Highly disagree with Southeastern needing a union. I've been with this company for a few years now and although i did like the prior leadership, the new leadership is really personable, they listen to us and I've even heard from a few other fellow drivers that they are starting to hold people accountable - in the right way. I've heard all the "selling" points from other companies that say they have culture and they really care about the people, but they don't always follow through. Well this company continues to get better and just hearing the stories of how the owners continue to look out for the best interest of the people is amazing. This company strives to make sure their people are well taken care of, and that's a HUGE reason why this company has NEVER (let me repeat that for you).....NEVER laid anyone off, never cut pay, never cut benefits. No company is perfect, but this company at least tries their very BEST to live up to their Christian based values because they know it's not just about the associate, but also their loved ones! This is a big reason they continue to find new ways to ensure safety is a top priority, and i appreciate that - as my wife and kids expect me to come home every day and provide for them.
So please have your facts in order before you start stating that Southeastern needs a union, because I continue to live with the company each day, and you sir or ma'am DO NOT speak for those here that know the true culture at Southeastern. You can walk right into the Manager's office right now and have a great conversation or express your concerns and they would listen to you and at least look into your concerns.
Sounds to me like you are one of those people who like to complain and not bring any solutions to the table to help make this great company better.....and doing that doesn't take much effort. Because i can tell you right now that if you even tried to bring a union to Southeastern, up to 80% or more will tell you to take your complaints somewhere else! The owners and senior leadership visit all service centers every year and they even conduct an annual survey that measures how happy their people are. Sounds like a company that wants to know what their people are thinking and how they feel - and not scared to find out.
I can debate this with you all day and have many friends at Southeastern that i know disagree with your lack of facts to support such a vague and false statements.
Matter of fact what are you paying for when you get unions? We have laws now that protect the people. Safe work environment? That's what OSHA is for! Discrimination? Laws protect the people from that too! Pay? Well a union can offer more pay, but doesn't mean you will keep all of your vacation time. Just because a union offers you benefits, they still have to "negotiate" terms. Negotiate doesn't mean they have the power to make changes you think they have. The employer doesn't have to agree to those terms and even if you get more pay, you might lose in other areas you didn't want to. So please enlighten me as to how the union has decreased in membership SIGNIFICANTLY over the years, but seem to be a good deal for the people. Seems to me like the people have left them because they started to remove the wool from over their eyes and realized that union dues could be better off in their pockets - rather than wasted on stuff they aren't really paying for!