Received my official letter in mail.

[Mister Freight]

We should have a strike vote now and show them we mean business.

If we strike now, you might as well go ahead and close the doors.... The shippers will not put up with their freight sitting because we can't negotiate on labor issues...

[waysho]

Would that be Preparation H with sand or glass particles? Either way it's gonna hurt!!!

[Mister Freight]

I've worked here for well over a year now and thats long enough to realize that we have it pretty good compared to most everyone else. I don't think alot of people understand what an otr job is like when they have been fortunate to work such a good job for so long. Now I'm not saying we should let the company crap all over us but what I am saying is give them a chance to come up with a fair contract offer before we start ripping them apart.

Very professional post! This is the way to go into this. Not with guns drawn... This goes back to the answer of how to correct the 14 billion underfunded pension, you can't just add more teamster jobs and expect the contributions to catch up..

[HillBilly Frog]

A strike vote doesn't mean we strike. It shows the company that we are willing to stand for what we believe in.

Seems like a show of unity works wonders some times but then again it does seems like Davidson and his cronies are the only ones united as they try to negotiate a contract with all their BS with a captive audience.

oops I forgot he said he wasn't doing that. Yeah right.

[ttman]

seems like Davidson and his cronies are the only ones united as they try to negotiate a contract with all their BS with a captive audience.

oops I forgot he said he wasn't doing that. Yeah right.

I haven't read anywhere, about how much davidson is giving back in HIS salary or pension or bonus or travel expense or per diem expense? Or any of the other vice presidents? Seems it is just drivers/dockworkers that need to understand the need to be more competitve?

[CFer]

If we strike now, you might as well go ahead and close the doors.... The shippers will not put up with their freight sitting because we can't negotiate on labor issues...

Thats what was said in 1994 also and the freight came back. If there were a strike(which I highly doubt) the shippers would be back as soon as the companies reopened knowing that there will be at least 5 years of labor peace ahead.

The only shippers that may not come back right away would be the ones that had freight delayed in the event of a strike and even they would come back after a while if the price and service are right.

Remember, time heels all wounds.

[suicyco]

From what I've seen and heard ABF already has more flexibility than what the other NMFA companies have, given more flexibility in this current economic environment would and will only lead to more people be laid-off so that others can maintain there bonuses.:ranting:

[imported_trubigtymer]

this "flexability" they speak of means a loss of road drivers jobs, plain and simple...

[imported_Double barrel]

I would like to see the multi-employer,define benefit funds were people say " Teamster Union,"Like wow I envy you people and your funds.Not like the company whats to throw it out like garbage. If we get that pride back in the Union people would come running to know that they have a secure future. It will be tough and hard decisions will have to be made.Your right a strike vote means we stand together.Accountablity to these funds has caused this stir and it can be a great wake up call and we can have stronger funds in the future if you are willing.I see their are those Teamsters that would like to see take company offer on a 401k.I say to them if you put in 10% in a 401k you lowered your wage by $2.50 and how much will you have if the company puts in 4%.Will it be enough to retire on say in 10,15years. The Teamster funds that pay a person $3000 a month for the retirement is worth close to $750,000 pay out a 5% interest. We might be the last group of funds the do not ask it members to contribute.Would I sacrifice to have the retirement of the Teamster's.Hell yes.Lets look at option two and have the best in America the top retirement funds that fully funded and there for every Teamster.

[mikey]

They have been testing the waters for about two years now. I have never seen so many physically exhausted drivers before in my life. If you dont give them you're last life blood, you are in for a warning letter for 'absenteeism' 'delay of freight' and all this other stuff. We need more time off. We need to keep diving hours at a max of ten, regardless of what the DOT allows. There is a whole plethora of things we need to keep an eye on, please don't forget. The pension and healthcare is just as important. We need to be vigilant in 2008. But for gosh sakes go to your local union meeting. Teamster solidarity in these upcoming months is vital to our getting a good contract. While we all may not agree on different topics and issues at hand, together we can all make a difference. Divided we will not only fall, but fail each other.