Express, Freight News

UPS brown vans could disappear from UK streets, says Unite

[ June 16, 2026   //   Chris Lewis ]

The Unite trade union has condemned plans by US-owned express firm UPS to casualise its delivery service, which it says will lead to swathes of job losses and even the extinction of its iconic brown vans.

Unite says that under UPS’ plans, by June 2027 the company will no longer employ any frontline staff and will instead rely on self-employed drivers using their own vehicles with any remaining workers being transferred to third party employers.

Under UPS proposals the workforce will reduce from 4,000 to 800 workers and, it says, delivery drivers will have no job security or holiday or sick pay.

Unite says that UPS is currently involved in a formal consultation on its plans. The union is considering all possible options including industrial action.

Tags: Unite; UPS