CHRISTMAS and January deliveries could face major delays as 2,000 UPS workers begin voting to strike.
votewhich opened this week and will close Dec. 3, follows a wage dispute.
Unite says staff have rejected increases of 2.8% for 2025 and 3.2% for 2026, below the latest RPI figure inflation about 4.5%.
CPI inflation is the measure most often used to increase wages.
However, unions often use the RPI in negotiations because it tends to exceed the CPI and therefore favors a larger increase.
Any strikes could begin in mid-December, affecting last-minute gifts and Boxing Day purchases.
Unite says retailers that typically use UPS include Apple, AmazonDell and Louis Vuitton.
The union claims a previous one-off offer of £100 for staff on the minimum wage has been withdrawn to fund the 2026 wage deal, and claims management have put up posters urging staff not to vote.
UPS is the world's largest courier, delivering more than 15 million parcels every day around the world.
The company, headquartered in Feltham, UK, reported third-quarter global net income of $1.31 billion on revenue of $21.4 billion.
It is understood that around a quarter of the UK workforce are paid the minimum wage (£12.21 per hour).
Unite General secretary Sharon Graham said: “This dispute is a clear example of a wealthy employer putting profits before people.
“It is disgraceful that workers at a company that turns over billions have been offered such meager wages and are forced to struggle to survive.”
A UPS spokesperson said: “We are committed to creating a work environment that helps our employees thrive and our business and customers succeed.
“Our goal remains a balanced, fair and sustainable agreement that reflects the valuable contributions our people make every day.
“Robust contingency plans are in place to minimize any disruption to customers and meet our obligations should industrial action occur.”
To ensure your gifts arrive on time, place your orders for Standard Delivery the first week of December and use Express Delivery until approximately December 15th.
Check every seller Christmas end dates and any courier delays prior to purchase.
In October, DPD scrapped a controversial 65p cut in small parcel pay for 10,000 drivers following industrial action, and reporting in The Sun raised fears of disruption to Christmas deliveries.
A planned 65p surcharge for heavier parcels has also been scrapped.
In an email to workers, the courier also confirmed that the Big Push Christmas benefit will return for the 2025 peak, offering an extra 50p per trip to drivers who work multiple days in a row.
The U-turn follows a furious backlash after DPD told drivers in late September that rates for small parcels would be reduced with immediate effect.
The firm has also quietly scrapped the £500 holiday bonus for those who reach peak performance.
DPD drivers are self-employed franchisees and are paid per delivery, with rates based on package size rather than distance.
At the time, DPD said the changes reflected changes in parcel volumes in a “very competitive market.”
DPD previously said the changes reflected changes in parcel volumes in a “very competitive market”.
What are my rights in the event of lost or delayed delivery?
MILLIONS of shoppers will rely on delivery services to ensure gifts bought online arrive in time for Christmas.
We've outlined your rights if a package you ordered gets lost or arrives late.
Complaint to the seller
If your package does not arrive by the agreed date, you can file a claim with the seller.
And if you didn't select a specific delivery date or window at checkout, you're eligible for a refund if the item doesn't show up within 30 days.
If you don't have the option to select a specific delivery date when purchasing online, try adding a note stating that “time is of the essence” and that you will need it before December 25th.
Then send an email asking the company to meet those deadlines.
This will give you additional rights to a refund if anything goes wrong.
Cancel and buy again
For anything you buy online or over the phone (except items that have been personalized, such as with your initials), you are entitled to a refund within 14 days.
This cooling off period applies even if there is nothing wrong with your purchase. The countdown begins the day after delivery is received. The only exception is electronic products where the seal on the packaging is broken.
This can be a useful tool if you know shipping is delayed and you want to go out and buy a replacement before Christmas.
But when refunding an item, companies only need to reimburse the cost of the cheapest shipping option. So, if you paid for a premium service “next day” or “same day”, you may not get all your money back.
Collect damages
If your purchase is damaged upon delivery, the seller is obliged to return your money.
Sometimes, if you or the courier are in a hurry, you may not have time to properly remove the item from the package and check it before signing for it.
In most cases, you are simply signing an acceptance of delivery rather than confirming the condition of your purchase, but to be on the safe side, add “not verified” when signing.
Payment by credit card
Using a credit card gives you an added layer of protection because you can seek a refund from the card company if items turn out to be faulty or not delivered as promised.
This is useful because sometimes when purchasing online, you may end up with a fraudulent company that is not interested in your refund rights.
