Recent Negotiations

[Twinscrew]

The Facts

To add a comment on that, I don't see how that excess can go in their fund..haha, cause it never comes out to begin with.....They say you are getting an: 11% to 12.5% increase so lets use that and the max benefits we can do...(to get your "comparable plan")
11% Increase
6% matched for pension= 12% pension
2% Max medical

That leaves you with a 3% increase in wages....dont forget...with crappy medical and 401K

How long is this 3% increase for...it doesn't say so I am going to (from being screwed by people in the past) assume its for the life of the contract. Lets also assume this contract would be for 3 years. So for three years you would only have a pay increase of 3%? Lets look at some things that have happened in the last couple years:

State minimum wage increases:
2005 2.6% @ 7.35
2006 3.8% @ 7.63
2007 3.9% @ 7.93
Average Increase
2005-2007 was 3.4% PER YEAR

So your saying that WE only get a 1% increase in pay PER YEAR? :

Do you wonder why it seems that in the last couple years you have been keeping less and less of your paycheck?? Well look what would have happened IF we kept up with the minimum wage increases since the last contract (keep in mind these percentages are figured by the actual increases in price for basic services in the state of Washington) All these numbers are from the L&I websites except for the OHFL happy land estimate below.

This is an estimated BASE HOURLY RATE USED FOR 2004
BASE RATE 20.41/HR
2005 2.6% @ 20.94
2006 3.8% @ 21.74
2007 3.9% @ 22.59

Boy wouldn't that have been nice? Nice increases, fair, kept up with the price of basic Washington services... Come on.. the price of oil alone per barrel in that same time frame has increased 168% thats not even what we see at the pump, don't think about affording a new home, we have to keep up (oh wait thats right now days you can get that nice interest only loan). Now some may say that we cant compair our wage increases to the percentages of minimum wage...but isn't it fair? We are in a skilled trade, not working at McDonald's, you cant say that I was worth more to your company based on percentages in 2004 than I am now, can you? So really, I believe we have a lot of catching up to do in the wage department cause were already behind, but now they want to do us in for the next contract duration too? This just hasn't been adding up to me, now that ive been doing a little research I realize why I've had less and less money over the years and its making me even more bitter. Check it out for yourselves, its scary. We are going to be heading for tough times unless we demand better. ED AND DAVE: you have any comments? Explanations? PLEASE feel free to post here, we know your looking.

Its simple people and wrench you are dead on point but heres how we tell the true story . Why dose management want to control your health and welfare? They do it because they increase their operating capitol and they do that on the backs of the employee.What dose that mean it means the company gets more profit margin and the employee has less security. Run the numbers the company plan is worth half over a lifetime than the Union plan. The company plan is a out of pocket cost to the employee that can go up at any time.The company plan is one that can change on a month to month or even a day to day basis.How can I say this its because the company will never agree to language that stops them from being able to alter the coverage as they see fit.Putting your health and retirement into the hands of the company is a fools game and you will always loose. I have been refereed to rule one and two before, and I say rule one is take care of your family first! Rule two is revert to rule one if rule two ever comes forth, thats for you Sm--- Sta--. If you ever wanted to get less and pay more just go into a company health and welfare program and if you want to work forever just get yourself a company pension plan like enron what a joke.

 

[905]

I believe in this company and I believe in the Vander Pols. I have faith that all will come out for the best in the end. I believe this is a good strong company with alot of intergity. You sir believe what ever you wish. I don't have to prove anything...I beleive this company stands on its own merits 90 years and counting.

What a Rube. Your Leaders have never been through a strike before Truckenjoe. You're going to see your market share vanish in a matter of days. One thing that P&D drivers do very well is BS with customers. Before this comes to a end you will be surprised just how well informed your customers were on the issues of what this employer did to their employees. You will also find that this area (Seattle Tacoma), and for the most part, this State, has historically and traditionally supported labor. The freight that will be lost will certainly go somewhere and will be hauled by some other outfit. The union people being screwed here will have jobs within a week after this Company has to shut down. Will the VanderPols? Or for that matter, will you?

 

[Nero]

What a Rube. Your Leaders have never been through a strike before Truckenjoe. You're going to see your market share vanish in a matter of days. One thing that P&D drivers do very well is BS with customers. Before this comes to a end you will be surprised just how well informed your customers were on the issues of what this employer did to their employees. You will also find that this area (Seattle Tacoma), and for the most part, this State, has historically and traditionally supported labor. The freight that will be lost will certainly go somewhere and will be hauled by some other outfit. The union people being screwed here will have jobs within a week after this Company has to shut down. Will the VanderPols? Or for that matter, will you?

