What is the 9.5 grievance pay?
Asked by: Jewell Quitzon | Last update: May 26, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (5 votes)
9.5 grievance pay is a penalty payment for UPS drivers who are forced to work over 9.5 hours on more than two days in a week, requiring the company to pay triple time for those excess hours, with further violations escalating to quadruple time, after signing onto the "9.5 list" to enforce their right to limit excessive overtime. This protection is part of the Teamsters contract, allowing drivers to file grievances for penalty pay and load adjustments when management violates their 9.5 rights.
What is 9.5 list UPS?
The 9.5 list protects drivers from excessive overtime by allowing members to file grievances and receive compensation when UPS makes them work more than 9.5 hours per day more than twice a week.
What are 9.5 grievances?
Filing 9.5 Grievances
Once you are on the 9.5 Opt-In list, you should use the 9.5 Grievance Form to document every time you work more than 9.5 hours three times in a work week. Again, you will need the simple but critical details: dates worked, start time, end time, unpaid breaks, and total hours worked.
What is 9.5 at UPS?
The 9.5 list protects drivers from excessive overtime by allowing them to file grievances and receive compensation when UPS makes them work over 9.5 hours per day more than twice a week.
What is a grievance payout?
The grievance-arbitration process provides a mechanism for resolving disagreements between management and employees or unions over wages, hours, and employment conditions. A grievance payout cost is payment to an employee as part of a grievance settlement.
How to File a Grievance with the Union
What is grievance pay?
Effective January 1, 2023, employees in California are entitled to five days of bereavement leave. The California Family Rights Act (CRFA) was amended in 2022 and bereavement leave was added to the list of legally allowed forms of leave that employees can take.
Do you get compensation for a grievance?
Furthermore, some upheld grievances can be particularly serious, and you may be able to make a claim for compensation, even if the company has acknowledged and taken steps to solve the issue.
Is UPS really paying $49 an hour?
Yes, full-time UPS delivery drivers are set to reach an average top hourly pay of around $49 by 2028 under the new Teamsters contract, a significant increase from starting rates, allowing many experienced drivers to earn six figures with benefits, though part-time roles start much lower.
How to file a 9.5 grievance?
You can use a regular grievance form or a Local 251 9.5 E-Z Grievance Form. Make sure to grieve for penalty pay and to grieve the company's failure to adjust your load. You should file a new grievance every week the company works you over 9.5 as long as you are on the 9.5 list.
What is the 70 hour rule at UPS?
The 70-hour in 8 days rule — or 60 hours in 7 days rule — is the total time a driver is allowed to spend driving and on duty. They cannot exceed working 70 hours in any 8-day period or 60 hours in any 7-day period. In other words, drivers have a limited number of hours they can be on duty per week.
What are the chances of winning a grievance?
Be prepared to appeal – 99% of grievances are dismissed by the employer.
Does UPS pay triple time?
After you sign up, if UPS works you over 9.5 hours three times in a week, file a grievance. The company must pay triple time for all time worked over 9.5 hours.
What are the three types of grievances?
The three main types of grievances, especially in unionized settings, are Individual, Group, and Policy grievances, covering single-person complaints (like unfair discipline), issues affecting multiple employees (like holiday pay), and broad contractual or policy violations that impact the whole workplace. While these are standard classifications, grievances can also stem from specific issues like discrimination, harassment, pay, or safety concerns, falling under these broader categories.
Is it true UPS drivers make 170k a year?
Yes, full-time UPS drivers are projected to reach around $170,000 in total compensation (pay plus benefits like healthcare and pension) by the end of the 2023 Teamsters contract, but this isn't a direct take-home salary; the base wage at top pay reaches roughly $49/hour or about $100k+ in cash, with benefits adding significant value, though some drivers feel the $170k figure can be an exaggeration of take-home pay.
How often do you get a raise at UPS?
Part-timers who have been at UPS between 5-10 years will get raises of $8.50 per hour over the course of the contract and part-timers with more than 15 years or more of seniority will get raises of $9 per hour over the five years of the contract.
Does UPS pay for bereavement leave?
Paid Time Off (PTO) and Bereavement Leave
Beyond paid holidays, UPS provides Paid Time Off (PTO) for vacations, personal days, and sick leave. The amount of PTO accrues based on an employee's length of service. Additionally, UPS offers paid bereavement leave to support employees during times of loss.
What is the average grievance payout?
Lower-value claims may fall between $30,000 and $100,000, while moderate cases often settle from $100,000 to $300,000. High-damage cases—especially those involving discrimination, retaliation, or whistleblowing—can exceed $1,000,000, depending on the evidence and severity of the employer's conduct.
What is the UPS 9.5 rule?
The UPS 9.5 rule is a Teamsters contract provision that protects Regular Package Car Drivers (RPCDs) from excessive overtime, allowing them to grieve and receive triple time pay if they work over 9.5 hours daily three times in a week, with escalating penalties (like quadruple time) for repeated violations, aiming to reduce abusive over-dispatching by making UPS adjust loads and pay for breaches.
Is filing a grievance worth it?
Filing a grievance is often worth it because it formally documents issues, potentially resolves them faster, protects you from retaliation, holds employers accountable, and creates a record for legal action if needed, but its success depends on strong evidence, clear policies, and whether the issue is legally wrong or just morally wrong, as outcomes vary from positive resolution (even promotions) to stress and damaged working relationships, so weighing potential benefits against risks with a union rep or legal advisor is key.
Which pays better, UPS or FedEx?
UPS generally pays more, especially for experienced drivers, thanks to strong Teamsters union contracts that offer higher wages ($23/hr start, reaching $49/hr) with excellent benefits (pension/health), compared to FedEx's contractor-based Ground drivers who often earn less ($15-$25/hr) with minimal benefits, though FedEx Express employees and certain roles might see competitive pay. Pay varies significantly by role (handler vs. driver) and location, but UPS's unionized structure leads to significantly higher overall compensation for most unionized roles.
What do UPS drivers make after 5 years?
UPS drivers will earn an average of $170,000 in annual pay and benefits at the end of a five-year contract agreement, UPS CEO Carol Tomé said during an earnings call this week.
What is UPS top hourly pay?
UPS top hourly pay for experienced delivery drivers is currently around $45 per hour, with projected increases to approximately $49 per hour by 2028, plus significant benefits and overtime, under the latest Teamsters union contract. Starting pay for package handlers is about $21/hour, while new drivers begin around $23/hour, reaching top rates after about four years.
Do you get paid while on grievance?
The question “Is grievance leave paid?” has no one-size-fits-all answer. While some employers may offer paid leave, others might classify it as unpaid or use accrued personal leave days to cover the absence. This variability can lead to confusion, so reviewing your employment contract and local laws is crucial.
What is the average payout for harassment?
Settlements Vs.
While the average settlement is under $37,000, another study found that when harassment lawsuits go to trial, the average payout increases to $217,000. This considerable difference is partly because cases that are deemed severe are more likely to require a court trial to prove.
What is a grievance settlement?
The grievance process is how unions and management can resolve issues about the interpretation, application, or alleged violation of the collective agreement. It is also a mechanism to ensure that both parties are following the mutually agreed upon collective agreement.