EXCLUSIVE: UPS Workers Caught On Video Handling Holiday Packages Without Care

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (CBS 2) -- It's not the image delivery companies are looking for, especially during the holiday season.

UPS workers were recently caught on camera, throwing packages from the back of a truck as a mountain of boxes spilled out onto a puddle-filled parking lot.

Families across the Tri-State Area are anxiously waiting for their holiday packages, but some could arrive on your doorstep battered and bruised, CBS 2's Jessica Schneider reported exclusively on Friday.

Just call them the scrooges of the holiday season. CBS 2 obtained cellphone video that shows packages being handled without care, tossed off the back of a truck that was tucked away in a parking lot of a city park in South Orange.

A UPS worker is seen literally throwing boxes off the platform and onto wet and muddy pavement below.

CBS 2's Christine Sloan confronted the drivers, who didn't even try to defend themselves.

"Ma'am we have no comment, thank you," was the answer Sloan received after she asked the workers if that was any way to treat people's packages.

"It is what it is," said an employee off camera.

With the busy holiday season UPS loads gifts into rental vehicles and workers later transfer them to the standard delivery trucks.

But the employees captured on video gave them a toss, instead of a delicate transfer.

When asked by Sloan if they throw boxes, one employee responded, "We don't throw boxes."

Area holiday gift givers were shocked by the video.

"I get angry, but there's no recourse, what do I do? Go to FedEx? Aren't they the same? Or all the other carriers? We have no control once we hang up the phone or click the send button once we purchase something," said George Arias of Maplewood, N.J.

After the packages were tossed into piles, many of them sat in puddles, Schneider reported.

Sloan: "These boxes are sitting on wet pavement. Anything you guys want to say?"

UPS employee: "Happy holidays."

It's a practice some worry might be more common than we think.

"Am I surprised? No, I'm not surprised. Disappointed? I think if I got anything broken I probably would. But all of my stuff is OK, at least for now," said Caryn Emmons of Maplewood.

CBS 2 told UPS about the mishandling of packages that it saw first-hand. The delivery company responded with the following statement:

"UPS drivers and seasonal delivery helpers are trained in methods for proper package handling. Though it's our busiest time, we certainly don't condone any other behavior," a spokesperson said.

UPS also told CBS 2 it will speak to managers at the local delivery center and demand they take corrective action, and even retrain some of their workers.

"I spend a lot of money on mailing my packages and I want it to get there safely," said Christopher Jennings of South Orange.

But as the video shows, getting there safely is a lot less certain.

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