aware of the news from the New York Attorney’s General Office and, as a matter of policy, do not comment on ongoing litigation. UPS takes all accusations of wrongdoing seriously and is thoroughly investigating the matter,” NBC News reported.
“We offer industry-leading pay and benefits to our more than 26,000 employees in New York, and we remain committed to following all applicable laws,” the company said.
Vincent Perrone, president of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 804, said in a statement, “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.”
