FedEx says it didn’t fire black deliverymen after viral video sparks calls for boycott
Delivery services company FedEx is addressing backlash sparked by the firings of two deliverymen in Georgia who filmed their confrontation with a huffy homeowner.
The hashtag #BoycottFedEx topped the trending topics list on Twitter late Wednesday as news of the employees’ firings made its rounds on social media, according to The Hill.
The company drew sharp criticism for the incident, but fended off calls for a boycott by explaining the two men were actually employed through an independent contractor — not FedEx.
“We’re aware of the incident in GA that led to the release of two drivers employed by a service provider,” the company said in a statement obtained by McClatchy News and posted to its Twitter page early Thursday. “We are offering employment while investigating to ensure an appropriate outcome. We take seriously allegations of discrimination, retaliation, or improper employment actions.”
The Memphis-based firm found itself at the center of controversy Wednesday after social media video emerged showing a war of words between two deliverymen and a homeowner in Leesburg, Georgia, NBC News reported. The 45-second clip starts in the middle of the dispute, so it’s unclear exactly what sparked it.
“But you didn’t have to come out there cussing me like that, like I’m some little boy,” the driver, who’s African American, tells the homeowner, who is white. “I’m not a child.”
“I’ll wait ‘til the police comes,” he adds as the homeowner stands there, filming with his cellphone.
Off screen, a second employee is also filming the incident from inside the truck.
“You can record all you want,” he tells the homeowner. “I’ve got you, bruh.”
The driver returns to the truck and as they pull off, the homeowner demands to know where they’re going.,
“Man, I ain’t finna waste my time with you. You got my information,” the driver yells back. “They’ll find me. They’ll find me.”
In a series of tweets, one of the men described the moments that led to the heated confrontation. The employee, who identified himself as Antonio, said he and his partner had just finished making a delivery when they were accosted by the irate homeowner.
“All we did just delivered his package mind you he was in the house it was quick stop as soon we were leaving he ran out his house cursing and threatening us,” his Twitter post read. “And we just apologized but he kept escalating the situation then kept saying he would whoop our black asses.”
In addition to the threats, Antonio claims the man also had his wife call police.
“After the video the police came and we told our side of the story,” he wrote. “& the man said to the police ‘they look like they would’ve broke into my house while my wife is there.’ The white dude was lying the whole time.”
Video of the incident was posted to social media Wednesday, after which the workers say they were asked to take it down and subsequently were let go.
“I’m reposting this video because people like him doesn’t matter white or any race should never disrespect essential workers putting their lives in jeopardy, especially with this covid-19,” Antonio tweeted.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched on behalf of the fired workers late Wednesday and has already raised over $68,000 in donations.
FedEx said the incident remains under investigation.
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 3:35 PM with the headline "FedEx says it didn’t fire black deliverymen after viral video sparks calls for boycott."