When I was a jumper for UPS in my college years, it was known that UPS had the best pay "in the trucking industry." UPS drivers could clear six figures after about 10 years. I think they averaged about 80k.

Now it's true that they worked them to the bone, but they were paid well. Being a UPS driver also comes with a lot of perks. My driver had several lady friends on his route. Most of the business he picked up from loved him and we got lots of Christmas presents.

Not sure if their compensation has kept up with inflation but it wasn't a bad job at all.

You can make a solid argument UPS delivery folks have better lifetime earnings than physicians:

http://www.er-doctor.com/doctor_income.html

Thanks to the union for that, I think.

I have a facebook friend who is a driver at UPS and she absolutely loves it.

Facts. UPS has excellent perks for their employees.

Wouldn't that be an indication that the wages are at market?

>at market

Ah yes, the calling card of people that think systematic exploitation of workers in a global economy where only the top few are gaining wealth is fine because "free market rules" matter in a world full of regulatory capture and industries with too high of a barrier to entry to foster true competition.

> high of a barrier to entry to foster true competition.

The article is literally about true competition being attempted in a high-moat business.

This isn't true competition. This is vertical integration.

Amazon isn't offering to deliver Walmart packages for a price.

Actually that's exactly what the article is about. Amazon has already had their own delivery drivers for a long time, they are now directly competing with UPS and FedEx by shipping packages for businesses that don't operate on Amazon's eCommerce platform.

If Amazon loses money on each delivery to stoke its market share, Walmart should use it as its delivery service until Amazon has exhausted its foray into last mile logistics.

That's literally exactly what they're offering. This is directly competing with FedEx/UPS.

"...the new service will entail the online retail giant picking up packages from businesses and shipping them to consumers."""

Because paying for things more than they are worth makes all the sense. Soviet experiment worked out really well!

Of course what Amazon will pay their delivery personnel will match the quality of Amazon service, such as it is, anyway.

I am happy to tip my waiters well. Works out great for me!

Note -- you said tip. And I imagine you tip if you got at least acceptable service (something that looking at comments here doesn't happen too often with AMZL).