Editing FedEx (section)

== Criticism, controversies, and incidents ==
{{see also|Federal Express Flight 705|FedEx Express Flight 14|FedEx Express Flight 80}}

=== Labor relations ===

In December 2007, the U.S. [[Internal Revenue Service]] "tentatively decided" the FedEx Ground Division might be facing a tax liability of $319&nbsp;million for 2002, due to misclassification of its operatives as independent contractors. Reversing a 1994 decision which allowed FedEx to classify its operatives that own their own vehicles as independent contractors, the IRS audited the years 2003 to 2006, with a view to assessing whether similar misclassification of operatives had taken place. FedEx denied that any irregularities in classification had occurred, but faced legal action from operatives claiming benefits that would have accrued had they been classified as employees.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ron Da Parma |date=December 27, 2007 |title=IRS says FedEx may owe $319&nbsp;million |work=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_544387.html |url-status=dead |access-date=January 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226193328/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/s_544387.html |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In June 2009, FedEx began a campaign against UPS and the [[Teamsters]] union, accusing its competitor of receiving a [[bailout]] in an advertising campaign called "[[Brown Bailout]]". FedEx claimed that signing the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] re-authorization bill, which would let some of its workers [[Trade union|unionize]] more easily (and, according to the Memphis-based company, "could expose [its] customers at any time to local [[work stoppage]]s that interrupted the flow of their time-sensitive, high-value shipments"),<ref name="bailout">[http://factcheck.org/2009/07/brown-bailout-hardly 'Brown Bailout?' Hardly] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100619044748/http://factcheck.org/2009/07/brown-bailout-hardly/ |date=June 19, 2010 }}, FactCheck.org</ref> was equivalent to giving UPS a "bailout". Independent observers heavily criticized FedEx's wording,<ref name="bailout" /> claiming that it was "an abuse of the term".<ref name="bailout" /> FedEx Express employees are regulated under the [[Railway Labor Act]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=UPS, FedEx "Brown Bailout" battle rages on |url=http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucking-straight-talk/2010/06/10/ups-fedex-brown-bailout-battle-rages-on/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616010653/http://blog.fleetowner.com/trucking-straight-talk/2010/06/10/ups-fedex-brown-bailout-battle-rages-on/ |archive-date=June 16, 2010 |access-date=June 16, 2010 |publisher=Fleetowner.com}}</ref>

In July 2020, the [[Air Line Pilots Association, International|Air Line Pilots Association International]] (ALPA), the union that represents FedEx Corp pilots, called for a suspension on the company's Hong Kong operations. According to the union, some members were subject to "extremely difficult conditions" at hospitals urged by government mandates due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-07-29 |title=FedEx pilots, union call on company to suspend Hong Kong operations |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-fedex-idUSKCN24U03S |access-date=2020-09-15 |archive-date=September 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914202519/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-fedex-idUSKCN24U03S |url-status=live }}</ref> FedEx was criticized more broadly for providing inadequate protections and [[sick leave]] during the pandemic.<ref name="NYT sick">{{Cite news |last1=Abrams |first1=Rachel |last2=Silver-Greenberg |first2=Jessica |date=21 March 2020 |title='Terrified' Package Delivery Employees Are Going to Work Sick |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/21/business/coronavirus-ups-fedex-xpo-workers.html |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218110714/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/21/business/coronavirus-ups-fedex-xpo-workers.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Allegations of controlled substances distribution ===

On July 17, 2014, FedEx was indicted for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in cooperation with the Chhabra-Smoley Organization and Superior Drugs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moyer, Justin |date=July 18, 2014 |title=FedEx indicted for drug dealing. Not a delivery guy — the whole company. |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/18/fedex-indicted-for-drug-dealing-not-a-delivery-guy-the-whole-company/ |access-date=August 27, 2017 |archive-date=July 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716075124/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/07/18/fedex-indicted-for-drug-dealing-not-a-delivery-guy-the-whole-company/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the U.S. [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]], "FedEx is alleged to have knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute controlled substances and prescription drugs, including [[Phendimetrazine]] (Schedule III); [[Ambien]], [[Phentermine]], [[Diazepam]], and [[Alprazolam]] (Schedule IV), to customers who had no legitimate medical need for them based on invalid prescriptions issued by doctors who were acting outside the usual course of professional practice."<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 2014 |title=FedEx Indicted For Its Role In Distributing Controlled Substances And Prescription Drugs |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2014/2014_07_17_fedex.indicted.press.html |access-date=November 22, 2020 |archive-date=November 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120015938/http://www.justice.gov/usao/can/news/2014/2014_07_17_fedex.indicted.press.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> A representative for the company contested these claims, stating that it would violate personal rights of customers to deny service and that "We are a transportation company—we are not law enforcement".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elias |first=Paul |title=FedEx charges raise online pharmacy issues |url=https://news.yahoo.com/fedex-charges-raise-online-pharmacy-144213122.html |access-date=August 2, 2014 |publisher=Yahoo |archive-date=July 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729140548/http://news.yahoo.com/fedex-charges-raise-online-pharmacy-144213122.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  On July 17, 2016 the Department of Justice U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed in a statement that it had asked U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer to dismiss the indictment but also did not say why.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A trial accusing FedEx of knowingly shipping illegal prescription drugs just ended suddenly |website=[[Business Insider]] |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/a-trial-accusing-fedex-of-knowingly-shipping-illegal-prescription-drugs-just-ended-suddenly-2016-6 |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826111448/http://www.businessinsider.com/a-trial-accusing-fedex-of-knowingly-shipping-illegal-prescription-drugs-just-ended-suddenly-2016-6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Beckerman |first=Josh |date=June 20, 2016 |title=FedEx: Justice Department Dismisses Charges Over Online Pharmacy Shipments |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fedex-justice-department-dismisses-charges-over-online-pharmacy-shipments-1466201256 |access-date=August 24, 2016 |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824044322/http://www.wsj.com/articles/fedex-justice-department-dismisses-charges-over-online-pharmacy-shipments-1466201256 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2016 |title=Feds Drop Charges Claiming FedEx Knowingly Trafficked Illegal Prescription Drugs |url=http://fortune.com/2016/06/20/doj-fedex-illegal-online-pharmacies/ |access-date=August 24, 2016 |website=Fortune |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823180146/http://fortune.com/2016/06/20/doj-fedex-illegal-online-pharmacies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Illegal parking criticism ===
[[File:FedEx driver parked in bike lane.jpg|thumb|FedEx vehicle [[Parking violation|illegally parked]] in a Washington, DC bike lane in January 2020]]

