Fedex Announcement
What happened today at Fedex is going to effect all of us, no matter what carrier you work for. I believe you will now see all the other carriers, both union and non-union, in the very near future, announce the same type of cost cutting measures (wage freeze and wage reduction). This will reverbrate thru the rest of the industry.YRC is no longer alone on the "island of reduced wages". When YFC made the wage reduction announcement a few weeks ago, it was looked at as a stigma by some customers and other carriers as a desperate measure by a carrier in trouble.Now we have one of the preceived strongest operating carriers announcing a similar type of consession. I believe this changes the perception of what YFC initiated. Now they look like they were ahead of the ball by making the announcement first. As I stated before, I believe we are soon going to all be in the same boat.When I heard the news today I thought of all the Fedex employees who are going to be effected by this and I was saddened by there personal income loss. However, If I was a YRC employee I would have to think you did not take joy in some one else's loss but were glad you were no longer the only carrier alone in this situation. I also think it is quite ironic that the carrier that was in the forefront of trying to capitalize on the YRC situation (remember the letters there drivers were handing out) has to now explain to there customer how the action they have taken is different than what YRC did.I have to add every carrier out there was trying to get there share of the YRC pie, Fedex was not alone I think they were just the most vocal. I do not think FEDEX will lose many managers for the simple fact there isn't any place to go that has a better outlook considering the present state of the economy.The number of carriers around has substandardly dropped from only a few years ago. In turn, so have the employment opportunities. My advice to everyone out there, no matter what carrier you work for, is work as hard as you can over the next year, If your a driver ask for additional freight when you make a pick up,if you are in sales make as many sales calls and look for additional business from both existing and new accounts, if your in ops find ways to cut cost without cutting corners and having the service suffer. The hardest working and the most adaptable carriers are still going to be standing when the smoke clears and 2010 rolls around. Years ago I had a manger who had a plaque on his desk that had the following statement on it: Every day a Lion wakes up in the jungle and knows he has to out run the slowest Gazelle in order to survive. Every day a Gazelle wakes up in the jungle and know he has to out run the fastest Lion in order to survive. Whether your a gazelle or a Lion, when you wake up in the morning you better be running.
I think that applies now more than ever.
God Bless and Good Luck to us all and may the best company win
.......dats funny....
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