HA! Good point. Neither will mgt! Every freight company knows what's going on, even Peninsula is on non-speaking terms with OHFL. I'm sure assault and a strike are good stripes on Billdo's resumé.
It's incredible how quiet things are with respect to the strike at OHFL Auburn. Instead of OHFL mgt. taking the initiative and responsibly speaking with drivers and dock workers, utter silence because of "legalities". What a joke.

 

[THEWRENCH]

HA! Good point. Neither will mgt! Every freight company knows what's going on, even Peninsula is on non-speaking terms with OHFL. I'm sure assault and a strike are good stripes on Billdo's resumé.
It's incredible how quiet things are with respect to the strike at OHFL Auburn. Instead of OHFL mgt. taking the initiative and responsibly speaking with drivers and dock workers, utter silence because of "legalities". What a joke.

Now there is nothing set in stone yet as to an upcoming strike, the VP's still have the opportunity to swallow their pride-and greed..and present the union with a decent proposal on the 5th and 6th that the memebership might agree to. Naaaa, what was i thinking. Think theyve already burned their bridges with most union employees at oak harbor. :poster_oops:

 

[easymoney97]

why cant some of you do a protest picket say an hour before each shift,if the pilot's of big airline's can do it why not you.it's not like your going on strike and breaking contract rule's,it's more of a informational protest to let the public and JOKE HARBOR your tired of this crap that their doing...........just an idea from a former co-worker

 

[sugardick]

Smoke and Mirrors

I have a huge problem with a couple of billionaires telling me that my lousy 2 or 3 grand come retirement is too much money.
A major illness in your family is a life changing thing. Bottom line is you'll lose your house, etc. If you can't write checks to cover the necessary bills. If youre a Vander Pol you can roll like that. No biggie. For the rest of us it's a huge problem. Let's face it it's not old age that generally kills us. It's cancer, stroke, etc.... ad infinitum. Compare both plans and tell me how they stack up.
My home is what i hope to one day pass on to my kids. Under the Vander pol plan i ll have to forego that beause i'll be using that equity to pay off medical bills. You see we're all supposed to steal from our kids so that they may give to theirs. Yeah, right. those kids blow more at a casino in one sitting than I can afford to spend on 3 Christmas's. poor little dears, they are.
I just found this site. I love it. I see it as a great tool to expose the hypocricies at Ohfl.
Aah, Bill Holt. Is he incompetent? Duh. Is he a people person? nope. Is he a snake? Yes. The issue I have isn't with the snake. It's with the people who hired and continue to employ him. Let's face it- Bill swallows. Bill has to. This is Bills primary skill and contribution to our team. The day he doesnt swallow is the day he's out of a job. Same with any of our mangaement. I couldnt imagine he'd still have a job if his thought process weren't totally in line with what the
vp's want. What else am I supposed to think?The fact that even his non teamster co workers can't stand him is irrelevant. It's not part of their game plan.
Worried? Hell no. we're the ones with the marketable skills. Theyre all out of work when we go.. I just got off of craigslist. We'll be working. It would seem theyre largely overpaid and lucky to employed.
It's only a ridiculous offer if we accept it. I'll be damned if i'm going to let anyone decide what i will and i wont work for. No one will have the power to EVER tell me my family has to "settle". My advice to the vp's is to hurry up and sell it if youre not ready to pay the industry norm. Who the hell do they think they are? The Proud carrier we once were is simply a memory. In my eyes Rome has already burned.

In absolute solidarity,

sugardick

 

[Squirt]

All of you guys and gals are so hell bent on making the VanderPols pay that you guys are not looking at the bigger picture. "the wrench" was absolutly right. Look at what they are offering, BUT look at it with an OPEN mind. Can you guys do that?? I think not... You are all so bitter that it will be impossible for you all to like what ever happens.

Do I want the benifits to be like they were 8 years ago... Yes. But at what price? I would like gas to be the same price now as it was back then. But that will never happen either. You guys and gals keep throwing out these figures. Like the minimum wage increase. That is comparing apples to oranges. The reason for the people making minimum wages getting that kind of increase is because they needed it to go with the cost of living increase of day to day products. We are talking about people that make less then $8 dollars an hour. We make over $20.

