Four Walnut Creek-based UPS employees have sued the company, accusing it of tampering with timecards, not paying workers for work-related activity such as undergoing COVID-19 checks, and not adhering to state rules regarding COVID-19-related sick pay.
The suit, filed Wednesday in Contra Costa County Superior Court, is asking for class-action status, presumably so other UPS employees with grievances against the company could join. UPS supervisor William Turman is also named in the suit.
Drivers Matthew Ulricksen, Shane Barlow, James Jones, and warehouse worker Joshua Stuart, allege supervisors altered timecards several times after they punched in at the Walnut Creek facility.
The suit says in the case of the three drivers, it was done to skirt U.S. Department of Transportation rules saying they can’t work more than 60 hours per week.
Ulricksen alleges his timecard was altered Feb. 4, and later changed back after he complained. He filed an official complaint with the company, which allegedly told him it investigated and took action, though they didn’t specify the action taken.
Ulricksen said his timecard was altered again March 24, May 5 and May 10, the two latter days through a new timekeeping system that rounded his starting time up 15 minutes.
Ulricksen also alleges in the suit he wasn’t given state-mandated supplemental sick time for three sick days he took in April as he experienced side effects from getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Barlow alleges his timecard was altered to reflect later start times at least twice. Jones alleges “multiple occasions” of altered timecards in 2020 and 2021. Stuart alleges “several” similar accusations in 2021.
All four allege not being paid for work-related events, including regular, required COVID-19 security screenings, during which they’re required to stand in line outside the facility with employee IDs and answer questions before being allowed in.
UPS spokesman Matthew O’Connor said the company is reviewing the complaint.
“UPS appreciates the hard work of our employees,” O’Connor said. “We offer several ways to report and resolve issues with confidence and have policies and procedures to ensure that all of our employees are paid for the work they perform. We will review the allegations, investigate the situation, and respond accordingly.”
Isn’t UPS workers are unionized? If so why didn’t they complaint to the union?
The union in martinez doesn’t give a crap about them especially nick berry
The article did not mention if they did or did not first try filing a grievence through the union. It would be interessting to know if they did and how the company responded.
Oh, I personally know someone who works for UPS and YES, they have on many occasions “altered” his time cards. and when it was brought up to them (UPS) they made life hard for him in the facility (San Ramon). Yes and I agree that the Union doesn’t do crap for them. Yes and the Union Rep was Nick Berry and a few others. Stewards try but they also don’t get any support from Union Reps.
Class Action is the way to go. Restructure and put some of those supervisors with Big Heads in their places.
Teamsters need to do a WAY better job for their Union dues paying members.
Time card fraud is rampant within UPS. This should go all the way to “The National Labor Relations Board” NOW!!!
That is outrageous! Go after them ya’ll!
I worked for UPS as a truck loader while attending college a long time ago in a state far away.
It was common practice for UPS Supervisors to alter the manual time cards, shaving off 15 min here and there.
Workers did complain to the Union, the Teamsters.
I don’t think anything changed.
The Unions focus was on collecting the monthly dues.
Oops P S
UPS is the worst company to use for shipping by far. Higher prices, longer delivery times and they are super petty. Charging you $0.40 extra after you leave the store because they mis measured your box the first time. Huh???
I use USPS and FedEx to ship all my stuff. I love my post man. I’ve finally got him to not be afraid my dog. He says “good dog, now just stay on the porch” lol.
I once heard that postal workers in Britain bring dog biscuits to give to dogs on their route. The dogs, instead of seeing the postman as a daily intruder to their territory, eagerly await their arrival.
FEDEX is the absolute worst, hey cant deliver on time often delivers take an extra week to get to the destination, and not reinbursement from the deliver delay. UPS is so much better they actually deliver as stated and always gets there on time, and price is always what they state for me.
@ idiots everywhere–Some postal workers do that here too. I have a friend who was a mailman, and he always carried dog biscuits on his route.
No Mercy for these “woke” companies if they insist on defending their employees harassing customers…..like the recent situation with UPS employee in Fresno.
I’m sooo sick of this crappy town! Walnut Creek is rapidly becoming such a trash city…I’m done with it! I’m leaving! I’m going to Oakland where the weather is much nicer!
Since a union is involved I believe it will be moved to Federal Court. In addition, if they did not follow the complaint process of their union contract they will lose. Contracts have specified time frames for filing grievances. Unions have discretion similar to a police officer, they do not have to handle a grievance.
If they followed their union contract to the letter they will win. If not they will lose. Companies have learned to use bad unions as a shield in these types of activities.
To drag Nick Berry, specifically, through the mud on this issue is irrational and silly. There are so many specific rules to UPS’ contract. One of the big ones being FILE A GRIEVANCE ON TIME. Point being, there are many reasons why it looks like the company wins, because sometimes they do. Obviously altering a time card is not acceptable. I know of plenty of members who got their grievances heard and the issue corrected thanks to Nick Berry. Clearly he has handled this issue plenty of times so it makes me wonder if a grievance was even filed.
The Unions are there to fight for you, so you have someone to help understand your contract and help you uphold it. If a member just complains, lies, doesn’t file, etc… then how is their business agent suppose to file for them or even help them when most don’t take their advice. Nick Berry has almost 1400 members to help and look after. Do him a favor and help him help you. That dude works night and day, taking endless calls and grief. Do yourself a favor and talk to him about your issues, if it’s a contract violation, he’ll tell you how to handle it so he can help (if it’s doable/he doesn’t make the contract rules).