Drivers sue FedEx over contractor status

* 31 current, former drivers sue FedEx

* Suit claims drivers are employees, not independent

* Latest in long-running feud

BOSTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Thirty-one current and former truck drivers at FedEx Corp (FDX.N) sued the U.S. package delivery company on Tuesday, claiming it improperly classifies them as independent contractors rather than employees.

The suit is the latest in a long-running row between FedEx and some of its truck drivers, who are seeking union representation. Truck drivers at larger rival United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N) are represented by the Teamsters.

The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Boston and seeks class-action status, contends the degree of control FedEx exerts over its drivers -- including setting rules on uniforms and equipment -- amounts to an employer-employee relationship, rather than a customer-contractor relationship.

Currently, only the roughly 4,200 pilots employed by the Memphis, Tennessee-based company's air express unit are unionized. Overall, FedEx employs about 125,000 people in the United States.

Analysts say the independent contractor model for truckers provides FedEx a competitive advantage over UPS.

The lead plaintiff in the suit is David Duval of Acushnet, Massachusetts. The suits seeks an injunction changing the independent contractor classification and monetary damages.

A FedEx spokesman could not be reached for immediate comment, but in the past the company has said it believes the independent contractor model is justified.

The case is David Duval v. FedEx Ground Package System, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, No. 10-11409. (Reporting by Scott Malone; editing by Andre Grenon)