Here is a fact for you... Do you know that most of the drivers, both line and local and some of the dock workers make more money then middle management. Did you know that the salary employees only recieve a 2 to 3 percent raise per year and not all front line supervisors are on the profit share program... Not that I am sticking up for them, but some of the supervisors deserve more. They have to put up with a lot of crap everyday.

Also... If you think that the shipping people that you talk to while you are picking up freight has anything to do with the shipping decisions... Boy you are severly wrong. Those decisionss are made at corporate levels or buy the big guys sitting at the front of the building. The only thing that they care about if thier bottom line... PERIOD!!! If they can still get an OHFL driver to pick up the freight and get it delivered in a resonable time. Guess what. They are going to continue to us OHFL, despite what your buddy in the back says.

So do what you think is right, but try to look at this whole thing with an open mind. That is all that anybody could ask for and only then can you make a well informed decision. Because if you go into this without comparing apple to apples. Then you were not well informed and could be making a very bad decision.

 

[THEWRENCH]

Do I want the benifits to be like they were 8 years ago... Yes. But at what price? I would like gas to be the same price now as it was back then. But that will never happen either. You guys and gals keep throwing out these figures. Like the minimum wage increase. That is comparing apples to oranges. The reason for the people making minimum wages getting that kind of increase is because they needed it to go with the cost of living increase of day to day products. We are talking about people that make less then $8 dollars an hour. We make over $20.

and 3 years ago we were talking about people who made 6 when we made 19. Whats the point? My point was that we have been going backwards for a while, look at the trend, pretty soon the wages for unskilled labor will shake hands with our wage. And maybe you are right about management not making much, i dont know, but the VP's do to them what they'd like to do to us...your getting this and your gonna like it. If they want a higher salary then they need to crawl out from under their leaders' desks and ask some questions. Not our problem.

 

[truckchick1]

You say we should wait to see exactly what they are offerng to decide. Well how long are we supposed to wait. The contract expired over a month ago. The VP's knew when the contract was up so why weren't negotiations taken care of 3 months ago so we all could be working knowing what we are working for. You know why. They didn't want the threat of a strike during the busy summer months. Much better to have people worried about being out of work right before Christmas.

 

[THEWRENCH]

You say we should wait to see exactly what they are offerng to decide. Well how long are we supposed to wait. The contract expired over a month ago. The VP's knew when the contract was up so why weren't negotiations taken care of 3 months ago so we all could be working knowing what we are working for. You know why. They didn't want the threat of a strike during the busy summer months. Much better to have people worried about being out of work right before Christmas.

It almost makes sense......doesn't it. That must be why its not done that way. We'll just do it "the oak harbor way." Woo hoo, one more day and us mushrooms should know what happened in the negotiations today. :ShakeHandsNah:

 

[sugardick]

corporate thieves.

In light of what's going on I suspect most of us can read the writing on the wall. Ohfl is no longer the place to come if you're looking for a place to retire. At best we're simply a stepping stone toward greater things. Dont hear the word "family" anymore. Promoting families would mean providing a benefit package consistant with their needs. Theyre looking to take rather than give.
The wrench could be exactly right. Could be a tactic. If it is I have no respect for it. Would be like me calling dispatch complaining about a hazmat spill that never happened. Only to call back in 30 mins and filling them in on my joke. Never mind the fact that chemtrec is on the way and every fire crew in the area is scrambling. Thats just not cool.
So if it is a tactic- I say we hold a major grudge. We could get ty too, ya know.
I dont believe they realize how pissed everyone is. suspect middle management could be downplaying it. Any "tactic" is bound to backfire on them. They might own the trucks but WE are in the drivers seat. Those two own the buildings But, WE are the company. It doesnt matter what theyre willing to pay. It matters what WE are willing to work for. This isnt a poker game. These are our lives. These are our families lives.
Anyone who thinks theyre going to steal from my family is in for a rude awakening.
In Solidarity,
Sugardick

 

[sugardick]

Wrench is right again. Squirt is trying to confuse by perverting the facts. You lost that round squirt. any more zingers?
sugardick

 

[905]

All of you guys and gals are so hell bent on making the VanderPols pay that you guys are not looking at the bigger picture. "the wrench" was absolutly right. Look at what they are offering, BUT look at it with an OPEN mind. Can you guys do that?? I think not... You are all so bitter that it will be impossible for you all to like what ever happens.

