Yellow | FedEx running scared over labor bill...

That's NOT the issue . The issue is the fact is the LOOPHOLE in the law . Straighten out the loop hole is ALL we're saying.
Then what ever happens happens!!!!
I'm not saying the union is for everyone .Just let the people VOTE.Fred Smith hid the exemption in a FAA bill of 1997. Just straighten this thing out .
If a vote does come up and Fed-X does vote the union down. Hey atleast they had a fair chance to vote .So be it .

wizzard said:

So Fedex ground contractors sued claiming that they are employees... That does not answer my question; why is the union so obsessed with Fedex?

Click to expand...

Regarding the link I provided, when drivers attempt to form unions to address their working conditions, they face an arduous route. First, they must prove they are employees, and not independent contractors who lack the federally protected right to form a union.

FedEx is governed by the National Railway Labor Act. The union feels that FedEx is mis classifying their package car drivers as contractors. Therefore they should not fall under the provisions of the NLRA and should be classified as employees and be governed under the NLRA National Labor Relations Act.

In other words, the union has been fighting on behalf of these employees who wish to form a union but are having a great deal of trouble doing so due to the current laws. Did that help?

222lifer said:

Regarding the link I provided, when drivers attempt to form unions to address their working conditions, they face an arduous route. First, they must prove they are employees, and not independent contractors who lack the federally protected right to form a union.

FedEx is governed by the National Railway Labor Act. The union feels that FedEx is mis classifying their package car drivers as contractors. Therefore they should not fall under the provisions of the NLRA and should be classified as employees and be governed under the NLRA National Labor Relations Act.

In other words, the union has been fighting on behalf of these employees who wish to form a union but are having a great deal of trouble doing so due to the current laws. Did that help?

Click to expand...

So the union is a charitable organization, doing this work for Fedex employees for free? I think that it is more likely that the union is looking to exand its customer base.

Fedex Express employees are not contractors, and have nothing to prove in that sense.

My point is that the union is pushing legislation on two fronts to make it easier to expand its customer base. This seems to put them in the same classification as 'greedy corporations'...do whatever it takes to make more $$$

bear69 said:

Because they dont want a bunch of whining little B*tchs,(thats not my job,you cant make me,i'll call my union on you because your picking on me bo freaking hoo, get over it.) They want fedex be bail them out because the government wont.

Click to expand...

I guess that just about says it all. I didn't know that the majority of FedEx employees were, as you put it, "whining little B*tichs" That really does surprise me that FedEx would employ people like that. I would think that FedEx would just get rid of them instead of spending all those millions on a campaign to prevent all those whiners from joining a union.

I will admit that I am a little confused with the "bo freaking hoo"

222lifer said:

Regarding the link I provided, when drivers attempt to form unions to address their working conditions, they face an arduous route. First, they must prove they are employees, and not independent contractors who lack the federally protected right to form a union.

FedEx is governed by the National Railway Labor Act. The union feels that FedEx is mis classifying their package car drivers as contractors. Therefore they should not fall under the provisions of the NLRA and should be classified as employees and be governed under the NLRA National Labor Relations Act.

In other words, the union has been fighting on behalf of these employees who wish to form a union but are having a great deal of trouble doing so due to the current laws. Did that help?

Click to expand...

Let me say first that I'm not interesting in flaming you guys or being flamed in return. I'm not giving opinions - just clearing up some inaccuracies that continue to be stated in this thread.

Many of you, including the post I quoted above, are confusing FedEx GROUND with FedEx EXPRESS.

FedEx EXPRESS was founded as an airline (under the RLA - Railway Labor Act) in 1971. Why is is called the RAILWAY Labor Act if it has to do with airlines? Because when the law was originally written in the early part of the 20th century, "airlines" weren't around and rail was the predominant mode of cross-country shipping. Airlines were added to the act in the 30s, if memory serves. (Not that I was around back then.)

FedEx EXPRESS was founded as an AIRLINE because -

THEY USE AIRPLANES TO MOVE SHIPMENTS IN AN EXPRESS MANNER ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ALL OVERNIGHT.

