First post, wow...
Hey everyone, my first post here on this board. Just to FYI, I am a 15 1/2 year Overnite guy. I've been on both sides of the fence. Started as PT dock, Jockey, PU&D, MGMT, & RDDR. I've also been on both sides of the union issue. In MGMT I actually was a part of OVNT fighting the teamsters.
Now things have changed. UPS is not OVNT. I played the whole what's best for me game for a long time. Sometimes things worked out, sometimes not. I've learned over the past few years that what I do or don't do on the job has a direct effect on the other guys I work with. What's always best for me personally and short term is more than likely going to hurt another co-worker somewhere along the line. I am in this for the long term. I have kids now, 1 - 18 mo old, & 1 - 2 mo old.
I can no longer think about what is best for me next week, or next year. I have to do what is best for my family for the next 20 years. What is best for me for the next 20 years is also what is best for every guy I go to work with; Stability, security in employment and $$$$. As a stand alone worker at UPS, you have nothing standing between you and the street. I do not care how good or talented you think you may be. I don't care how buddy-buddy you
think you are with your TM. At UPS and any large corporation, EVERYONE is replaceable. And the fact is your replacement will work cheaper than you will. That includes everyone in MGMT. UPS is a meat grinder to any and every employee. Nothing or no one will stand in their way to maximize the bottom line for their shareholders. That's our system here in the USA.
UPS deals with the teamsters becuase they have to deal with them. Period. They don't do it because they think they are bunch of swell guys. It's business for both sides. It just so happens that the teamsters business is protecting the average guys butt for being taken advantage of by the company. The teamsters aren't a bunch of guys sitting up in D.C.
It's me, liebstandarte, & you working together to do what is best for our families and jobs. Long-term it makes no sense for me or the union to stand in the way of UPS being healthy and profitable. But, AND IT IS A HUGE BUT! We have every right and responsiblilty to make sure that ALL of us are healthy and profitable not just the shareholders (of course, of which , I am one).
I am not pro-union or pro-company, I am for whatever benefits me.
So make me a beleiver, show me where I am gonna gain, by voting yes.
We can not be as myoptic to think that we as individuals in a sea of 425,000 other employees are going to be able to take care of ourselves by ourselves. At OVNT you could do it. I did it. Wishing and hoping that things don't change won't make it so. UPS will squeeze every last bit of efficiency and $$$ from every employee, that's what they do. That's why they make $4billion in profit for the shareholders every year. Keep thinking you are on an island and you may well end up on one, alone, and wondering what happened to that really good paycheck you use to get.
Peace and Merry CHRIST-MASS to all,
TX_jarhead
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