How can we compete with other companies with a work force up in age in LARGE numbers? Examples:

1) One trucker who is 79 yrs old carries a cain and an oxygen tank with him every day. Then needs help getting in and out of truck. He has a container to go to the bathroom in the cab, because he cannot climb in/out on his own anymore. However, he refuses to retire and soakds up EVERY hour of OT he can take!!

2) Another driver who is older has arthritis and has trouble walking etc. He passed out in the yard and was told he is not allowed to drive anymore due to his medical conditions being unsafe. As a result, he comes to the dock to operate a fork lift. Once again, he takes EVERY hour of ot he can get too!! This is a sad story here, but a problem never-the-less with a negative impact for other LCP teamsters / management too that work there.

3) I spoke to another supervisor yesterday and we were talking about this situation or problem facing this terminal. He told me that we have about 20-25 old guys on the dock that come in every day, literally, do nothing all day long. They do not care about anyone in any way what-so-ever!

Overall, what do you do about this problem in trying to compete with other companies both union/non-union? Realistically, you cannot keep pounding away on the younger workers and think they will make-up the difference all the time. Also, how do you get around a local that refuses to place or update ANY by-laws to stop this trend? Sure we all would like people to have the red carpet in life no matter the case, but with the benefits that a worker gets in this union it places more strain onto EVERYONE. The company is planning on guys retiring at 57 and when they do not it hurts both parties involved.

In closing, I believe the solution to this problem is very simple, but very painful to act on too. We have to shut the place down or dramatically cut-down the work it gets in result to the workforce being older and not in the best-of-health. Furthermore, I personally do not want this at ALL. However, if I am going to be honest with my self and to others? This is the only option when old guys refuse to leave. In addition, I hope that this is a great oppurtnity for others out there in other places and I only ask you carry the torch a little farther for us here at LCP. God Bless