Dozens of DPD drivers in Preston have stood down from work on Tuesday morning in response to changes to the payment they receive for delivering parcels.
An estimated 90 self-employed drivers parked up outside the DPD Depot at Millenium City Park in Preston on Tuesday (7 October) after the firm announced a cut to the rate for smaller parcels of 65p – which drivers say will cost them hundreds per month.
The move will affect thousands nationwide but the company said it will introduce new incentives to increase earnings year-round.
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One driver told Blog Preston that there will be around 10,000 parcels in Preston that will not go out for delivery as a result of the action taken.
He told us: “We have decided to take a stand today due to DPD deciding with no notice period that they would be reducing our price per delivery by 65p.
“This would roughly equate to a daily loss of £65-£75.”
Drivers elsewhere in the UK said that the changes to their terms were a ‘substantial knock to wages’, noting that drivers get up at 5am to load up before making deliveries.
A spokesperson 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.”
But the driver who spoke to Blog Preston said that this figure does not include the cost of running a van, insuring it and repairs.
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