They use TRUCKS (vans, whatever) to make the original pick up and delivery - but all the trucking horsepower in the world ain't gonna get that contract or medical sample or critical computer component or whatever from NY to LA in less than 24 hours.

Now, all the employees at FedEx EXPRESS are company employees. Even if they're not flying the planes, even if they're driving the pick up and delivery vans - they are still employed by an AIRLINE and thus covered under the Railway Act. Keep in mind that the baggage handler who destroys your luggage at American Airlines and the lady at the airport ticket counter with her blank stare and bad attitude are AIRLINE employees too, and they're not flying the planes...)

SO FEDEX EXPRESS EMPLOYEES ARE NOT INDEPENDENT CONTACTORS.

Things are different at FedEx GROUND, which, like FedEx EXPRESS, is a separate and wholly owned subsidiary of the larger FedEx CORPORATION.

This is the company originally formed as RPS in the 80s (and purchased in the late 90s by FedEx) to compete directly with UPS on GROUND delivery of small packages. Their original business model was based on using INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS and that model continues to be in use today.

There are many pending legal issues surrounding this model, but they don't apply to this debate over the classification of FedEx EXPRESS as an airline. They are two separate issues. One is a challenge in the courts (classification of GROUND's contractors as employees); the other is an issue in Congress (classification of EXPRESS - the company - as an airline.)

Why does UPS care? Because they were founded, much like FedEx GROUND (RPS) as a package delivery company - NOT an AIRLINE - under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA.)

In the 80s, UPS decided to broaden their service offerings and started express overnight delivery - USING AIRPLANES - to compete with FedEx EXPRESS, and asked Congress to reclassify them as an AIRLINE,

SO THEY COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RLA'S BENEFITS.

For whatever reason, that never happened. So recently, UPS decided to try a different tactic, and started asking Congress to remove FedEx EXPRESS from its AIRLINE status and move them from the Railway Labor Act to the National Labor Relations Act. The theory is that UPS believes if FedEx EXPRESS eventually became unionized, their operating costs would increase and they wouldn't compete as effectively.

So that's the story. As far as I know, everything I've posted is accurate and documented through multiple and various publicly available sources. Sorry, but I'm not going to footnote and cite all the sources. I think you can probably google any of it and find it yourself. I've tried to stay away from opinion and conjecture but if any slipped in - like the rude lady at the airport - I apologize in advance.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a 13 year empoyee of what is now FedEx FREIGHT - formerly of the American Freightways division of the company. I've no personal stake in any of this as long as my badge gets me in the door and my direct deposit hits the bank on schedule.

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew what they were debating.

Thanks
oaf

so where does Fedex National fit in are they a trucking company or an airline?? Im starting to understand the hoopla, Knowledge is power!!!!!

wizzard said:

Why not 'give' (change federal law) the 'exemption' to everyone? Who is the 'exemption' hurting?

Again, I don't think that Fedex is asking anyone to drop their union, but I hear alot of pressure on Fedex to join or accept one.

What is it about Fedex that makes it such an obsession for the Teamsters Union?

Click to expand...

wizzard said:

I guess I don't understand why it is any of the unions business what Fedex does or does not do. (or what Conway or Estes does, for that matter) That is between the company and the employees.

I think what Fedex is 'afraid of' is strong arm tactics by the federal government in support of unions that want to come between the company and its employees for the purpose of making money. (lets face it, union representation is not free)

And as far as 'hiding behind the railroad act' goes, Fedex is abiding by the law that governs it. Is UPS or Estes 'hiding behind' the laws that govern them?

Click to expand...

wizzard said:

So Fedex ground contractors sued claiming that they are employees... That does not answer my question; why is the union so obsessed with Fedex?

Click to expand...

The union doesn't want to come between the company and it's employees. On the contrary, it wants to bring yhem together in a more fair and balanced system so that the top 1% of the company doesn't make 99% of the money. They just want to help the rank and file get it's fair share, nothing more and nothing less.

Also please note that the union does NOT go into an area that it is not invited into. If the union is going after fed-ex for the purpose of organizing it, then enough employees have requested our help, plain and simple.

wizzard said:

So the union is a charitable organization, doing this work for Fedex employees for free? I think that it is more likely that the union is looking to exand its customer base.

