Advancement and hostility in workplace - Package Handler UPS Employee Review

The chances for advancement are strictly seniority based. The goal of a Hub or Center worker is ultimately to become driver unfortunately this can take a very long time and the package handlers are part-time employees. One of the most discouraging aspects I encountered is that every 7th package car driver hire is an out of union hire and this creates a lot of animosity with people who have been working in the warehouse for years especially if it is a non union supervisor who are also eligible for the 7th hire. There are many situations were someone will have worked there for a decade and see some kid get hired off the street and get the position you've been trying to get for years. Also because of the union you get stuck working with people who are absolutely worthless but simply can't be fired. I worked with two guys who got in a physical altercation (pushing) at work and both retained their jobs. Another con is the vitriolic relationship between union workers and corporate, and it can get really bad. Now this is purely anecdotal but a lot of old timers talked about how the company used to be amazing and considered one of the best companies to work for before it went public in 1999. Corporate seems absolutely aloof and because of the Union are almost adversarial. I worked at both a large hub and a center, the problems I illustrated were prevalent in both but much more pronounced in the latter. I would not recommend working for UPS if you are looking for a career but if you need to work through school or are in need of a temporary job it's great because of the benefits which you get as a part time employee. If you do want to make a career out of it make sure you find out how many people are ahead of you in seniority and frankly how old the package car drivers look (ie close to retirement) because chances are you will be a part time employee for five years at least. I was finally compelled to switch jobs when corporate started cutting the driving jobs after people retired or quite, so that is also a factor.