Hull delivery drivers’ anger as DPD cuts wages leaving them hundreds of pounds out of pocket
Self-employed drivers want to make a stand against DPD saying ‘morale is really low’ following the parcel payment changes
Changes have been made for parcel delivery payments by DPD(Image: Derby Telegraph)
Frustrated Humber delivery drivers have hit out at DPD bosses claiming their wages have been cut by hundreds of pounds a month amid changes in parcel payments. Parcel delivery company DPD has a network of more than 80 depots in the UK, including a base in Goole where around 100 self-employed drivers pick up huge numbers of parcels every day to deliver to customers across the region.
Now, however – with just 11 weeks to go before Christmas – drivers are considering quitting or even threatening strike action, after having their wages cut with immediate effect. As of last week, DPD cut the rate for smaller parcels by 65p, with payments being made depending on the size of the parcel and the number of deliveries they complete.
The move affects thousands of self-employed delivery drivers at the company. The parcel giant says it has also introduced new incentives “designed to increase earnings all year round”.
At the moment, however, one driver, who didn’t want to be named, said they are £500 down a month – around a quarter of typical take-home pay. They said angry drivers at the depot where they work want to make a stand against the company.
The unnamed driver told us the monthly pay cut is putting pressure on countless families, and said that potential strike action will have a massive impact on customers in Hull, Grimsby and the surrounding areas with Christmas looming around the corner.
Self-employed workers are looking to hold a meeting outside of work time to plan their next move, but many are working 70-hours a week, over seven days a week.
The driver said: “We suddenly noticed that our pay has gone down, by around £500 a month – they are taking money off each parcel that we deliver. They’ve done it at all different depots including Howden, Birmingham, Ipswich.
“It’s a substantial knock to wages. We have to get up at 4am or 5am every morning to load up before starting to make deliveries, and sometimes I don’t get home until 7pm.
“Everyone at the depot has had enough. We really don’t want to go on strike, especially as we’re just coming up to Christmas, but what option have we got?
“If we don’t make a stand they will wipe the floor with us. But a lot of people also don’t want to make any trouble – they’ve got mortgages and kids. It’s worrying times. Morale is really low.”
A spokesman for DPD said: “We have adjusted some of our rates to reflect changes in our parcel traffic profile. Driver stops which include only smaller parcels will see a reduction of 65p. Stops which include larger parcels, or high-value or pharmaceutical parcels will not be impacted by these changes, while heavier deliveries will attract an additional payment of 65p.
“We have also introduced a series of new incentive payments for drivers, designed to increase earnings all year round. As a result, we believe our driver remuneration package remains among the best in our industry.
“We acknowledge that some drivers have raised concerns regarding the new arrangements, and these are being addressed. For the Owner Drivers impacted by these changes, the average annualised net earnings are currently over £40,000.”
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