UPS ups its people

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — From Mercury to the Sun is about 75 million clicks.

That’s also, give or take, the accident-free distance driven by the members of UPS’ Circle of Honour, a distinguished group of drivers recognized by their company this month.

Circle of Honour drivers have achieved 25 years or more of safe driving and the badge is UPS’s highest level of driving recognition.
"How many people," said UPS Canada President Mike Teirney, "can say they have driven accident free for 25 years in their personal vehicles, let alone during a 25-year driving career?"

In 2008 alone, 11 drivers were added to the list, bringing the total to 24. One driver has been accident free for 30 years. And last year, Kathy Cianci — UPS’s first female driver — became the first Canadian woman to be inducted into the Circle of Honour.

"I am proud and privileged to celebrate such accomplished drivers," said Mike Tierney. "UPS has been in Canada for 33 years, so reaching 25 years of safe driving means a lot of these drivers have been around since UPS’s early days in Canada."

UPS Circle of Honour

UPS opened up in Canada — the first branch plant outside the U.S. — in ’75. Drivers delivered packages in Checker cabs and Chevy Impalas.

This year marks the first time drivers get a special badge to add to the UPS uniform to signal that they’re members.

Drivers who were awarded with the badges at a ceremony in Mississauga recently were:

Carl Grech, of Windsor, Ont., Ray Livesey of Kingston, Ont., Frank Jarvis, of Tecumseh, Ont., Kevin Dales, of Walkerton, Ont., Errol Joseph, of London, Ont., Norm Hilton, of London, Ont., Kevin Richardson of Beamsville, Ont., Frank Broderick, of East Aurora, Ont., Richard Boucher, of Saint Jean Sur Richlieu, Que., Monty Yip, of Windsor, Ont., Bill Thornton, of Essex., Ont., Desmond Knight, of Brampton, Ont., Mike Delouchery, of Scarborough, Ont., Glenn Ross, of Etobicoke, Ont., Robert Avis, of Tara, Ont., Walt Haehnel, of Dutton, Ont., Ted Rivest, of Southampton, Ont., Barry Burkholder, of Thorold, Ont., Kathy Cianci, of Dutton, Ont., and Doug Coxon, of Lucan, Ont.

Also on hand were UPS Canada’s Keith Porter and Randy Smith as well as UPS Canada President Mike Tierney.