Fair enough..... Dayton, Ohio
Joining a Union , and potencial income his first year.

Quote from Woodys:
"Ok..I'll Start
1) New guy drives for a year or two..."clean MVR".
How does he join?
How much $$ does he make the first year?
What are the best area's to live in, to get a union job?"

First, an intro... I am niot in the union but have been speaking with alot of union drivers, as well as the local union rep for drivers here in Phx.
1) go to the unions website, the job board, and find the union companies in the areas you want to work or in general.
2) apply to those companies
3) if accepted... join the union
Suggestion to me was, work through the local union reps as they can tell you if there is any hiring going on, or laid off drivers waiting to get back on.

Money depends upon company and job type... there is casual, city driver, long haul.. some have started on the docks.

Hope this helps, though it's info from a non union guy looking to get into a union job like you...

QUESTION to The Big R: You are in Buffalo... I am in AZ and from Buffalo and knowing that currently most union driving jobs are in the east, ne, and mid west... I will have to move. Are there any jobs in Buffalo you are aware of? Are there any cities/locations that would be better to consider than others? For example, I have heard Cinci will be hiring due to the Yellow/Rodeway merger... though I was told here in Phx. there are expected many more layoffs due to the merger... Thanks.
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You need what 70% to sign cards?
That's in each barn and then you need each barn until all barns agree?????????

I've been retired for 2 1/2 years, so I',m kinda out of the loop. I do know there is a big shakeup going on at Yellow and Roadway right now that may result in the loss of some jobs. If I were to be looking for work, it would be at ABF. Hope that helps.

Hope you are having a great time on your retirement! Must be nice. I agree with your advice except, (and you said you have been out of the loop, but this will make sense to you with all the years you have as a Teamster), ABF pulled out of the negotiating authority and now has a "follow me" contract stance. So, even though they are not technically bound by the master freight agreement, they have agreed to abide by it. In my opinion, no matter where you go, you will be bound and gagged by the rules that the NMFA is bound to, unless you go to UPS or somewhere like that. I think I may have missed a point here, looking further into your disscussion, and it may not have anything to do with contracts, but it still may be useful info...

I am a 1 year road driver with YRC. I can tell you that getting started with a freight co is hard. With the new contrac a new worker has to wait 3 years to get to 100% on the pay scale. The old contract which I am under it only took 2 years to get to 100%. In mine opion it helps to work in a place that has a lot of factories. I am in OKC which has very few. We are basicly a relay point from the east to the west and visa versa. Right now is a bad time to be looking for a union job. I think the best time is in the srping and summer. Good Luck in you search.