Delivery drivers sacked by SMS: union

Office supplies giant Staples has sacked 45 delivery drivers via SMS following pay disputes, their union says.

The owner-drivers earn as little as $8 an hour to deliver online orders and have tried to negotiate contracts for higher pay, Transport Workers Union NSW Secretary Michael Aird said in a statement on Tuesday.

"You can't run a business on that and you certainly can't support a family on that money," he said.

Owner-driver Richard Manning said Staples drivers were "desperate" and couldn't make ends meet.

"We have tried on numerous occasions to sit down with management and reach a fair solution but they have snubbed us at every turn," he said.

Mr Aird said Staples offered some drivers a new contract on existing rates, while others had not been offered jobs back.

The drivers will attend the NSW Industrial Relations Commission on Tuesday and ask to be reinstated.

Staples has been contacted for comment.