It looks like Sysco sucks!

I'm new, just registered today. Worked for SYSCO briefly as a casual line haul shuttle driver (4 months) before accepting a full time position at PYA/ Monarch, also a line haul shuttle position (2 years).

The PYA job was a 'special circumstances' situation I won't go into great detail unless asked. I was fired and told to never set foot on the property again! An educational situation for sure. Haven't done any more food service work either, not that I won't but I've gone on to other things. I'm in my 35th year of truck driving as a vocation:shift:

I would like to hear the story transferred, we can all benefit from an experience, rookies and vets alike, sounds like it would be an interesting story.

Oh, and..........


Welcome to Truckingboards!!!!!
 
I would like to hear the story transferred, we can all benefit from an experience, rookies and vets alike, sounds like it would be an interesting story.

Oh, and..........


Welcome to Truckingboards!!!!!

Thanks for the welcome! I certainly agree with your signature about being the best father possible as the payoffs are the wonderful grandchildren that are arriving.

Regarding PYA/Monarch; I was working casual linehaul for Sysco and rarely getting 40 hours per week - using a driver temp service to fill the balance. PYA was running an ad in the local paper - drove over, did the app and was interviewed and hired on the spot (clean DAC and DVR forever).

The spiel was they were 'creating a new division dedicated to handle specific accounts', 'excellent ground floor opportunity' etc. Pay was good, guaranteed hours plus over time. Line haul shuttle between Charlotte, NC, Lexington, SC and Walterboro, SC. Although based out of Charlotte, we were considered employees of the Walterboro facility. Looking good, best opportunity I've had since leaving Florida.


A long story short:

This was the 'diversity division' meant to attract 'gay males' already employed in Charlotte PYA but few took advantage or bothered to apply for transfer.

A number of non gay PYA employees transferred and promptly quit once they found out what the situation was. A stipulation for transfer was you couldn't return!

Walterboro had been slated to close but the state stepped in with 'incentives'.

Specific accounts had been transferred to Walterboro: military bases and Subway were to two largest and a couple of smaller accounts.

Management of the Charlotte driver's group and the Walterboro warehouse were gay but the overwhelming majority of the Charlotte and Walterboro drivers were non-gay. I'm a people person - just a paycheck.

Walterboro warehouse completely dysfunctional as the majority of the experienced employees had left at the beginning of the 'transformation'. This facility was the original Coastal Food Services facility before PYA bought'em out several years previous.

Only one Coastal employee remained - a maintenance man and truck mechanic who loved motorcycles - my favorite employee! Otherwise, it was a mix of completely dysfunctional employees who consistently impeded the warehouse operation. Within a few months of the new division startup, we were moved from our 'cubicle' at the regular Charlotte operation to our own 'space' at the old SEFL terminal in Rock Hill, SC.

Those of us with 'experience' who might 'cause a problem' were given consistent negative reviews backed up by false and/or altered CADEC records. It was almost funny to view a CADEC report that showed consistent speeding, excessive braking and starting when the entire route was run on interstate highways with the cruise set at 55mph.

The 'diversity people' who were consistently late, 'lost in action', living in the pickle parks/ truck stops and speeding past you on the highway trying to make up time were getting perfect reviews/CADEC reports. We just laughed and most of us 'problem drivers' did a good job of documenting the nonsense. All of the 'problem drivers' finally moved on to greener pastures but being the stubborn person I can be, I wanted to stick this out to its ultimate conclusion. U.S. Foods had already announced they were rolling the PYA/Rock Hill operation into their much larger, existing operation just a few miles away.

Within a month of the purchase of PYA by the parent co. of U.S. Foods I received a phone call from Charlotte operations to come to Charlotte and turn in my keys, gear, paperwork, etc. and I was not to step foot on the Rock Hill SEFL-operation or I could be arrested for tresspassing? Interesting, as I hadn't made any kind of threat, overt or otherwise.

I went to the Rock Hill facility in question after dark on the following weekend, when no one was around, and left everything inside the key/document box - nothing had been rekeyed or changed - and left a polite note stating to the effect 'It's been real - wishing the best'.

The shoestring Rock Hill terminal was indeed closed shortly afterwards with the Walterboro facility closed later at an undetermined time. I went by the Walterboro facility last year and the building is now home to a boat manufacturer.

___________________________

Within a week, I answered an ad for a driver delivering medical supplies and equipment. Again, I was interviewed and hired on the spot. Lasted nearly 4 years and I was escorted off of the property by the Police but not arrested. That story is outlined in another thread on this site.

Experience builds character.:shift:
 
Thanks for the welcome! I certainly agree with your signature about being the best father possible as the payoffs are the wonderful grandchildren that are arriving.

Regarding PYA/Monarch; I was working casual linehaul for Sysco and rarely getting 40 hours per week - using a driver temp service to fill the balance. PYA was running an ad in the local paper - drove over, did the app and was interviewed and hired on the spot (clean DAC and DVR forever).

