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ABF | "Muler" Has Had Enough!

Disclaimer: I think Forrest was from some fictional town down close to Mobile near Mississippi called Greenbow, a few miles from Bayou La Batre where the best oysters in the world are harvested, however, I do live in Millbrook, AL, a suburb of Montgomery...hmm...reckon what small barn/pony shed he works out of? I'm proud to be an ABF Teamster for nearly 7 years and was with Yellow/YRC for over 25. Much of what has happened to unionized LTL is beyond the control of the IBT. I wish it wasn't so. I'm not sure I will ever draw a dime of pension, but that's not ABF's fault. The posts I make are for "entertainment" or "agitation" purposes only and perhaps to just "shrug my shoulders" so to speak, of a depressing situation. I couldn't make it as a comedian so I became a Teamster truckdriver. I like the Trucking boards forum since it's cheaper and probably more effective than a professional therapy session, but unfortunately you're identity gets compromised sometimes. Get what you pay for "they say." And occasionaly, you get some info ahead of the news cycle. I've been happy at ABF for the most part, and I'm always looking for a better opportunity, but right now ABF with it's problems is the best trucking job in my area...so go figure. Hopefully, it will continue to do well, and Congress will get something worked out on this pension deal next year so we all just get a bad haircut rather than a scalping....meanwhile...I'm praying I can keep my health and move on in a little over 6 more years, but, one day at a time...Sweet Jesus! I would like to see the new hires have something to hang their hat on, so that is why I am not opposed to other retirement options being on the table for new hires. The Union is very soon going to be out of the pension business anyway...by default! As we say down here, "Ya'll have a blessed Sunday!" Sorry if I offended anyone with my sarcasm and opinions. I gotta go spray these weeds in the yard, (spring has sprung in Alabama) I want it to look good in case any of Ya'll come visit. I had to let my professional lawn service go after that last contract. Will I be able to re-hire them next year? That's doubtful, but I think I do a better job anyway, and I am cheaper! Seems I'm always doing things cheaper these days...
 
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TurnCoat said:
Disclaimer: I think Forrest was from some fictional town down close to Mobile near Mississippi called Greenbow, a few miles from Bayou La Batre where the best oysters in the world are harvested, however, I do live in Millbrook, AL, a suburb of Montgomery...hmm...reckon what small barn/pony shed he works out of? I'm proud to be an ABF Teamster for nearly 7 years and was with Yellow/YRC for over 25. Much of what has happened to unionized LTL is beyond the control of the IBT. I wish it wasn't so. I'm not sure I will ever draw a dime of pension, but that's not ABF's fault. The posts I make are for "entertainment" or "agitation" purposes only and perhaps to just "shrug my shoulders" so to speak, of a depressing situation. I couldn't make it as a comedian so I became a Teamster truckdriver. I like the Trucking boards forum since it's cheaper and probably more effective than a professional therapy session, but unfortunately you're identity gets compromised sometimes. Get what you pay for "they say." And occasionaly, you get some info ahead of the news cycle. I've been happy at ABF for the most part, and I'm always looking for a better opportunity, but right now ABF with it's problems is the best trucking job in my area...so go figure. Hopefully, it will continue to do well, and Congress will get something worked out on this pension deal next year so we all just get a bad haircut rather than a scalping....meanwhile...I'm praying I can keep my health and move on in a little over 6 more years, but, one day at a time...Sweet Jesus! I would like to see the new hires have something to hang their hat on, so that is why I am not opposed to other retirement options being on the table for new hires. The Union is very soon going to be out of the pension business anyway...by default! As we say down here, "Ya'll have a blessed Sunday!" Sorry if I offended anyone with my sarcasm and opinions. I gotta go spray these weeds in the yard, (spring has sprung in Alabama) I want it to look good in case any of Ya'll come visit. I had to let my professional lawn service go after that last contract. Will I be able to re-hire them next year? That's doubtful, but I think I do a better job anyway, and I am cheaper! Seems I'm always doing things cheaper these days...
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I think you're setting the bar a little low for yourself, Brother......Of course, that's a good thing,...fewer disappointments in life.

I think the pension problem will work itself out. The problem has been identified,...........Just a matter of time before a solution occurs. Probably will need a change in political parties to expedite things,....but this is the wrong forum for that discussion......

I think the....driver availability...problem is greatly exacerbated by wages in ALL occupations rising. Instead of having the "strong hand",....companies are.....whistling past that particular graveyard,..........hoping we'll fall for their mendacious, penurious, sackcloth'n'ashes act,....like we traditionally do.
There is a severe case of Munchausen Syndrome between employers and employees in this country..........We actually WANT to help them and support our employers,..........and they want to take advantage of that...........

"Good is Never Cheap,.....and Cheap is Never Good.".............especially when liability, 40 ton equipment, and the general public mix.....This job ain't like working ON company property within four walls, where "What happens here, stays here..."

The employer's problem....is that those "four wall" jobs now pay better than ours in the LTL industry. Their quandary: Should we hire Cheap and hold our breath? Or,...should we hire Quality, and hold our breath a little less?

My disclaimer: I retired last June. I am working on a wondrous and ever-expanding potbelly. I have some used insulated coveralls and steel-toe boots for sale that I'll never use again.......But,...Once a Teamster, Always a Teamster,..........In spite of me having 9 carriers close on me,..... filing NLRB charges in a large case involving M & G Convoy, Ryder Systems, Volkswagen of America,....and the Teamsters,...... and having to raise 4 kids in a two bedroom home, .....mainly because deregulation caused me to regularly lose my employer every every other year for 15 years.......

