The sooner you become a full-time driver, the sooner you will earn top pay. It's as simple as that. I wouldn't wait thinking the new contract will make the job get any better.
I was a lab technician. Why? The severance agreement just stipulated I couldn't work for UPS or any of its affiliated businesses (The UPS Store) for 1 year after date of separation. I'm not sure why, but yeah.
The sooner you become a full-time driver, the sooner you will earn top pay. It's as simple as that. I wouldn't wait thinking the new contract will make the job get any better.