Yes, UPS employees are partially to blame for SurePost, since high compensation packages figure into the high cost of shipping. But UPS management exploited the USPS's Parcel Post program, at a time when Airborne was floundering with it. One has to wonder if UPS didn't jump on board, if FedEx would've acquired SmartPost... ultimately bleeding to the monster today.
In my mind, FedEx Smartpost is the biggest problem. I don't have a tremendous problem with Surepost. At least that package is being sorted and transported (at least 90% of the way) by unionized employees. Although I lament the loss of volume to UPS drivers, the fact of the matter is that other competitors are forcing our hand here. Heck, I don't really even mind the USPS delivering it, as they are also unionized employees being paid decent wages. Different company, different union, sure, but the principle of the matter is what matters to me most.
My problem is more is more when we cede that volume to FedEx, which fully exploits the independent contractor model and pays substandard wages. Ultimately, that puts pressure on companies for a race to the bottom, which hurts everyone. If we can keep most of the sorting and transportation in house, great. Not ideal, but a lot better than the alternative.
I do have a problem, though, with companies that don't give the consumer the option to upgrade to Ground. Most of the time, I'd rather upgrade and get the full advantage of a UPS delivery to my door. Some people won't want to pay for that service, and that's fine. But to route my package via Surepost/Smartpost and not even given me the option to upgrade for a dollar or two more, that irritates me.