The spiel was they were 'creating a new division dedicated to handle specific accounts', 'excellent ground floor opportunity' etc. Pay was good, guaranteed hours plus over time. Line haul shuttle between Charlotte, NC, Lexington, SC and Walterboro, SC. Although based out of Charlotte, we were considered employees of the Walterboro facility. Looking good, best opportunity I've had since leaving Florida.


A long story short:

This was the 'diversity division' meant to attract 'gay males' already employed in Charlotte PYA but few took advantage or bothered to apply for transfer.

A number of non gay PYA employees transferred and promptly quit once they found out what the situation was. A stipulation for transfer was you couldn't return!

Walterboro had been slated to close but the state stepped in with 'incentives'.

Specific accounts had been transferred to Walterboro: military bases and Subway were to two largest and a couple of smaller accounts.

Management of the Charlotte driver's group and the Walterboro warehouse were gay but the overwhelming majority of the Charlotte and Walterboro drivers were non-gay. I'm a people person - just a paycheck.

Walterboro warehouse completely dysfunctional as the majority of the experienced employees had left at the beginning of the 'transformation'. This facility was the original Coastal Food Services facility before PYA bought'em out several years previous.

Only one Coastal employee remained - a maintenance man and truck mechanic who loved motorcycles - my favorite employee! Otherwise, it was a mix of completely dysfunctional employees who consistently impeded the warehouse operation. Within a few months of the new division startup, we were moved from our 'cubicle' at the regular Charlotte operation to our own 'space' at the old SEFL terminal in Rock Hill, SC.

Those of us with 'experience' who might 'cause a problem' were given consistent negative reviews backed up by false and/or altered CADEC records. It was almost funny to view a CADEC report that showed consistent speeding, excessive braking and starting when the entire route was run on interstate highways with the cruise set at 55mph.

The 'diversity people' who were consistently late, 'lost in action', living in the pickle parks/ truck stops and speeding past you on the highway trying to make up time were getting perfect reviews/CADEC reports. We just laughed and most of us 'problem drivers' did a good job of documenting the nonsense. All of the 'problem drivers' finally moved on to greener pastures but being the stubborn person I can be, I wanted to stick this out to its ultimate conclusion. U.S. Foods had already announced they were rolling the PYA/Rock Hill operation into their much larger, existing operation just a few miles away.

Within a month of the purchase of PYA by the parent co. of U.S. Foods I received a phone call from Charlotte operations to come to Charlotte and turn in my keys, gear, paperwork, etc. and I was not to step foot on the Rock Hill SEFL-operation or I could be arrested for tresspassing? Interesting, as I hadn't made any kind of threat, overt or otherwise.

I went to the Rock Hill facility in question after dark on the following weekend, when no one was around, and left everything inside the key/document box - nothing had been rekeyed or changed - and left a polite note stating to the effect 'It's been real - wishing the best'.

The shoestring Rock Hill terminal was indeed closed shortly afterwards with the Walterboro facility closed later at an undetermined time. I went by the Walterboro facility last year and the building is now home to a boat manufacturer.

___________________________

Within a week, I answered an ad for a driver delivering medical supplies and equipment. Again, I was interviewed and hired on the spot. Lasted nearly 4 years and I was escorted off of the property by the Police but not arrested. That story is outlined in another thread on this site.

Experience builds character.:shift:

WOW!!! That was indeed interesting, thank you for sharing!! Now its off to find that other thread...you write some good reading Sir!!!
 
WOW!!! That was indeed interesting, thank you for sharing!! Now its off to find that other thread...you write some good reading Sir!!!

Within a week, I answered an ad for a driver delivering medical supplies and equipment. Again, I was interviewed and hired on the spot. Lasted nearly 4 years and I was escorted off of the property by the Police but not arrested. That story is outlined in another thread on this site.

Hoping everything is going well. Sadly, my contribution to the the Fresenius thread was removed as the thread was located in the 'non union drivers only' forum. I made no mention of my current union membership but that's the way this board works. If another Fresenius thread starts outside of the non union forum I will make another contribution.:whistle:
 
Hoping everything is going well. Sadly, my contribution to the the Fresenius thread was removed as the thread was located in the 'non union drivers only' forum. I made no mention of my current union membership but that's the way this board works. If another Fresenius thread starts outside of the non union forum I will make another contribution.:whistle:

LOL...I'll be looking forward to it!!
 
Your right, sometimes when I open the trailer doors to inspect, I ask myself, what the heck am I doing, as you know, you can look at the load...with experience...and just know how your first 3 or 4 stops are going to go.

I just can't imagine doing anything else at this point, I love my job, I guess that makes me somewhat insane, I have often questioned my love of this work, in my 20's I loved it, thats understandable, but now in my 40's, sometimes I question my very sanity.

