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ABF | IBT Denies ABF’s Claim of Concessions Talks

I know driving around town with the upack flatbed is a pain. But the upack right now is paying the rent. I also know that our company treats our employees alot better than most companies. We are still making a decent wage, we have all of our benefits and they are still paying into are pension. I talked to a nonunion today who has not had a raise in 2 years. Also their cost to cover themselves and their families have increased. This person isn't some high exec who might be entitled to any bonus process so I don't know about that. You can cry the blues all you want but it could be a heck of alot worse.
 
"cry the blues" OK, Let's get back to the topic of this Thread. You should tell that person how great it is to be Union. Lets keep those decent wages and benefits, and if or when ABF does ask for Concessions lets tell them NO WAY!
 
Wow... do you have any more kool-aid???? You have to be in mgmt, if not you must be knew to be that geen
 
I'll vouch for that... non-union (go) hasn't had a raise in over 2 years, no bonuses either (bonuses are based on O.R. and the target OR is adjusted every year)... benefits cost has gone up while benefits coverage has decreased.

I'd have to guess if benefits hadn't been modified and I got my c.o.l. raise the last two years I'd be at least 8% to 13% higher overall than I am right now... so basically I've taken an 8% to 13% cut already! Union or not... I'm gonna be pissed if they take any money back... I'm on your side on that one no matter what! And no, I'm not management, not even close. I'm just a non-union, go worker.

I'm just saying, just because I'm not a truck driver doesn't mean I'm management and doesn't mean I won't and/or haven't given up things up to this point already.
 
truckchick1 said:
I don't understand so much the grief about Judy & Wes's wage increases. These are promotions, not so much raises. I can not think of anyone who would be willing to take on more responsibilities without compensation. Yes they also get stock options with these raises. But their wages are well within the norm of their positions.

As for the claims on concession talks which this thread is about. A memo was posted today saying many of Wes kemps statements were glorified by the reporter. He still claims that there has been dialog with the IBT. I would be more willing to bet that there is less truth in Tyson Johnsons statement than with Wes Kemps.
Click to expand...

http://www.truckingboards.com/truck...-fax-11-21-09-no-wage-concessions-letter.html
 
yah I've seen both sides of the "we are, we aren't" issues... i can't think of who to believe... I mean... if ABF is lying, what do they get out of lying? There would have to be some benefit for it? I mean, noone is happy to hear about possible concessions... but I just cant' see what possible motivation they could have to be lying. It's not like anyone would be on their side.

BUT... if the union reps are lying (or maybe using a loose interpretation of "discussing") then I can see them doing that because they would take a LOT of flak for even appearing to be ok with concessions... I imagine there'd be a lot of people in their ear if they heard that...

Who knows... I'm sure we'll all find out about it (if it's really happening) when we least expect it!
 
truckchick1 said:
I know driving around town with the upack flatbed is a pain. But the upack right now is paying the rent. I also know that our company treats our employees alot better than most companies. We are still making a decent wage, we have all of our benefits and they are still paying into are pension. I talked to a nonunion today who has not had a raise in 2 years. Also their cost to cover themselves and their families have increased. This person isn't some high exec who might be entitled to any bonus process so I don't know about that. You can cry the blues all you want but it could be a heck of alot worse.
Click to expand...

Good post truckcick1, You are right it could be a whole lot worse. Is YRC still paying into their pension? NO! There are not only union companies that are no longer paying into retirement for their employees but none union as well.
Your benefits are top shelf. This depression is real and all this throat cutting in rates is real. As far as I'm concerned ABF lasting this long before making concessions is a testament to a outstanding company. I don't work for ABF but I have friends that do and I have always admired the company. The nonunion out way number the union companies now. So every union member has to work twice as hard cuts and all to may their company the best and show the industry union companies are the best in class.
 
Either the Teamsters or ABF Freight System is Lying. Maybe Both.
November 23, 2009

AnalysisAnalysis by: John Schulz
Analysis of: ABF, Teamsters May -- Or May Not -- Be in Concession Talks

Summary
ABF Freight System, the nation's fifth-largest LTL carrier, is seeking wage concessions from the Teamsters union to match the 15 percent givebacks obtained by YRC Worldwide, the nation's largest LTL carrier. But the Teamsters union is publicly denying that any concession talks are taking place.


Analysis
What we have here, ladies and gentlemen, is a failure to communicate.
One day after an online report in the Journal of Commerce reported that ABF Freight System was "deep in talks" with the Teamsters union on concessions to match the 15 percent wage giveback and pension freeze won earlier this year by YRC Worldwide, the Teamsters union issued a strongly worded statement that the union is "not having contract or concession discussions" with ABF...

Either the Teamsters or ABF Freight System is Lying. Maybe Both. - GLG News
 
The following post was added November 23, 2009 at 3:50pm to topic Miscellaneous Comments/Questions by InfoRoundtable:

" Mr. Kemp's letter to employees below addresses your concerns. ABF FREIGHT SYSTEM, INC. P.O. Box 10048 Fort Smith, AR 72917-0048 Wesley B. Kemp President and Chief Operating Officer Dear Fellow Employees, I expect many of you may have heard about or read the article that was posted to the Journal of Commerce website on November 19, 2009 concerning my comments to the press on the issue of wage concessions. Essentially, I communicated a portion of what I had already covered with you in the third quarter Team Report. I explained that we were in dialogue and had submitted a proposal to the IBT. Terms used in the article such as "deep in talks" and "expects to win" were subjective interpretations from the writer of the article. I simply stated that we were in a dialogue and that I was hopeful that we would reach an agreement. More importantly, the writer incorrectly described how our proposed profit-sharing plan would function. Just to clarify, our proposal would allow employees to share in profits instead of being afforded stock options similar to those offered in YRC's job security agreement. We never intended to "restructure the company's pension system by switching to a profit-sharing plan" as the article indicated. In response to the article, the IBT posted a comment on their website alleging that they were not having contract or concession discussions with ABF. Obviously, there's a difference of opinion as to how one would characterize the communications that have taken place between ABF and the IBT concerning this matter and it is better to discuss semantic issues privately with IBT leadership ? not in a public forum. In the final analysis, the Teamsters and ABF undeniably have a common goal: to grow our business and create jobs. You can be certain that ABF is committed to that end and remains open to further discussions with the IBT. Please remember that reports in the media are often inaccurate. I simply ask that you continue to rely on communication provided to you directly from the company for the most accurate information about the company. We would never mislead any of our trusted employees ? and we value our long term relationship with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Sincerely, Wes Kemp"
 
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