I still take an active interest in our (their?...) contract talks. And,......in my Grey-Headed Magnificence, if I can offer Advice,......I will attempt it.

.....(...Free Advice, Brother Turncoat........Check for Green Cards of that lawn service before you re-hire them........You're Welcome...)...
 
canaryinthemine said:
I think you're setting the bar a little low for yourself, Brother......Of course, that's a good thing,...fewer disappointments in life.

I think the pension problem will work itself out. The problem has been identified,...........Just a matter of time before a solution occurs. Probably will need a change in political parties to expedite things,....but this is the wrong forum for that discussion......

I think the....driver availability...problem is greatly exacerbated by wages in ALL occupations rising. Instead of having the "strong hand",....companies are.....whistling past that particular graveyard,..........hoping we'll fall for their mendacious, penurious, sackcloth'n'ashes act,....like we traditionally do.
There is a severe case of Munchausen Syndrome between employers and employees in this country..........We actually WANT to help them and support our employers,..........and they want to take advantage of that...........

"Good is Never Cheap,.....and Cheap is Never Good."..........
Click to expand...
Well....I don't consider myself "Cheap", but seems of late I have become....how should I say it?......"Less Expensive" or as my wife says, "I don't like "cheap stuff" just nice "inexpensive" things, she prides herself in finding a "bargain"......I feel like a "bargain" these days!
 
TurnCoat said:
Well....I don't consider myself "Cheap", but seems of late I have become....how should I say it?......"Less Expensive" or as my wife says, "I don't like "cheap stuff" just nice "inexpensive" things, she prides herself in finding a "bargain"......I feel like a "bargain" these days!
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That’s good........but if I may offer more advice........

Feeling like a “bargain” is far, far better than.....looking like a “bargain”......

Keep up appearances, Brother........
 
canaryinthemine said:
I think you're setting the bar a little low for yourself, Brother......Of course, that's a good thing,...fewer disappointments in life.

I think the pension problem will work itself out. The problem has been identified,...........Just a matter of time before a solution occurs. Probably will need a change in political parties to expedite things,....but this is the wrong forum for that discussion......

I think the....driver availability...problem is greatly exacerbated by wages in ALL occupations rising. Instead of having the "strong hand",....companies are.....whistling past that particular graveyard,..........hoping we'll fall for their mendacious, penurious, sackcloth'n'ashes act,....like we traditionally do.
There is a severe case of Munchausen Syndrome between employers and employees in this country..........We actually WANT to help them and support our employers,..........and they want to take advantage of that...........

"Good is Never Cheap,.....and Cheap is Never Good.".............especially when liability, 40 ton equipment, and the general public mix.....This job ain't like working ON company property within four walls, where "What happens here, stays here..."

The employer's problem....is that those "four wall" jobs now pay better than ours in the LTL industry. Their quandary: Should we hire Cheap and hold our breath? Or,...should we hire Quality, and hold our breath a little less?

My disclaimer: I retired last June. I am working on a wondrous and ever-expanding potbelly. I have some used insulated coveralls and steel-toe boots for sale that I'll never use again.......But,...Once a Teamster, Always a Teamster,..........In spite of me having 9 carriers close on me,..... filing NLRB charges in a large case involving M & G Convoy, Ryder Systems, Volkswagen of America,....and the Teamsters,...... and having to raise 4 kids in a two bedroom home, .....mainly because deregulation caused me to regularly lose my employer every every other year for 15 years.......

I still take an active interest in our (their?...) contract talks. And,......in my Grey-Headed Magnificence, if I can offer Advice,......I will attempt it.

.....(...Free Advice, Brother Turncoat........Check for Green Cards of that lawn service before you re-hire them........You're Welcome...)...
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"ever expanding pot belly"?? I prefer the term 6PakAbs, hence my screen name !
 
TurnCoat said:
Well....I don't consider myself "Cheap", but seems of late I have become....how should I say it?......"Less Expensive" or as my wife says, "I don't like "cheap stuff" just nice "inexpensive" things, she prides herself in finding a "bargain"......I feel like a "bargain" these days!
Click to expand...
I like to call myself "frugal"...my wife calls me "cheap"...Back in the day, I drank Sterling (before the pop top cans) and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Now, those were "inexpensive" brewskis....Schlitz was out of my league
 
6PakAbs said:
I like to call myself "frugal"...my wife calls me "cheap"...Back in the day, I drank Sterling (before the pop top cans) and Pabst Blue Ribbon. Now, those were "inexpensive" brewskis....Schlitz was out of my league
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I poured some Schlitz on the ground once....and the cat came by and covered it up...didn't drink Schlitz no more :-)
 
Yeah,.....maybe we'd better go back to the topic at hand. Bro. Muler makes a very good point,.....and one near and dear to my heart. Our "Two-Man" committee,.....consisting of one....person,......couldn't get a single proposal out of more than 50 provided from the Locals in this area ,....pushed into the negotiations last contract.

Not One.......

And yet,.........That person is,....once again,......the only person on the "Two-Man" negotiating committee in this area,......in spite of an ABF steward being elected to the Vice-Presidency of the largest Local in the Tri-State.

Did I mention that the "person" in question.....has never represented an ABF barn?

Since ABF now has a "stand-alone" contract,.......there could be a good case for misrepresentation, if there aren't at least one employee from ABF on the negotiating committee,....or on the Two-Man committee,.......
 
There are no ABF Teamsters on any of the commitees? I find that hard to believe.
 
TurnCoat said:
There are no ABF Teamsters on any of the commitees? I find that hard to believe.
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I can only speak to our Supplemental area , and only for the last two contracts. I really don’t know if the rest of the negotiating committee nationally has ABF employees on them.

They should.
 
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