My take on unions..2008..

jakebrake12 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 01:35 AM

As a staunch non-union driver, I still owe you guys some gratitude. I fully understand if not for union wages and bennies, I would not make $23.55 per hour and OT at 8 at Conway if not for union scale. I 100% understand that. 100% no question about it. Any non-union driver who does not acknowledge this is kidding themselves.

Also, union members have shown more class overall here on the boards. Animo, Busternite, BigR, and STLDude to name a few. I have not shown the class they have at times expressing my opinions.

All of that said, I have some issues with current organized labor.

Politics are number one but that is another debate..

To me, the worst failure of union's, is the union's failure to evolve with the times. No workforce in any industry can work under the same rules in 2008 that it has since the 70's. Specifically in ltl freight, you cannot have a driver to pick up freight, a separate driver/employee unload it, another load it, another hook the set and fuel the truck, another to line-haul it, another to break the set, another to unload it, re-load it , and deliver it. I genuinely like the old union drivers on my route, and they genuinely like me, but they will not evolve. This is where I differ with them greatly.

When I read the YRC board about the Velocity lanes it validates everything I just said. Drivers, you must evolve or you will be left behind. Good, bad, right, or wrong, the Velocity lanes are the only way YRC can be relevant in the future of the LTL marketplace. You must make it work. I know your bread and butter is 3-6 day freight but that has been under-cut by logistics companies. I see the the invoices at my good customers. Third-party firms have cut the rates at my good shippers to a point where it is not worth hauling. They send a different low-ball carrier every time. The service sucks but they do not care. Not your fault, but you must make the next move.

UPSF to their credit, evolved, and took freight from me. With the new "evolving" lanes they have, they are now competitive with Conway to the south in my area. UPSF is a sleeping giant in LTL land. They will evolve and do what is necessary to not only survive, but win.

My other big gripe about unions is too much employment (not job) protection. My terminal has had 4 fired this year. 2 above me, 2 below me to be fair. All legit IMO. 2 with attendance issues, one with accident issues, and one with a combination of the two. One co-worker (20 year teamster) said all but one would have kept their jobs with the union. We are far better off without them. This must change for the union outfits to compete. The tide has changed people..

In closing, I thank the Teamsters for all they have done, but if you do not evolve with the times, UPSF is all that will remain.

For the love of God, make the Velocity work.. For all of us..

I don't want to hear the BS about non-unions cutting rates either. I see the invoices from my good customers and you might be surprised. In all my heavy lanes, Conway is substantially more than all my competition but we are 1-3 days faster depending on the lane.

Speed of transit will be the key. Evolve or be left behind..

LCP771 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 01:45 AM

very true my friend

jakebrake12 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCP771

very true my friend

Just my take man.. If you all can make it work, it benefits us all.. Union, non-union, otr...

Boxboss · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 02:45 AM

I, too, read the velocity thread with great interest...I had to smirk at the guy who said he went out and slept in his tractor for 2-3 hours, I think..That is the guy that just doesn't get it, the importance of Velocity to Yellow's future..I worked at Yellow for 10 years, with alot of good people, and alot of people like the guy on the Velocity thread..I still have alot of friends there, people that I do not want to see bad things happen to..But as long as there is protection for the "sleeper", the risk to the future remains...and because of the structure of the union environment, it will only be other union members who can take care of guys like this and win in the end...competition makes our business great, we don't need anymore "players" leaving the game....

jakebrake12 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxboss

I, too, read the velocity thread with great interest...I had to smirk at the guy who said he went out and slept in his tractor for 2-3 hours, I think..That is the guy that just doesn't get it, the importance of Velocity to Yellow's future..I worked at Yellow for 10 years, with alot of good people, and alot of people like the guy on the Velocity thread..I still have alot of friends there, people that I do not want to see bad things happen to..But as long as there is protection for the "sleeper", the risk to the future remains...and because of the structure of the union environment, it will only be other union members who can take care of guys like this and win in the end...competition makes our business great, we don't need anymore "players" leaving the game....

Ain't that the truth.. Won't say his name but one old Yellow driver has helped me around my area more than anyone.. I hope I can help his boy-wonder around that area someday.. God damn, evolve people, evolve.. All kidding aside, I want the YRC Velocity to succeed. Almost seems like I want it more than you..................

roadhazard · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 03:45 AM

Believe me when I say that if the velocity service or the whole company fails ,it will not be the drivers that made it happen, it will be YRCW's extremely lazy (numbers only) management that will be at fault. Of course the labor(the people who actually work) will take the blame, like we do for every failure.