Fedex Express employees are not contractors, and have nothing to prove in that sense.

My point is that the union is pushing legislation on two fronts to make it easier to expand its customer base. This seems to put them in the same classification as 'greedy corporations'...do whatever it takes to make more $$$

Click to expand...

No the union is not a charitable organization but our members do a lot of charitable and humanitarian work.........As for your "customer base" comment., you are mistaken. The union is a non profit organization not a business, it's not for hire and it doesn't have any customers, only members. Are we looking to expand, of course we are always looking for new members. There is strength in numbers.

The Teamster's union is backing legislation that protects and advances the cause of workers rights. Your comparing us to "greedy corporations" is ridiculous.

wizzard will you answer this question for me? Why are some of you so afraid of this legislation? If you don't want a union that is one thing. But to not have the same rights as say a Conway, Estes or Old Dominion worker doesn't make any sense to me. Do you really believe that it is right for FedEx to hide behind an obscure railroad regulation that makes it harder for the employees to be able to join a union if the majority chooses to do so?

How do your coworkers feel about this? If the majority think like you that unions are bad then there won't even be a need for a vote. IMO there is a big difference between not wanting to join and not even having the right to decide for yourself whether or not you want to join. Why is FedEx denying you that right?

GOTTAGO said:

so where does Fedex National fit in are they a trucking company or an airline?? Im starting to understand the hoopla, Knowledge is power!!!!!

Click to expand...

Fedex National is a truckline formerly Watkins Motor Freight. Part of the same Fedex division as Fedex Freight

jimmyhoffa said:

Government deregulation is what ruined union trucking not the TEAMSTERS UNION.

Click to expand...

This had alittle to do with it..........

Allowing companies to "doublebreast" and the union ignored it, when it contractually plainly states "no doublebreasting". go figure?
Also for the Union for thinking UPS is thier baby,and overlook the other trucking companies building momentum?

Carter didn't do "us" any favors, that's for sure.

I'm out

Old AF said:

Let me say first that I'm not interesting in flaming you guys or being flamed in return. I'm not giving opinions - just clearing up some inaccuracies that continue to be stated in this thread.

Many of you, including the post I quoted above, are confusing FedEx GROUND with FedEx EXPRESS.


In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a 13 year empoyee of what is now FedEx FREIGHT - formerly of the American Freightways division of the company. I've no personal stake in any of this as long as my badge gets me in the door and my direct deposit hits the bank on schedule.

Just wanted to make sure everyone knew what they were debating.

Thanks
oaf

Click to expand...

Old Af, I am confused. Is FedEx Freight under the same railroad regulation as FedEx Express? If not then can each FedEx Freight terminal be organized individually?

eddy09322 said:

The union doesn't want to come between the company and it's employees. On the contrary, it wants to bring yhem together in a more fair and balanced system so that the top 1% of the company doesn't make 99% of the money. They just want to help the rank and file get it's fair share, nothing more and nothing less.

Also please note that the union does NOT go into an area that it is not invited into. If the union is going after fed-ex for the purpose of organizing it, then enough employees have requested our help, plain and simple.

Click to expand...

Finally a solid answer! The union is getting involved because someone invited them
Without that invitation, it would be none of their business.

The union wants to be the 'go between' for Fedex employees. ('go between' describes better what I meant than 'come between')

I still believe that the union wants to perform this service for a fee more so than 'just want to help'. (nobody gives away their goods or services)

The other question that I have is how many requests constitute 'enough employees' and how is this documented?

Triplex said:

And what boggles the mind even more is that the non-union workers there think they are better off without a union! Go figure!!

Click to expand...

I could never understand how a company the size of Fed Ex has drivers who would work for less than top rate. Any driver who has a Class A CDL is worth top rate. Maybe they feel secure knowing that their very poor company can't afford it or it gives Fed Ex an edge. I like the name Fred gave the company.. 'Federal' like they are Prima Donna Federal Employees. By the time it comes down to a vote it would be highly unlikely they would vote for the Teamsters because Fred will have them looking better then us assuming of course we are still around. We got enough to worry about

2631 said:

No the union is not a charitable organization but our members do a lot of charitable and humanitarian work.........As for your "customer base" comment., you are mistaken. The union is a non profit organization not a business, it's not for hire and it doesn't have any customers, only members. Are we looking to expand, of course we are always looking for new members. There is strength in numbers.

