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FedEx Freight | Pocono

droppingaduece said:
Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't Canada health care publicly funded and paid for by the tax payers. Basically socialized medicine, so you don't want the employer to supply health insurance, you would rather your neighbors supply health insurance for you. I know you are an owner operator and pay for everything out of your pocket, but isn't this basically how it works up north?
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I know years ago everyone was getting mail order prescriptions from Canada because it so much cheaper then ours....
 
EX396 said:
I don't know SwampRatt, I think the "pro" crowd has been fed small doses for a long time. Whether while on their P&D route running into other drivers at the steak n' shake, or at their P&D stops hearing "come on in, the water's great"....or the OTR driver at Loves sharing stories.

When the pendulum swings to the...lets call it the left, the group is receiving their medicine from peers in dosages and environments where it is well-received. When the pendulum swings to the "right" ;) they are getting the information in large doses from an adversary.

A bit more forcefully doesn't mean effective.
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Man, I can't speak for everyone. In my case, rarely (almost never) have Union guys approached me, personally. Recently, they have offered their support, wishing us luck in the effort, but that's been it.

In the past, on the rare occasion that it was mentioned, they'd say something like "when are yall going to get the union in over there?" Again, in the past, my reply was always "Man, we really don't need it. We have O/T after 8, good insurance, etc. Almost everything teamsters have.". Never went beyond that.

Only after the steady decline in our relative compensation, combined with excessively higher expectations (with little regard for it's impact on safety), and when I learned that this was not only at my center, but at many others, only then, did I look seriously at the Teamsters. I then did research, asked questions, verified answers and determined, that the only plausible solution to the decline, was representation. I also found that many of the things I thought I knew, were either half truths, or just plain false. To me, the potential gains offset any of the minimal downside.

That pendulum swing from the company, is tough to combat. They do have the captive audience advantage. Still, they have to follow through with the promised corrections.
 
droppingaduece said:
Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't Canada health care publicly funded and paid for by the tax payers. Basically socialized medicine, so you don't want the employer to supply health insurance, you would rather your neighbors supply health insurance for you. I know you are an owner operator and pay for everything out of your pocket, but isn't this basically how it works up north?
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You are correct. My tax dollars pay into the public health care system. Which they charge more for and give less of every election cycle. It's governed at the provincial level, not the federal level.

I can go get a diagnosis for free. But if I need medication, special treatment, a physical examination, or...pretty much anything related to maintaining my health, it comes directly out of my pocket. People here wait for years to see specialists and get surgeries.

I heard a story of a woman who was told she would die in 6 months without a surgery it would take 2 years to get. Her husband drove her to Buffalo and they paid out of pocket to get the surgery done there.
 
FXFC1620 said:
You are correct. My tax dollars pay into the public health care system. Which they charge more for and give less of every election cycle. It's governed at the provincial level, not the federal level.

I can go get a diagnosis for free. But if I need medication, special treatment, a physical examination, or...pretty much anything related to maintaining my health, it comes directly out of my pocket. People here wait for years to see specialists and get surgeries.

I heard a story of a woman who was told she would die in 6 months without a surgery it would take 2 years to get. Her husband drove her to Buffalo and they paid out of pocket to get the surgery done there.
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Won't be to long before that won't be an option, as we are headed to socialized medicine just as fast as the politicians in this country can get us there. However, before the government got involved, companies did offer health care, and one of the reasons was because unions got it included in contracts for their members, then non-union companies had to step up to keep quality employees. I don't mind paying for a portion of health care but when you start paying more for less every year and then all choices are completely taken from you, it makes a difference. And yes I do not have a choice in my coverage at this time, even though FedEx is self-insured they do pay an administrator to take care of the plan, and since I don't live in a major city the only coverage I can get is Out of Area, which is different from out of network. I have to pay the highest cost because we aren't allowed to buy down as they call it.
 
droppingaduece said:
Won't be to long before that won't be an option, as we are headed to socialized medicine just as fast as the politicians in this country can get us there. However, before the government got involved, companies did offer health care, and one of the reasons was because unions got it included in contracts for their members, then non-union companies had to step up to keep quality employees. I don't mind paying for a portion of health care but when you start paying more for less every year and then all choices are completely taken from you, it makes a difference. And yes I do not have a choice in my coverage at this time, even though FedEx is self-insured they do pay an administrator to take care of the plan, and since I don't live in a major city the only coverage I can get is Out of Area, which is different from out of network. I have to pay the highest cost because we aren't allowed to buy down as they call it.
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I agree completely with everything you just said. The unions stand as a threat, a reminder to companies to do better by their employees if they don't want to deal with it. Not everyone can be a union worker, but likewise we would certainly be worse off without them.

And the ACA has even impacted Canadians, who now need ACA-approved travel insurance to be seen by a doctor in the US. It's already not an option to get help stateside if you have money. It's a terrible, terrible system and I have heard from many Americans, many of them friends, who have been hurt by it. And it won't get better, I can assure you of that.
 
