SOUTH BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- The local Teamsters union is calling for UPS to "cease and desist" a new, 70-hour work week for drivers during the busy holiday package delivery season.
Dozens of Teamsters entered a South Boston UPS facility all at once as a sign of solidarity Monday morning.
Drivers like John Gillis told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope that the new work schedule puts the safety of drivers and the public in jeopardy.
"A lot of drivers here, they go out to 250, 300 stops with a helper, and the fatigue level, as opposed to just a regular over-the-road driver, it just increases it that much more," Gillis said.
In a statement, UPS said the work schedule meets Department of Transportation requirements.
The company said the drivers are paid time and a half, and "receive the industry's most attractive compensation and benefits program."
But Gillis and other drivers say the company is putting profits ahead of people and ignoring safety concerns.
"The company had time to hire drivers, they knew it was going to be a peak season," Gillis said. "This internet shopping is fantastic. The drivers here, we all love being here, we love our job, we love our customers--but we just don't want to put the public at risk."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Doug Cope reports