Unite , the UK’s leading union, has condemned plans by foremost courier company UPS to casualise its delivery service, which will lead to swathes of job losses and result in the extinction of the company’s iconic brown delivery vans.

 

Under UPS’ plans by June 2027 the company will no longer employ any frontline staff, instead it will be reliant on self-employed drivers using their own vehicles with any remaining workers being transferred to third party employers.

 

Under UPS proposals the workforce will reduce from 4,000 to 800 workers. Changing to  self-employed drivers, will mean that delivery  drivers will be denied basic employment rights with no job security, no holiday and no sick pay.

 

UPS is currently involved in a formal consultation on its plans. Unite is considering all possible options including industrial action to best 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 than 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.

 

UPS’ plans would affect workers at 51 sites across the whole of the UK.

 

UPS is an incredibly wealthy global company in 2025 it made a profit of $7.9 billion.

 

Unite national officer Adrian Jones said:

 

“Our members at UPS deserve far better having faithfully worked for the company for years and helping build its brand and profits. Unite will be doing all it can to support our members and prevent job losses."