Why do food warehouses charge lumper fees?

Answer 1

The short answer...money, of course, right? The longer answer...the "dock" gets a cut of the lumper fee vs. no cut if the driver unloads. That's why drivers are given such a hard time if they want to unload the delivery themselves and also paid a fraction of what the lumper fee would be. The entire lumper fee does NOT go solely to the lumper as some drivers may tell you.

In some warehouses the lumper may not even be an employee of the company therefore the company doesn't have to shell out any money for benefits. The lumper either gets paid under the table or works for a middle company who shells out the benefits.

Drivers are forced to play the game or work their tails off in a hostile environment.