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ABF | New Hire Advice

In my opinion, Brother DieselGeek,....I don't think we'll be on strike,...or locked out,..or any other labor stoppage. Paychecks will continue to roll, work will continue. We'll probably go to an extension of the contract.....maybe for quite a lengthy period of time. The negotiating teams are running out of time to offer the rank-and-file a contract to vote on before March 31st.....and frankly, neither side appears to be in a hurry....otherwise we would have round-the-clock negotiations. Just my opinion, though.
 
canaryinthemine said:
Are you trying to get on at a larger terminal? I mean about a 20 or above seniority list? Might be worth your while....but, as Brother ABF'er said,...there's no guarantees. Our supplement in Western Penna. says if you work 180 days....irregardless of how long it takes...a year...or 6 months.....or two years...you go on the seniority list. But that's no guarantee of full time work. Not sure about other supplements, but we added that to prevent ongoing abuses of people trying to get hired. Conversely,...if management decides they need you badly, they can bypass most of the contractual language and put you on as a new-hire immediately. I can say this, though...and I think Brother ABFer will concur......this is a pretty good job,...actually it's the best job I ever had....ABF doesn't hire children.....so they back your judgement and decisions on the street like no other company I've ever worked for.....no arguments, if you had a reason for what you did. And....don't mind Stoney....he's the poster-child for the reason the Union is no where near as strong as it used to be. You'll meet very, very few of that type here.
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I think there are 52 on the board if I remember from the interview. One is retiring soon, and 3 are awaiting the contract. I hear nothing but great things about working at ABF. I don't like the being on call aspect, but everyone before put in their dues, so only fair! I can always plow snow/ find a part time job for the winter months if need be before being on the board. What are the average shifts that those of you with seniority work? 7am-6pm? longer, or shorter? Mon-Fri? I didn't get into this details a great deal when I interviewed. Terminal has 8 road drivers I believe. Not sure if I would rather do P&D or Linehaul if hired.
 
Dieselgeek said:
I think there are 52 on the board if I remember from the interview. One is retiring soon, and 3 are awaiting the contract. I hear nothing but great things about working at ABF. I don't like the being on call aspect, but everyone before put in their dues, so only fair! I can always plow snow/ find a part time job for the winter months if need be before being on the board. What are the average shifts that those of you with seniority work? 7am-6pm? longer, or shorter? Mon-Fri? I didn't get into this details a great deal when I interviewed. Terminal has 8 road drivers I believe. Not sure if I would rather do P&D or Linehaul if hired.
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That's a fairly large terminal you are looking at and it should be a good place to land. No telling what your hours could be from here. They might be able to tell you there. Next question is are you able to hop from P&D to road when bids are up or are you locked into where you start? All in all I'd say it sounds like you've got a good opportunity at ABF there either way. Road work will most always be night time and P&D daylight except for late bids like noon or dock in evening or midnight.

But be careful of what you divulge, if there is a network revamping after the contract the Stonehead might want to muscle in on your territory since he turned down a great career at Wal-mart.
 
Just ask yourself if you wanna work with drones like ABFer and Canary who are intent on killing this great company. And remember union brotherhood doesn't exsist.
You'll have those who preach brotherhood, but the second you turn around they will stab you in the back. Or say something they don't agree with, and watch brotherhood go out the window.

The union has become a joke. Its really kinda sad.
 
Stoney said:
Just ask yourself if you wanna work with drones like ABFer and Canary who are intent on killing this great company. And remember union brotherhood doesn't exsist.
You'll have those who preach brotherhood, but the second you turn around they will stab you in the back. Or say something they don't agree with, and watch brotherhood go out the window.

The union has become a joke. Its really kinda sad.
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:crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby:

:hysterical:
What more can I say?
 
See what I mean. If you don't go with the flow, then they act like abfer here.

Thanks for proving my point abfer.
 
Stoney said:
Just ask yourself if you wanna work with drones like ABFer and Canary who are intent on killing this great company. And remember union brotherhood doesn't exsist.
You'll have those who preach brotherhood, but the second you turn around they will stab you in the back. Or say something they don't agree with, and watch brotherhood go out the window.

The union has become a joke. Its really kinda sad.
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The last time I looked the union does not have chains wrapped around you Stoney. If you are so disenchanted with the Teamsters why do you stay at ABF? Oh thats right the pay and benefits are good but you don"t like paying those union dues do you? Plenty of non union jobs out there. No dues, check them out they are looking for employees like you. Have a good day.:1036316054:
 
Stoney said:
Just ask yourself if you wanna work with drones like ABFer and Canary who are intent on killing this great company. And remember union brotherhood doesn't exsist.
You'll have those who preach brotherhood, but the second you turn around they will stab you in the back. Or say something they don't agree with, and watch brotherhood go out the window.

The union has become a joke. Its really kinda sad.
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How are they intent on killing this company? Why don't you elaborate?
 
Regardless of the arguing, I can say without a doubt the pay and benefits at ABF would be better than anything I've seen in the past. Hauling fuel, average... I'm not pro or anti union, but hard to argue against the wages and benefits, and paying 50 something a month in union dues wouldn't bother me in the least, pending I can continue to receive the benefits and pay, along with a decent pension when I go to retire. Still undecided at this point, and I hope to hear from ABF soon with either approval or not so I can truly make my decision. I would be easier if it were April, I'll say that. Also, ABF is 7 miles closer for me than the fuel job would be, so that is a small factor as well. Ok, continue the arguing. Game on.
 