Do I want the benifits to be like they were 8 years ago... Yes. But at what price? I would like gas to be the same price now as it was back then. But that will never happen either. You guys and gals keep throwing out these figures. Like the minimum wage increase. That is comparing apples to oranges. The reason for the people making minimum wages getting that kind of increase is because they needed it to go with the cost of living increase of day to day products. We are talking about people that make less then $8 dollars an hour. We make over $20.

Here is a fact for you... Do you know that most of the drivers, both line and local and some of the dock workers make more money then middle management. Did you know that the salary employees only recieve a 2 to 3 percent raise per year and not all front line supervisors are on the profit share program... Not that I am sticking up for them, but some of the supervisors deserve more. They have to put up with a lot of crap everyday.

Also... If you think that the shipping people that you talk to while you are picking up freight has anything to do with the shipping decisions... Boy you are severly wrong. Those decisionss are made at corporate levels or buy the big guys sitting at the front of the building. The only thing that they care about if thier bottom line... PERIOD!!! If they can still get an OHFL driver to pick up the freight and get it delivered in a resonable time. Guess what. They are going to continue to us OHFL, despite what your buddy in the back says.

So do what you think is right, but try to look at this whole thing with an open mind. That is all that anybody could ask for and only then can you make a well informed decision. Because if you go into this without comparing apple to apples. Then you were not well informed and could be making a very bad decision.

 

[905]

All of you guys and gals are so hell bent on making the VanderPols pay that you guys are not looking at the bigger picture. "the wrench" was absolutly right. Look at what they are offering, BUT look at it with an OPEN mind. Can you guys do that?? I think not... You are all so bitter that it will be impossible for you all to like what ever happens.

Do I want the benifits to be like they were 8 years ago... Yes. But at what price? I would like gas to be the same price now as it was back then. But that will never happen either. You guys and gals keep throwing out these figures. Like the minimum wage increase. That is comparing apples to oranges. The reason for the people making minimum wages getting that kind of increase is because they needed it to go with the cost of living increase of day to day products. We are talking about people that make less then $8 dollars an hour. We make over $20.

Here is a fact for you... Do you know that most of the drivers, both line and local and some of the dock workers make more money then middle management. Did you know that the salary employees only recieve a 2 to 3 percent raise per year and not all front line supervisors are on the profit share program... Not that I am sticking up for them, but some of the supervisors deserve more. They have to put up with a lot of crap everyday.

Also... If you think that the shipping people that you talk to while you are picking up freight has anything to do with the shipping decisions... Boy you are severly wrong. Those decisionss are made at corporate levels or buy the big guys sitting at the front of the building. The only thing that they care about if thier bottom line... PERIOD!!! If they can still get an OHFL driver to pick up the freight and get it delivered in a resonable time. Guess what. They are going to continue to us OHFL, despite what your buddy in the back says.

So do what you think is right, but try to look at this whole thing with an open mind. That is all that anybody could ask for and only then can you make a well informed decision. Because if you go into this without comparing apple to apples. Then you were not well informed and could be making a very bad decision.

I can always spot someone who hasn't been in this business very long. Let's take the first paragraph. Bitter? I think any reasonable person would be bitter if someone tried to take their livelyhood away. A livelyhood that many people in this Company's history have bargained for over many years. $20.00 an hour? These people are worth every penny of that and more. Who do you think built this Company and continues providing the revenue that keeps it operating. Can you provide any statistics on revenue generation that has come from front line supervision? I have seen many of these people come and go in the years I've been in this business and you know something? We're still here and they're not. A good FOM can get a decent dock crew to do what's required by treating the people with respect and dignity, something these Dutch seem to be lacking. In my experience (30 and counting) frontline dock supervisors are a redundant and unneccessary expense. In our market (overnight regional) the shipping decisions are indeed generally made by our local customers. National LTL (Master Freight etc.) would certainly fall under national sales but not us. I'm sure there are a few exceptions but generally they're made locally. If the VanderPols do decide to **** this work out in the event of a labor dispute I sure hope they know what they're doing because I assure you that we (Teamsters) certainly know what we're doing and it won't just involve the employees of Oak Harbor. There will be a lot of support from many people outside of your Company.