The Teamster's union is backing legislation that protects and advances the cause of workers rights. Your comparing us to "greedy corporations" is ridiculous.

wizzard will you answer this question for me? Why are some of you so afraid of this legislation? If you don't want a union that is one thing. But to not have the same rights as say a Conway, Estes or Old Dominion worker doesn't make any sense to me. Do you really believe that it is right for FedEx to hide behind an obscure railroad regulation that makes it harder for the employees to be able to join a union if the majority chooses to do so?

How do your coworkers feel about this? If the majority think like you that unions are bad then there won't even be a need for a vote. IMO there is a big difference between not wanting to join and not even having the right to decide for yourself whether or not you want to join. Why is FedEx denying you that right?

Click to expand...

It is not a matter of being afraid of the legislation. It is a matter of what is right. Fedex is not 'hiding behind' any obscure regulation; they are out in the public spotlight. Fedex Express is a cargo airline.

There is no reason to change the laws that govern it. If the majority of the workers want a union, they have the right to vote in a union under the current law, though it would not be as easy as under NLRA.

At Fedex Freight and National, we (includes me) have the same rights as all trucklines under NLRA. But now that is not enough for some who are pushing legislation (Free Choice Act) to make it easier for us to get a union without a private ballot.

Again to me it is more the principal of the thing, is this important enough to enlist the US Congress to get it done?

I know a few fed ex workers who cant wait to sign the cards.

kitkat36 said:

I've got to wonder why any company would want the Teamsters as their union. The Teamsters really aren't doing squat for us right now are they?

Click to expand...

no doubt, i'd resist the teamsters at all cost. they are only interested in helping theirself (to your money) and there is no brotherhood. this should be brotherhood of backstabbers and cutthroats

If Freddie smith thinks his employees are happy why don't he go back to golfing and stop worrying himself. It would be some thing if he won this battle and then croaked on the 9th hole and died from all the stress. His obituary would say he was a champion for workers rights.

the whining little b*tch's are all the people in the union now, crying because the company wants them to do the job they were hired for. But the union wont let you. Then they creates lazy people then inreturn makes for bad work ethics and then you have a company that is so far in the hole because they have to hire more people and pay overtimeto do the job you were hired for. Hold on a second I think that is where YRC is now. Begging for money to try and stay afloat. Dam where do i sign up again. Sounds like a deal that cant be passed up. You have to admit with out youre money they wouldnt be able to go on those campian trips (campain trips thats funny)

bear69 said:

the whining little b*tch's are all the people in the union now, crying because the company wants them to do the job they were hired for. But the union wont let you. Then they creates lazy people then inreturn makes for bad work ethics and then you have a company that is so far in the hole because they have to hire more people and pay overtimeto do the job you were hired for. Hold on a second I think that is where YRC is now. Begging for money to try and stay afloat. Dam where do i sign up again. Sounds like a deal that cant be passed up. You have to admit with out youre money they wouldnt be able to go on those campian trips (campain trips thats funny)

Click to expand...

Your spelling (or lack of) is the funny part.

bear69 said:

the whining little b*tch's are all the people in the union now, crying because the company wants them to do the job they were hired for. But the union wont let you. Then they creates lazy people then inreturn makes for bad work ethics and then you have a company that is so far in the hole because they have to hire more people and pay overtimeto do the job you were hired for. Hold on a second I think that is where YRC is now. Begging for money to try and stay afloat. Dam where do i sign up again. Sounds like a deal that cant be passed up. You have to admit with out youre money they wouldnt be able to go on those campian trips (campain trips thats funny)

Click to expand...

You are a classic trool and you might live under a bridge and grab little kids when they cross what say you? Also you had 8 grammar errors in your post and my favorite one was overtimeto. Slow Down and think newbie and don't dumb down this forum.