The UPGF contract is a lesser contract because it is the first ever for us! Think about the IBT and rank and file have been working on the NMFA for 50 plus years do you think we can just jump out there and get the same thing? If you say yes to that you are being really nieve! For a 1st contract it is very solid and articles 1 -38 are very close to the same articles in the NMFA....read it! We will end up being the highest paid LTL carrier in the country and right know I pay with the increase $65 a week for my insurace (family + multiple) that is an increase from last year of $16/I was at $48! The insurace... I and my wife looked at the coverage and 99% of it is the same and in some coverage areas is better with the contract insurace being offered! And that insurance will be locked in for 5 yrs and 10 mths @ $38 a week!!! Do the math!!!! The $$$$ I save with the decrease insurance cost will cover my union dues and that means the raises I get (that are locked in for 5 yrs and 10 mths(.65/.70/.75/.80/.85/.90-for those who do not know) I put in my pocket!!!!!
Lets not go into the safety net with bogus TM, supervisors, etc.... trying to get you out the door for looking at them wrong! Wreck a truck if it is a tier 3-4 what ever you could be gone....think about it I am a safety trainer I have seen it, cost them $$$$ to a certain level and the TM takes a hit for his/her terminal and you could be history! Even a bad contract is a good place to start when at the present time you have nothing! I am not saying this is a bad contract at all and a matter of fact I have read this contract and have labored under the NMFA for several years and this new UPGF contract is very good and is a great place to start and in the next negotioations we can improve in areas that need improving, just like the NMFA has done for over 50 years! I promise you this look for concessions in the NMFA that is going to the 12 man commitee in Jan.! These concessions have nothing to do with our new contract but the simple fact UPGF is a deep threat to any LTL carrier because we are moving fast and UPS is working with the IBT to create a new bread of tranportation company that can and will do it all....read my previous post! Worldship is a software that gives us a look right into what is happening! These are great times brothers and lets sign them cards and watch this thing grown and when parcel and our contract comes up for renewal we will have more power and maybe...just maybe we can get that free insurance and other stuff....right? You and everyone else in the country has ONE CHANCE to get onboard with the UNION.....WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR FUTURE!?!