United Parcel Service (UPS), the global shipping giant headquartered in the Atlanta metro area, revealed plans Tuesday to eliminate up to 30,000 operational jobs this year as part of its ongoing turnaround strategy.
The announcement came during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, where executives also disclosed intentions to close 24 facilities in the first half of 2026, with potential for additional closures later in the year.
UPS To Cut 30K Jobs
The cuts primarily target operational roles, including delivery drivers and warehouse workers, and will be achieved largely through attrition and a second voluntary separation program for full-time drivers, according to Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes.
Dykes described the reductions as a “tactical move” to align staffing and network infrastructure with current volume levels and delivery demands.
This latest round follows significant workforce reductions in 2025, when UPS eliminated approximately 48,000 positions—including 34,000 operational jobs and 14,000 management roles—and closed operations at 93 facilities.
The company’s multi-year plan has focused on reducing its reliance on low-margin deliveries for Amazon, its former largest customer, while shifting toward higher-profit business segments such as healthcare logistics.
CEO Carol Tomé emphasized during the call that UPS is in the final stages of an accelerated “glide down” in Amazon volume, having already reduced daily Amazon packages by about 1 million pieces in 2025.
The company plans to cut another million pieces per day in 2026 while continuing network reconfiguration and deploying more automation to improve efficiency.
Despite the job cuts, UPS reported stronger-than-expected results for the critical holiday quarter, with fourth-quarter revenue reaching $24.5 billion. The company projected full-year 2026 revenue of approximately $89.7 billion, signaling confidence in its strategic pivot away from unprofitable volumes.
As Atlanta’s largest private employer and a cornerstone of the regional economy, the announcement carries significant implications for the metro area.
UPS’s headquarters in Sandy Springs and its extensive network of facilities across Georgia mean that local workers could feel the effects of the operational reductions, though the company has not specified how many positions or facilities in the state will be impacted.
Previous rounds of cuts have already affected Georgia operations, and union representatives have expressed concerns about the pace of workforce changes.
UPS has described the overall plan as essential for long-term profitability and competitiveness in a changing parcel delivery landscape, including the winding down of low-value e-commerce shipments and the end of certain duty-free import rules.
The company’s stock rose following the announcement, reflecting investor approval of the cost-saving measures and revenue outlook.
Atlanta residents and workers affected by the changes are encouraged to monitor UPS communications and local union updates for more details on voluntary programs and potential support resources. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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