The Point said:
So the whole world is racing to the bottom to be the best underpaid workers? Then I sure hope we come in last place. I for one don't want to breath that air you are breathing. If loosing 13% of our benefits in a quarter is doing well then we have bigger problems brewing.
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It's interesting to me that the impetus behind the union drive was the "scorecard" and people basically being job scared. This needed to go, I agree. Now that the company did the right thing the new reasons being touted are money, insurance, and pension. There wouldn't have been a union drive for those reasons, it was the scorecard period. All of the pulled elections and no votes reflect this. There is simply not enough support for unionization. Your side should realize this and give it up.
 
I never had a problem with the scorecard or being job scared but thanks for implying I did. I watched a driver hang in the balance when the scorecard was about to be removed. He kept his job because the scorecard left when it did. Had his incident occurred a week or so earlier then he would have been gone due to the scorecard. People want different things from the union but it is an inclusive package. I am satisfied with my wages for the job I do. Where I differ is health care and pension. I will leave this company some day and the young guns should have a better place to work. I guess you can fault the pro guys with trying to leave a better place to work for the next generation of drivers. Sorry we are not going to take our ball and go home just because you say we should give up. Let's give those pulled elections 6 months to see where the company improves. If the company can follow through then everything will go away. The sun will shine, birds will sing and we all can have a good laugh at our company cookout.
 
Worth noting: After having a gradual, and continuing decline, in various areas of employment... We all know the issues. You start to look around. The more you look, the more you realize just how much we have declined compared to the competition. We used to be the top paid nonunion LTL. Insurance, second to none. etc etc... After looking, we realize just how far the slide has been.

It's your fault FXFE, that we started to look. Don't blame us for what we found. :smilie93c peelout:
 
The Point said:
I never had a problem with the scorecard or being job scared but thanks for implying I did. I watched a driver hang in the balance when the scorecard was about to be removed. He kept his job because the scorecard left when it did. Had his incident occurred a week or so earlier then he would have been gone due to the scorecard. People want different things from the union but it is an inclusive package. I am satisfied with my wages for the job I do. Where I differ is health care and pension. I will leave this company some day and the young guns should have a better place to work. I guess you can fault the pro guys with trying to leave a better place to work for the next generation of drivers. Sorry we are not going to take our ball and go home just because you say we should give up. Let's give those pulled elections 6 months to see where the company improves. If the company can follow through then everything will go away. The sun will shine, birds will sing and we all can have a good laugh at our company cookout.
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Yet every time we hear one of these stories, it turns out that the driver in question had other incidents/accidents on their record that would've disqualified them even under the old system. There's 3 sides to every story, you can't listen to just the drivers.

I'm sure you "really" care about the younger drivers....how many times have you offered to take days off during the winter months so that some of those younger drivers could work and receive a check for the week? I'm guessing none!
Although your excuses sound warm and fuzzy, the reality is it's all about you, you, you!

If I recall at the last cookout, the pro-union pushers either walked by the food with their noses in the air or they grabbed some food as they walked out the gate....they didn't stand around for a good laugh then, why would we expect anything different 6 moths from now?
 
Redracer3136 said:
But you are to blame....if you weren't happy, most of us would have preferred you found other employment instead of the union....no offense.
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I'm calling bs flag on this. Must have been many that weren't happy. Respect the vote, "nuff said happy holiday's
 
Redracer3136 said:
8 no's, 3 yes's...many more that weren't happy....I do respect the vote, just don't agree with it
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Ok I agree with your figures now,but must have more that that to start the movement,and thank for the respect and I will respect your right to disagree,
 
Redracer3136 said:
But you are to blame....if you weren't happy, most of us would have preferred you found other employment instead of the union....no offense.
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At every center that filed, MOST WERE unhappy enough to sign to petition. The company was successful at convincing "most" that correction would come without representation. This is part of an ongoing negotiating process.

My interpretation: So far, many have said to the company, "listen to us, now!". The company responded with, "we hear you, please give us some time". 3 centers said, "You've had enough time!", the rest said "OK, we'll give you a chance."

I don't claim to speak for most. How is it that you feel like you can?
 
Purple Hammer said:
It's interesting to me that the impetus behind the union drive was the "scorecard" and people basically being job scared. This needed to go, I agree. Now that the company did the right thing the new reasons being touted are money, insurance, and pension. There wouldn't have been a union drive for those reasons, it was the scorecard period. All of the pulled elections and no votes reflect this. There is simply not enough support for unionization. Your side should realize this and give it up.
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So now your not just speaking for the 222 drivers at your barn your speaking for everybody?? I shall bow down to the new speaker of the drivers across the country.
 
Redracer3136 said:
Yet every time we hear one of these stories, it turns out that the driver in question had other incidents/accidents on their record that would've disqualified them even under the old system. There's 3 sides to every story, you can't listen to just the drivers.

I'm sure you "really" care about the younger drivers....how many times have you offered to take days off during the winter months so that some of those younger drivers could work and receive a check for the week? I'm guessing none!
Although your excuses sound warm and fuzzy, the reality is it's all about you, you, you!