[[Safe streets movement|Safe streets]] activists have criticized FedEx, along with other parcel delivery services, for frequently illegally parking their vehicles in bike lanes while making deliveries, a practice that endangers cyclists.<ref name="NYT clog">{{Cite news |last1=Haag |first1=Matthew |last2=Hu |first2=Winnie |date=27 October 2019 |title=1.5 Million Packages a Day: The Internet Brings Chaos to N.Y. Streets (Published 2019) |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/nyregion/nyc-amazon-delivery.html |access-date=9 January 2021 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128210832/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/27/nyregion/nyc-amazon-delivery.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Streetsblog NYC">{{Cite news |last=Meyer |first=David |date=1 August 2018 |title=Just Another Day in New York City's Perpetually Blocked Bike Lanes |work=[[Streetsblog]] New York City |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2018/08/01/just-another-day-in-new-york-citys-perpetually-blocked-bike-lanes/ |access-date=9 January 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208004133/https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2018/08/01/just-another-day-in-new-york-citys-perpetually-blocked-bike-lanes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They were criticized alongside peers in a letter from [[District Department of Transportation|Washington, D.C.'s transportation agency]] in 2018.<ref name="Curbed parking">{{Cite news |last=Giambrone |first=Andrew |date=5 November 2018 |title=Don't park in bike lanes, D.C. officials tell major mail carriers |language=en |work=[[Curbed DC]] |url=https://dc.curbed.com/2018/11/5/18065202/dc-bike-lanes-mail-carriers-vision-zero |access-date=9 January 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111115557/https://dc.curbed.com/2018/11/5/18065202/dc-bike-lanes-mail-carriers-vision-zero |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Criticism of NRA partnership ===

FedEx was criticized for its partnership with the [[National Rifle Association of America]], which it terminated in 2018 under pressure from activists.<ref name="NRA NYT">{{Cite news |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |date=30 October 2018 |title=FedEx Ends Deal for N.R.A. but Says It's Not Because of Pittsburgh Shooting (Published 2018) |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/business/fedex-nra-discount.html |access-date=9 January 2021 |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111090543/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/30/business/fedex-nra-discount.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Huawei package delivery dispute ===

On June 1, 2019, China filed a case against FedEx for allegedly undermining the rights of Chinese clients.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kimball |first=Spencer |title=Beijing to investigate FedEx for 'damaging rights of Chinese clients' amid Huawei dispute |agency=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/01/beijing-to-investigate-fedex-for-damaging-rights-of-chinese-clients-amid-huawei-dispute.html |access-date=2019-06-01 |archive-date=June 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601171602/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/01/beijing-to-investigate-fedex-for-damaging-rights-of-chinese-clients-amid-huawei-dispute.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The investigation stemmed from FedEx diverting [[Huawei]] packages destined for Asia to FedEx's headquarters in the United States instead without authorisation, after Huawei was added to the US [[Entity List]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2019-05-28 |title=Exclusive: Huawei reviewing FedEx relationship, says packages... |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-huawei-tech-fedex-exclusive-idUSKCN1SX1RZ |access-date=2019-05-28 |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530015204/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-huawei-tech-fedex-exclusive-idUSKCN1SX1RZ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Sabur |first=Rozina |date=2019-05-28 |title=Huawei reviewing ties with FedEx after two packers were 'diverted to America' |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/28/huawei-reviewing-ties-fedex-two-packers-diverted-america/ |access-date=2019-05-29 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529221732/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/28/huawei-reviewing-ties-fedex-two-packers-diverted-america/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Huawei accuses FedEx of diverting documents to the US |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/27/huawei-fedex-diverting-documents-accusation/ |access-date=2019-05-29 |website=Engadget |date=May 28, 2019 |archive-date=May 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529173725/https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/27/huawei-fedex-diverting-documents-accusation/ |url-status=live }}</ref> FedEx later apologised for the "mistransportation".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite news |title=FedEx apologises to Huawei for re-routing packages to the US |url=https://www.scmp.com/tech/gear/article/3012162/fedex-apologises-huawei-re-routing-packages-us |work=South China Morning Post |date=28 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