 

[sugardick]

politics

I don't think any of us expected to become billionaires by driving truck. At the same time I don't feel any of us saw this type of corporate betrayal coming, either. I mean- that's really what it is. The guys I just feel terrible for are the guys who've devoted 25 years with this company and are too old to get serious consideration from another ltl carrier. This is our future, guys. a big " **** you very much" from the new regime.
Anyone who makes Henry wear a visitors tag into the company he started is not to be trusted.
Im a true believer that paranoia is "learned" behavior. Sure, it's easier to be cynical than introspect and find faults with ourselves. When you choose to hire someomeone with lousy people skills to represent your "vision", (a.k.a. Bill Holt), We can onlly assume this persons itinerary is exactly in line with theirs. How could we not?
Certainly this must be the case. Fine. The door swings both ways.
What I do know is that tough guys dont generally make threats. If youre in a card game and you know you truly have the winning hand you are in no way aided by trying to convince your opponent how good your cards are. Actually, the reverse is true.
Im also a firm believer that threats stem from a primary human emotion called fear.
Would be nice to work at a company that didnt have so damned many politics. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching Jerry Springer.
In Solidarity,

Sugardick

 

[easymoney97]

To the "JERRY SPRINGER" company of LTL unless your show bring's better language and benifit's to the table i believe your show is in jepody of being cancelled.To the owner's of the JERRY SPRINGER show dont hire a paint salesmen to run a LTL barn they will alway's paint it a different color and try to tell you one color fit's all........it's not working.:smilie_132:

 

[Nero]

All of you guys and gals are so hell bent on making the VanderPols pay that you guys are not looking at the bigger picture. "the wrench" was absolutly right. Look at what they are offering, BUT look at it with an OPEN mind. Can you guys do that?? I think not... You are all so bitter that it will be impossible for you all to like what ever happens.

Do I want the benifits to be like they were 8 years ago... Yes. But at what price? I would like gas to be the same price now as it was back then. But that will never happen either. You guys and gals keep throwing out these figures. Like the minimum wage increase. That is comparing apples to oranges. The reason for the people making minimum wages getting that kind of increase is because they needed it to go with the cost of living increase of day to day products. We are talking about people that make less then $8 dollars an hour. We make over $20.

Here is a fact for you... Do you know that most of the drivers, both line and local and some of the dock workers make more money then middle management. Did you know that the salary employees only recieve a 2 to 3 percent raise per year and not all front line supervisors are on the profit share program... Not that I am sticking up for them, but some of the supervisors deserve more. They have to put up with a lot of crap everyday.

Also... If you think that the shipping people that you talk to while you are picking up freight has anything to do with the shipping decisions... Boy you are severly wrong. Those decisionss are made at corporate levels or buy the big guys sitting at the front of the building. The only thing that they care about if thier bottom line... PERIOD!!! If they can still get an OHFL driver to pick up the freight and get it delivered in a resonable time. Guess what. They are going to continue to us OHFL, despite what your buddy in the back says.

So do what you think is right, but try to look at this whole thing with an open mind. That is all that anybody could ask for and only then can you make a well informed decision. Because if you go into this without comparing apple to apples. Then you were not well informed and could be making a very bad decision.

Squirt, you rationale is all screwed up. Thank you for the "facts". Mgmt should get what they get. It's not like they're trained or anything; just take a look at them, they're all buddies. You think they pick the most qualified? If you do, you're thinking with your @$$. Jimmy just tries to talk to all the line drivers like they like him; I inform the line drivers that they're speaking with a sk@b, and they say, "He talks to me, he thinks we're friends"! It's an essential dichotomy, you need to realize that; you're on this side, so when all hell breaks loose, uninformed, ignorant, brown nosers like you will be disposed of. So stop being hypocritical in your judgments and start thinking straight, 'tard.
In Solidarity indeed.

 

[easymoney97]

it's time to step away from the table and pick up the sign's,why waste time when you know what the final outcome is going to be.oak harbor in the end alway's get's what they want whether you know it or not.they will drag this out until after x-mas and when the freight slow's down and they have made their money for the year then they will let you know exactly what you will except,at least that is what they are banking on.it's time to put the ball back into your court and keep it there by taking a stance and bringing the barrow's and sign's out,otherwise your going to end up with another crappy contract and wondering where it went wrong.

 

[truckchick1]

another month, before we hear anything, should we get a jackpot going to see if they can string it out as long as the last one. Everyone pick a date and we will see who gets the closest. They just want to keep everyone in limbo. Isn't this doing wonders for the morale?

 

[Fthemwithasmile]

I will say that the Oct. 31 expiration of the Oak Harbor contract is not the best time for expiration. Have the business volumes been stable since October or is it like everyone else and slowing down quite a bit?? If it is slowing down, it might not be the best time to make a move on the company.