Dieselgeek said:
Regardless of the arguing, I can say without a doubt the pay and benefits at ABF would be better than anything I've seen in the past. Hauling fuel, average... I'm not pro or anti union, but hard to argue against the wages and benefits, and paying 50 something a month in union dues wouldn't bother me in the least, pending I can continue to receive the benefits and pay, along with a decent pension when I go to retire. Still undecided at this point, and I hope to hear from ABF soon with either approval or not so I can truly make my decision. I would be easier if it were April, I'll say that. Also, ABF is 7 miles closer for me than the fuel job would be, so that is a small factor as well. Ok, continue the arguing. Game on.
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I can't tell you exactly how long it takes ABF to finish their hiring process but it may well be April before you get your final stamp of approval and I am not joking. They will call you back several times with more things that they need you to provide or to ask you more questions and it will aggravate you. I have heard this from everyone that I have discussed the process with and by the time they get done they do lose their share of hires to other employers. When I got hired I had more time worked and was on the list before I got approved because the terminal needed a driver.

On the hours you could expect to work...A barn that size should have about 5 guys on call and could work 24 hrs a day. First on call will come in at midnight and 2 AM a lot to cover dock men on vacation, booking off and just when freight levels are high like Mondays and long weekends, when freight gets backed up. Next two on callers would come in later in AM (still early) but man #3 could start to see closer to noon when work is slow and #4 will probably see a lot of noonish starts. Bottom on call man will see a rare early call, his share of noon starts and a lot of PM calls. Maybe even some short work weeks. But terminal that size would probably never tell you that there is, "nothing today", so you can make the best out of your day off. You could expect to work your way up the call list for a few years but a terminal that size should see one or two retirements per year. If I was on deck to bid and all on calls is what was available I'd take 2nd or 3rd on call in that shop so I wouldn't have to come in at midnight.
 
This depends on manager and local union weather or not you are a vacation replacement or comp replacement .Check with steward and local union on what companies intentions are for you.If some one retires they may or may not replace you. I have worked for any ABF before many times. Talk to manger first and ask about his intentions for you.Good luck newbie.
 
Yup....Brother ABFer and I are intent on destroying this company.....we have this secret plan, you see........we're really communist/socialist/Marxist agents, the kind Stoney checks under his bed for every night before he goes to bed clutching his assault rifle........we've been "outed" Comrade Brother ABFer......better go to the "deep cover" mode and break out your Duck costume........
 
Brotherhood and solidarity aren't dead....contrary to some opinions. Some people get angry at the Union if it won't address their personal needs before the group's needs.
 
canaryinthemine said:
Yup....Brother ABFer and I are intent on destroying this company.....we have this secret plan, you see........we're really communist/socialist/Marxist agents, the kind Stoney checks under his bed for every night before he goes to bed clutching his assault rifle........we've been "outed" Comrade Brother ABFer......better go to the "deep cover" mode and break out your Duck costume........
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No, you think your doing good, but you refuse the to help this company because of your own personal greed.

I don't even know I why I bother with you. Like in my other thread, you ignore links I posted, and completely make up **** and lie about me. What a POS you are.
I never said anything about communism.
And you still haven't rescinded that remark about me believing capitalism makes you wealthy. I never said of the sort.
And when I kick you ass in debate, which is always. You stoop to mocking and lame hyperbole.

Sorry pal. You can laugh. But you are a Marxist and Socialist.
What kind of vet wants to ignore the 2nd Amendment, and limit Americans rights to guns? You forget the oath you took? Uh? Or does it even matter to you?

You put your own self-interest above anything else. Talk about selfish. And you have the nerve to call others greedy?

Hell you care more about that silly Teamster Constitution then the US Constitution. How pathetic is that?
 
canaryinthemine said:
Brotherhood and solidarity aren't dead....contrary to some opinions. Some people get angry at the Union if it won't address their personal needs before the group's needs.
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Brotherhood is dead as a door nail.

I know and work with guys that talk just like you. Brotherhood this, solidarity that! But when given the opportunity, will stab you right in the back again for their own personal gain.

You believe in unicorns too?
 
canaryinthemine said:
Yup....Brother ABFer and I are intent on destroying this company.....we have this secret plan, you see........we're really communist/socialist/Marxist agents, the kind Stoney checks under his bed for every night before he goes to bed clutching his assault rifle........we've been "outed" Comrade Brother ABFer......better go to the "deep cover" mode and break out your Duck costume........
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Princess ABFer is already sporting her tutu and a tiara, I think I'm safely disguised.
 
ABFer said:
Princess ABFer is already sporting her tutu and a tiara, I think I'm safely disguised.[/

Tutu & Duck Costume. I don't care who you are, that's funny. If I can only laugh when I place my check mark in the ? Box, yall will have exceeded my wildest expectations. Where’s the comedy channel when you need it. Now all ya need is Bedspread to post on this board. Wouldn't that be a hoot.
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ABFer said:
It is not an easy decision for you no doubt and it is a crap shoot and you won't know whether you have done the right thing for a while, maybe a long while. It could be two years or more until you say, "I'm glad I did not take that job". Best you can do is go with what you think is best and don't look back.

If you pay close attention you'll find that no participants on this board will waste their time with Stoney.
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Do yourself A favor guy and listen to ABFer and Canary,they know what they're talking about! Unlike some stone headed people around here!
 
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