Our SCM informed

[cactus flower]

Well, the thing is, the union doesn't decide on the contract, they negotiate one, then present it to us, the employees, and we decide, or vote on whether we want to accept their offer, it is called negotiations...and yes, it may mean we may have to walk for some time. I don't want to, but I am prepared to do it in support of the better benefits and job security we all know FDX can afford and provide, or, the will provide it once we go union, and we will.
As far as your as old cliche goes about "blostering their pension fund", thats nothing but hogwash, honestly, spend some time and do your research, and be honest with yourself, if you can, when you do it, but, I know you won't, because it would require self motivation, and time to do it, so you won't, it's easier to just repeat the same old drab, and think whooooowies me and not educate yourself on the real facts.

[youdonotknowthe]

Originally Posted by cactus flower

Well, the thing is, the union doesn't decide on the contract, they negotiate one, then present it to us, the employees, and we decide, or vote on whether we want to accept their offer, it is called negotiations...and yes, it may mean we may have to walk for some time. I don't want to, but I am prepared to do it in support of the better benefits and job security we all know FDX can afford and provide, or, the will provide it once we go union, and we will.
As far as your as old cliche goes about "blostering their pension fund", thats nothing but hogwash, honestly, spend some time and do your research, and be honest with yourself, if you can, when you do it, but, I know you won't, because it would require self motivation, and time to do it, so you won't, it's easier to just repeat the same old drab, and think whooooowies me and not educate yourself on the real facts.

I agree 100% but would the majority of the drivers and dockworkers be willing to go on a strike especially now, as far as the pension fund you may be right he again but I have read several articles where the pension fund is not fully funded and how UPS and ABF actually tried to buy there way out of the fund (not sure if they did or not) but the bottom line there are all kinds of articles that refer to under funding of pension plans not just the teamsters

Cactus flower I am not saying not to go union in fact in many ways I would like to see it, all I am saying is be careful many of the things that are being introduced at FedEx are in contracts for other companies. Also remember one big thing no one has said that FedEx would even go under the Master freight agreement, I believe that is negotiable too

By the way I appreciate your opinion; I hope you understand that I am not trying to talk anybody out of anything. I have been around for a while and have seen the benefits both ways. I hope everyone is thinking about all of the consequences and then we all make an informed decision

[cactus flower]

I agree with you, I have seen both sides too, the very good side of non union, when we were Viking, a company who really cared about their people, but, now that FDX has come in and ruined a great company, I have seen the otherside myself, and this is why, I am actively persuing the union. I kno what you are talking about with the pensions funds, I have read and tried to educate myself as much as I can, doing my best to keep an open mind on everything, but after sitting back and lookin at the big picture, I see a no win for us staying non union, just a continual giving up more and more. I am one who can be pushed alot, go with the flow, but, I have reached the point, as well as many of my fellow workers, and said screw it time to regain some of what we have lost. The other thing is, when we do go union, if in time, we find it is a mistake, it can always be voted out, and after readin through NLRB pages, it is not a hard thing to do. So, what is there to lose?? Nothing.

[FourDigitViking]

Originally Posted by youdonotknowthe

On the other hand the Unions are strapped for cash in the retirement fund and will do anything to get more bodies in the Union to bolster that fund.

This is something I have heard endlessly over the years. It is too general and broad to be meaningful. Usually, it is corporate types spouting it to "be helpful in making an informed decision" . I am interested in your source and would appreciate it if you could quote a reliable one for the benefit of this discussion.

[BusterNite]

Originally Posted by youdonotknowthe

Just out of curiosity Franklin, what makes you think that FedEx will negotiate a contract that allows for full time dockworkers? What makes you think that with the way FedEx has been treating us that they will not negotiate a contract that does not allow for anything other than we have right now.

The union needs as many bodies as they can get to bolster their retirement fund and that means whatever contract is negotiated the Union would not be in any hurry to turn it down.

I am not saying that FedEx should not seek union representation I just do not trust the company or the union.

On one hand the company is squeezing the lifeblood out of the employees whether we feel it is just or not. On the other hand the Unions are strapped for cash in the retirement fund and will do anything to get more bodies in the Union to bolster that fund.

Both are big business who do you trust more, I personally do not trust either one any farther than I can toss the ones in charge.

Let me Inform you. The Teamsters got over 12,000 UPSF employees, NONE of our money is for the Teamster pension funds. For the 26 years that I have been with Overnite/UPSF our Pension remains the same except for one thing, It is secure and cannot be taken away for the term of the contract. So that means the 12,000 bodies that the Teamsters got did not bolster there retirement funds. By the way, The Teamster retirement funds have been on the rise for sometime now. Even with out UPSF.