BrownCafe

‘We think speed and convenience of drone delivery is like no other’

DETAILS: UPS (NYSE:UPS) has embraced an aggressive approach to deploying drones for delivery services. In 2019, the company created UPS Flight Forward, an FAA-certified drone airline. Flight Forward already has revenue-generating operations in the health care sector. So what does the future hold?

SPEAKER: Kevin Wasik, head of business development, UPS Flight Forward

BIO: Wasik has been with UPS for 14 years. Before becoming the head of business development at UPS Flight Forward in 2020, he served in a variety of roles that covered health care, e-commerce and sales.

Some members of a Rhode Island UPS union rallied Thursday morning outside the company’s hub in Warwick.

The goal was to raise concerns about working conditions there, which a UPS spokesperson says are unfounded.

Teamsters Local 251 business agent Matthew Maini claims the hub, which employs more than 1,800 workers, is no longer following COVID-19 safety protocols.

He claims the hub was not providing hand sanitizer or masks, and have not been cleaning or disinfecting bathrooms, vehicles, or other common areas.

“We feel that UPS should do the right thing and keep their employees safe,” Maini told 12 News earlier this week.

UPS urged a California federal judge Thursday to toss a former employee’s proposed class action accusing it of systematically endangering workers’ health and safety by leaving them vulnerable to exposure to COVID-19, arguing that the ex-employee’s claims belong before regulators, not a judge.

United Parcel Service Inc. told U.S. District Judge William Alsup during a remote hearing Thursday that former employee Desdnie Hess’ claims should be nixed, arguing that the dispute is really a workers’ compensation issue that should be referred to the state regulator.

But Judge Alsup expressed concern that referring the case to California’s Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health of California, known as Cal/OSHA, might mean that Hess wouldn’t be able to recover damages for the emotional distress she alleges she suffered as a result of UPS’ purportedly lax safety protections.

“You’re saying, ‘Go see OSHA,’ but OSHA’s not in a position to give money out,” Judge Alsup said.

The Laurelton UPS warehouse in Queens was inundated with fuming Teamsters Local 804 and supporters on Wednesday after 10 part-time employees were given the boot.

The essential workers’ dismissal, after a year of much-needed service during the pandemic, has union members steaming with anger, so much so that they took the fight to the delivery service’s doorstep at 136-40 Springfield Blvd.

The message was clear: “Hire them back.” The union members assembled between two trucks with large inflatable dummies depicting greedy bosses clutching bags of money. Blasting music and chanting, the gathering ensured those inside the large facility could hear their rebukes.

Residents of Cedar Key gathered at city hall to honor the man who was more than just a delivery driver to them; Kenneth Wayne Johnson is family.

“Dependable, smiling, rock-solid, good heart, big heart,” is how Sue Colson, a 30-year resident of Cedar Key and city commissioner describes Johnson.

Tuesday, April 27, was his last day as a UPS driver, and people in the town wanted to make it clear Johnson was a special part of their tight-knit community.

“He is family now. He has established himself if you work hard and take care of the people of Cedar Key, they will take care of you,” explained Colson.