25 years ago: 1986

Jeff

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25 years ago: 1986
About 10,000 workers across the country, including about 500 Memphians, lost their jobs yesterday when McLean Trucking Co. filed for reorganization under the U.S. bankruptcy code. McLean, the nation's fifth largest trucking firm, is one of a number of trucking firms that have failed since the deregulation of the industry, which opened the roads to cut-rate, nonunion companies. A trucking industry observer warned that McLean's troubles could affect other trucking companies with operations in Memphis.
 
I had many friends and family members who were among those losing their jobs. I was with Johnson Motor Lines when Johnson closed the doors in 1980, I was an owner-operator with Johnson and just as the company drivers, the owner-operators were Teamsters. Before deregulation, I was pulling freight out of Baltimore, Md. to Pineville, La paying $2300, after deregulation the "cut-throats" started pulling the same load for $1200. Now remember what fuel prices were in '79 and the cost of truck maintenance and then compare the
"bottom line" then and now.
 
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boy this is an old thread. i hope most of the double diamond drivers i worked with are still around. i worked out of westsex started in 74 and then went to clarion till the end of the company. it was some troubling times and now it is again and again and again. good luck to all and thanks to all the drivers that take a stand against all that has gone against labor. i know i took a stand along with a few others near the end of double diamond against any giveback and it did't make me any friends. but after the smoke cleared i had many drivers come to me and tell me i was right and if they would have known then what they know now then would have done things a lot different.
 
boy this is an old thread. i hope most of the double diamond drivers i worked with are still around. i worked out of westsex started in 74 and then went to clarion till the end of the company. it was some troubling times and now it is again and again and again. good luck to all and thanks to all the drivers that take a stand against all that has gone against labor. i know i took a stand along with a few others near the end of double diamond against any giveback and it did't make me any friends. but after the smoke cleared i had many drivers come to me and tell me i was right and if they would have known then what they know now then would have done things a lot different.
83-86. Narrows drive. Lebanon, PA.
 
83-86. Narrows drive. Lebanon, PA.
raildog I almost transferred to Lebanon. came within 2 drivers on the change but everything worked out for the best. I am still in contact with friends that transferred and then returned back to western pa. hope all is well with you.
 
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