If I recall at the last cookout, the pro-union pushers either walked by the food with their noses in the air or they grabbed some food as they walked out the gate....they didn't stand around for a good laugh then, why would we expect anything different 6 moths from now?
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Yes the driver did have other incidents prior to this but they were in his personal vehicle. Of course you knew this fact but failed to mention it. By the way who is this 3rd story from?
So again you are being false here as you do not know me or operate at my center. I in fact do care about the younger drivers and I guess you just care about yourself. I live under the belief that where you go in life you should try to leave it in better shape then when you found it. See some trash where you are hiking, pick it up etc.. Ah the volunteer the day off angle. I offer to stay home every time because I am never sick or take time off. You see if you bothered to look at my check you would find that I have over 200 hours available right now with just under 5 more weeks to accrue over the next year.
I am sorry the pro union guys didn't spend any time with you at your cookout but at ours we all had a great time. Guess our place gets along better then yours. We all laughed, ate and even chatted with the dreaded management while your terminal was divided. No wonder the union won, house divided. So how is it all about me, me, me?
 
The Point said:
Yes the driver did have other incidents prior to this but they were in his personal vehicle. Of course you knew this fact but failed to mention it. By the way who is this 3rd story from?
So again you are being false here as you do not know me or operate at my center. I in fact do care about the younger drivers and I guess you just care about yourself. I live under the belief that where you go in life you should try to leave it in better shape then when you found it. See some trash where you are hiking, pick it up etc.. Ah the volunteer the day off angle. I offer to stay home every time because I am never sick or take time off. You see if you bothered to look at my check you would find that I have over 200 hours available right now with just under 5 more weeks to accrue over the next year.
I am sorry the pro union guys didn't spend any time with you at your cookout but at ours we all had a great time. Guess our place gets along better then yours. We all laughed, ate and even chatted with the dreaded management while your terminal was divided. No wonder the union won, house divided. So how is it all about me, me, me?
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Not sure which driver you're referring to so how could I possibly know what they had previously on their record, was just pointing out that almost all of the time they have prior incidents/accidents on their records, they're usually not squeaky clean as you implied.
There's 3 sides to EVERY story...in this case, you have the driver's side, the company's side, and somewhere in the middle lies the truth!

How could I possibly look at your check when I don't know you or what center your domiciled? I usually average 4 day work weeks from Jan-Mar in order to let other guys work...and I take unpaid days off. I to am carrying over 100 hrs of vac, plus my personal time, into next year plus what I'll accrue in 2015. Most of the pro-union guys at my center can't afford to take days off...period...much less let someone else work.

For the most part we all get along but our house is divided...which was how the union won...for now...divide and conquer.
 
Redracer3136 said:
Not sure which driver you're referring to so how could I possibly know what they had previously on their record, was just pointing out that almost all of the time they have prior incidents/accidents on their records, they're usually not squeaky clean as you implied.
There's 3 sides to EVERY story...in this case, you have the driver's side, the company's side, and somewhere in the middle lies the truth!

How could I possibly look at your check when I don't know you or what center your domiciled? I usually average 4 day work weeks from Jan-Mar in order to let other guys work...and I take unpaid days off. I to am carrying over 100 hrs of vac, plus my personal time, into next year plus what I'll accrue in 2015. Most of the pro-union guys at my center can't afford to take days off...period...much less let someone else work.

For the most part we all get along but our house is divided...which was how the union won...for now...divide and conquer.
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Not sure where you think I implied that they are all squeaky clean like your record and mine are. This story only had 2 sides. Driver has customer load 4 totes single file down the middle of a pup and goes a mile down the road and flips that rear trailer. 4 sliding totes likely caused stress on pintle hook causing the top locking portion to fail. Now there is a flipped doll & pup with a hazmat spill in an intersection ramp to the interstate.

You seem to imply a lot towards me and others. That is what I was responding to. You don't know me so don't accuse me of not taking days off so those with less seniority can work.
 
The Point said:
Not sure where you think I implied that they are all squeaky clean like your record and mine are. This story only had 2 sides. Driver has customer load 4 totes single file down the middle of a pup and goes a mile down the road and flips that rear trailer. 4 sliding totes likely caused stress on pintle hook causing the top locking portion to fail. Now there is a flipped doll & pup with a hazmat spill in an intersection ramp to the interstate.

You seem to imply a lot towards me and others. That is what I was responding to. You don't know me so don't accuse me of not taking days off so those with less seniority can work.
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1) Why would any driver let a customer load four totes single file down the middle of a pup? The proper loading sequence should've been 1-2-1.
2) Why did the driver not require the customer to supply dunage to prevent the totes from sliding? DOT requires that ALL haz-mat MUST be secured.
Both are driver error, the bigger question is WHY are they STILL driving? These are common sense errors.

You see, here is that 3rd side starting to come out.....the truth!

You are correct, I don't know you but I call it like I see it....most can't or don't, they just talk about doing it. There's not many who actually do it so the chances of you falling into that category were slim....my bad.
 
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