It has also been reported that FedEx refused to deliver a used Huawei phone into the US. Writers at [[PC Magazine]] tried to ship a [[Huawei P30]] from a UK office to a US one to find it sent back a few days later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandom |first=Russell |date=2019-06-21 |title=FedEx refused to deliver a Huawei phone into the US |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/21/18701276/huawei-ban-fedex-ban-pc-magazine-shipment |access-date=2019-06-22 |website=The Verge |archive-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622060005/https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/21/18701276/huawei-ban-fedex-ban-pc-magazine-shipment |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Segan |first1=Sascha |last2=Smith |first2=Adam |date=June 21, 2019 |title=FedEx Refused to Ship Our Huawei Phone |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/369155/are-huawei-phones-now-banned-from-the-mail |magazine=[[PC Magazine]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |access-date=June 22, 2019 |archive-date=June 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621191734/https://www.pcmag.com/news/369155/are-huawei-phones-now-banned-from-the-mail |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2019, China accused FedEx of holding back more than 100 packages that Huawei was trying to deliver to China. Chinese regulators said that the company committed "violations" when it diverted Huawei parcels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese officials suspect FedEx held back over 100 Huawei packages |date=July 26, 2019 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/26/business/fedex-huawei-china-probe/index.html |access-date=26 July 2019 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=July 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726105536/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/26/business/fedex-huawei-china-probe/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Allegations of tax avoidance ===

In December 2019, [[CNBC]] listed FedEx along with 378 additional [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] companies that "paid an effective federal tax rate of 0% or less" as a result of the [[Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pound |first=Jesse |date=December 16, 2019 |title=These 91 companies paid no federal taxes in 2018 |work=[[CNBC]] |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/16/these-91-fortune-500-companies-didnt-pay-federal-taxes-in-2018.html |access-date=2020-02-11 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610045455/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/16/these-91-fortune-500-companies-didnt-pay-federal-taxes-in-2018.html |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that FedEx paid $1.5 billion in taxes after the 2017 fiscal year (effective tax rate of 34%) and then $0 after the 2018 fiscal year (effective tax rate of 0%) as a result of lobbying done by the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tankersley |first1=Jim |last2=Eavis |first2=Peter |last3=Casselman |first3=Ben |date=2019-11-17 |title=How FedEx Cut Its Tax Bill to $0 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/17/business/how-fedex-cut-its-tax-bill-to-0.html |access-date=2020-02-20 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130103622/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/17/business/how-fedex-cut-its-tax-bill-to-0.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Mass shooting at Indianapolis facility ===
{{Main|Indianapolis FedEx shooting}}

A FedEx Ground facility was the site of a mass shooting in Indianapolis on April 15, 2021, causing nine deaths (including the perpetrator) and at least 6 injuries.

=== Texas fatal crash ===
A FedEx truck in [[Texas]] veered into the oncoming lane and collided with oncoming SUV in Texas in May 2024 causing all five people in the SUV to die.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Alund |first=Natalie Neysa |title=5 family members killed after FedEx truck crashes into SUV in south Texas |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/05/30/fedex-truck-crash-eagle-pass-texas/73903970007/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Neath |first=Amelia |date=2024-05-31 |title=Family of five killed after FedEx truck smashed into their SUV in Texas |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/family-five-texas-crash-fedex-b2554446.html |access-date=2024-06-03 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

=== Pennsylvania vehicular homicide ===
A FedEx driver Santos M. Valentin killed three people in July 2024 while driving a FedEx semi truck while using his cell phone. Santos has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. Valentin claimed the victim's vehicle came out of nowhere, however video footage from inside the FedEx truck's cab showed Valentin looking at his phone for a long period leading up to the crash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panyard |first=Jack |date=2025-02-13 |title=Philadelphia man killed New York father and 2 children in July turnpike crash: police |url=https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/philadelphia-man-killed-new-york-father-and-2-children-in-july-turnpike-crash-police/article_e663886e-ea4c-11ef-b5af-bf23832a6fb2.html |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=LancasterOnline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Jenna |date=2025-02-13 |title=FedEx driver was on his phone during Pa. Turnpike crash that killed father, 2 kids: police |url=https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2025/02/fedex-driver-was-on-his-phone-during-pa-turnpike-crash-that-killed-father-2-kids-police.html |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=pennlive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=FedEx driver charged in triple fatality crash on PA Turnpike |url=https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/santos-valentin-homicide-by-vehicle-fedex-truck-driver-deadly-crash-turnpike/521-cdb553d4-02a4-41a5-808d-adb1044577c1 |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=fox43.com |language=en-US}}</ref>