Gee reading this thread topic I can see the LTL worker force is really going down hill these days.
Back in the day that is in the 60's when I first became a city driver in the LTL game.
Thats right we old timers called working the dock, delivering,and picking up LTL freight,'The Freight Game.
Of course back in the day I was also a dues paying member in good standing with the I.B.T.
Heres how the game is played if any of you young pup's are interested.
The company has set rules on how they want their employees to serve there needs.
The union on the other hand also has their rules to protect their dues payers.
So what we did was met in the middle,we went along with our companies to the point that our immediate authority figures were trying to bend an article in our contract to serve their purpose.
At that point we would just grieve it first, than begin to drag our feet with all of our work chores.
You know that if everyone sticks together the freight game can not only be challenging,but enjoyable as well.
We paid dues which gave us outside representation from our union,which in turn kept our company authorities on our good sides.
Unless of course they wanted our local union rep.'s leaning on them,as well as levying financial fines to stop their nonsense,and get back on course to follow all the articles in our contract both the companies,and the union agreed on at the time of its signing.
The bottom line is you young ones just need to learn how to play the game.
Any terminals workers can make their TM look good,or bad,depending if the said TM wants the workers to be happy with him and do their best work.
Or be upset with him,and slow down just getting by with the least they can, slowing production to a minimum.
Oh my yes it does surprise me to see so many of you new Teamsters whining about so much on this message board,when it comes down to that fact you are dues payers,and have representation.
You and your co-workers can make your TM look good, or bad in the companies eyes.
My my what is this world coming to when so many are unhappy with their working conditions, and they are dues paying Teamsters to boot?
Go figure?
It just bogles my mind?