LEBANON, Tenn. (WSMV) – Delivery drivers who contracted with Amazon through ‘Pave It Forward Logistics’ are without their final paychecks nearly three weeks after the company dissolved.
Cole Hurbert started delivering Amazon packages because he saw stability.
“This is the kind of job you expect to keep for a long time,” Hurbert said.
He worked for Pave It Forward Logistics, a company that contracts with Amazon to make deliveries. The drivers are not Amazon employees, but the connection alone gave Hurbert and others a sense of job security.
“No one was prepared for this—for us not to get our paycheck,” Amber Letendre said.
Company closes without warning
Delivery drivers showed up to work March 31 to find out Pave It Forward Logistics had dissolved. Workers were left with no clear picture of when they would get their last week of pay.
“We’re pretty angry… we’re frustrated… we’re stressed out,” Letendre said. “We still have no explanation as to what really happened.”
Three weeks later, the drivers say the owner has ducked calls and texts.
“I’m currently struggling with the mortgage right now… we got it paid, barely…There’s a good chance my wifi is gonna get cut out for the next week or so,” Hurbert said.
The drivers say the owner told them it’s Amazon’s fault for not paying him. An Amazon spokesperson disputes that.
“My bank doesn’t care about that. The bills need to get paid and I need to know where that money is coming from,” Hurbert said.
Amazon says since the drivers aren’t their employees, they can only help them move to other delivery partners. The company recommends workers file complaints with the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The company filed a WARN notice with the state two days after they closed. The state says the owner has 21 days from the closure date to pay the employees back. If it isn’t handled by then, the state will open an investigation.
Twenty complaints have been filed with the state about the closure.
What are Delivery Service Partners?
According to Amazon, Delivery Service Partners, or DSPs, are “independent, small business owners who manage their own operations and all aspects of managing their employees, including hiring and payroll.”
Amazon said in a statement to WSMV:
“These business owners choose to work with Amazon, or with other companies besides Amazon. Late last month, the owner of Pave it Forward Logistics decided to suddenly leave the DSP program. Since then, we’ve been attempting to work with the owner to ensure an orderly wind-down. Unfortunately, we haven’t received a response. We’re facilitating connections between Pave it Forward’s delivery associates and other DSPs in the area who may have openings.”
Amazon says since the employees working under DSPs are not Amazon employees, former employees of Pave it Forward Logistics need to take up the issue of pay with the owner.
“The owner of Pave It Forward Logistics is responsible for all aspects of managing their business, including payroll. They work directly with a payroll provider to ensure their employees are paid for any wages owed. This means that employees of Pave It Forward should continue to work with the business owner to resolve this matter. We continue to stand ready to work with the owner of Pave It Forward Logistics to ensure an orderly wind-down of their operations.”
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