A Joke

[a9faninnc]

Originally Posted by 2631

I'm concerned because as the bottom feeder companies continue to get bigger they will either have to raise their employee's wage & benefit standards up to our level or eventually we will be dragged down to theirs.

Will we be forced to take a layoff or become "utility drivers"???Woe are we...

[elvis]

Originally Posted by braceface

Why are you so concerned about our pay ? Never mind.... I have heard it all before.. I guess Obama's is also your man, he will take care of all of your needs. Maybe after you good union members get him elected, he can make all of the so called bottom feeder compannies pay us overtime....

You are partially correct. All of the bottom feeders except R&L. Teamster Elvis out....

[2631]

Originally Posted by a9faninnc

Will we be forced to take a layoff or become "utility drivers"???Woe are we...

I assume that your question was meant as sarcasm, but actually it goes to the point of my arguement.
In the past the "big boys" (major LTL carriers) had set the freight rates & wage standards in the freight industry. These "big boys" report their O/R' s (Operating Ratios) usually on a quarterly & Yearly basis....Labor costs for the major LTL companies are & always have been a significant part of their O/R.....Since some of the smaller companies (bottom feeders who don't report their O/Rs & can hide their profits) have expander & are able to lower their rates by paying their employees substandard wages they are now taking away freight from the "big boys"......That is the reason for the layoffs & utility drivers, to try & compete without having to bring down our standards.

I don't know anything about the company that you work for so I don't know if it is in the catagory of what I consider to be a bottom feeder

[Animo916]

Originally Posted by JCWCuda

I worked as a teamster for 18 years until they rolled over and held hands with the company and let them get rid of all the teamster jobs(35) and replace them with Owner operators . So that's pretty much how i feel about the Teamsters right now . I was promised the world and recieved nothing .

You do have 18 years worth of pension credits. Or do you plan on giving that up?

You may like your Teamster job but at my age working casual and taking multiple layoffs as well having to follow my work every couple of years when there is a COO just doesn't cut it .

I lost one Teamster job due to closure 9 years ago, and landed with another Teamster job. If following the work in a COO means keeping my job, then that's what I have to do. If I don't want to follow the work, then I have no right complaining about it. It was something I knew could and would happen, and make the adjustments accordingly. It is the nature of the industry. As mentioned before, layoffs occur for a few reasons....this slow economy is one of them, and losing freight to a lowball bottom feeder is another.

R+L has provided me with a Good steady pay and stable work schedule so call me what you will but i am happy there after all the CRAP i went through as Teamster . You enjoy your Hell and I'll enjoy Mine

Having little knowledge about R & L, I am glad you are happy working there. I have heard about their employee "resort program", and their race car, but what about your benefits? Do you pay for medical coverage or have a pension plan with them, (other than a 401k)? Also, if they are so great, why is it that they farm out their NY Metro freight to a true bottom feeder?, instead of serving NY direct with their own employees? Preferably NY drivers that are in need of employment.

[braceface]

Originally Posted by 2631

I'm concerned because as the bottom feeder companies continue to get bigger they will either have to raise their employee's wage & benefit standards up to our level or eventually we will be dragged down to theirs.

If we get overtime, will they have to lay many of us off, (all the time) like the union carriers do you guys? How can you get dragged down, won't the precious union take care of you?

[braceface]

Originally Posted by elvis

You are partially correct. All of the bottom feeders except R&L. Teamster Elvis out....

Hi Elvis, Why do hate R&L Carriers ? Are they just to hard to compete with ? Can you union guys not take it ? .... I think the union carriers are the bottom feeders.....Oh I forgot Obama will take of you ....Braceface out....