Lord knows I really enjoy the abuse, alot more goes along with the job than just abuse of my body, I just get alot of satisfaction from it, I have always liked to work hard, thats just me, I'll do this as long as my body lets me I reckon.

Don't worry Pumpkin!
Just look for an Estes hiring near you.... When you open the doors, most likely you are the one that loaded it, or the guy who did, knows how you like it...:clap:
Oh ya.... We here at Estes don't do stairs.... Not allowed. You are welcome to bring a two wheeler with you, in case you need to use it as a broom! :biglaugh:
GT.... It's like staying married to a fat, drunk, demanding wife that is driving your spirit into the ground...
Please Sir.... Bump a dock, and move on... Oh ya, for more $$ GT is the best!:kiss2:
 
can anyone tell me how the :shit:tle driver position is. is it a good job or not. i was interviewed and road tested for that position took a drug test and a physical . just want a honest answer. work in freight now and it doesnt look good. looking for a steady job this seems like it.
 
sysco

hey sponge-- stonecold here. you will work you're tail off, but you will be compensated fairly well. where are you in pa? philly and pittsburgh are both union houses, harrisburgh is not. i work in a union shop in ny for sysco, so i am pro union. not to say that you wouldn't be paid well in a non union house, but you probably wouldn't make as much. they expect you to work 12-14 hours a day; 60-70 hours a week. some mornings you wake up extremely sore, but it's all part of the job. i've been peddling food for close to 17 years, and i'll peddle for another 17. any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
 
can anyone tell me how the :shit:tle driver position is. is it a good job or not. i was interviewed and road tested for that position took a drug test and a physical . just want a honest answer. work in freight now and it doesnt look good. looking for a steady job this seems like it.

What warehouse will you be working out of? Maybe somebody from PA can tell you the specifics of your warehouse

Other than that, usually it's pretty simple, just one day turns. You may be doing a single round trip or two per day. You may have to wait for your trailers to be loaded, but from what I've seen in most companies the shuttle trailers get loaded first. If you do have downtime you'll probably be paid an hourly rate for it.

Food is a lot more steady than frieght, I'll tell you that much. I did for food/beverage for three years, freight for eight months, and I'm back to food again, and I doubt I'll ever go back to freight.
 
thanks for the answers it is out of harrisburg. coming from freight wich is teamsters just wondering if pay is consitant with union scale.
 
harrisburgh

I assumed you were looking to peddle food, not the shuttles. With sysco's union houses, you generally have the option of being paid activity based compensation ,ABC pay -- cases, stops, and miles, or by the hour-- union scale. also, if you get paid by the case stop and mile, you would have a safety net for pay-- which is your hourly rate. with non union houses, you do not have a choice, its abc pay. i'm sure you are not starving, but on the other hand i'm sure the company isn't giving you as much as you should be getting. also, your benefits are through the company. sysco is a great company-- with today's economy, i personally wouldn't let a non union house stand in your way. any questions, let me know.
 
no problem

unfortunately, my honesty rubs people the wrong way sometimes. our shuttle drivers usually do 2 turns a night-- probably close to 350 miles. they get paid extremely well-- night differential pay, plus doubles pay. it sucks in winter storms, though. i would assume that a non-union house would probably pay you either straight mileage, or a salary. i will try to find out for you.
 
unfortunately, my honesty rubs people the wrong way sometimes. our shuttle drivers usually do 2 turns a night-- probably close to 350 miles. they get paid extremely well-- night differential pay, plus doubles pay. it sucks in winter storms, though. i would assume that a non-union house would probably pay you either straight mileage, or a salary. i will try to find out for you.

Sysco AR pays salary, or trip pay for the night, plus wait time ect, they are non union in AR mid $800's per week last I heard, with wait time they do fine Alma to Little Rock around 150mi give or take so 300 for the night would be close.
 
Oh the memories!

I Agree Smoke, At my last company we had a contract to deliver bags of sugar to the Walnut/industry, Ca (union) warehouse. They were on slip sheets, and the dock was supposed to unload them. But when we got there, they would "claim" that the slip sheet lift was broken and we had to unload the trailer by hand. It worked for a few drivers, but most of us knew better and told them we were not going to touch it and suddenly the lift was working!!!
Now when when I go there (luckily not often) I just do the breakdown to their pallets no matter how long it takes. It pisses them off and of course dispatch doesn't like the wasted time but oh well.

I worked for a local, nearby trucking co. for one week; they closed long ago - have even forgotten their name! I recall their 'prized employees'; one was literally 'legally blind' (and a driver!) while the other was a kid who boasted about 'hating unions' (had never worked in a union shop) and was happy to 'fingerprint' loads that should have been slip sheeted or palletized.

I was sent (for the first time) to a notorious commercial warehouse operation in Roanoke, VA with a trailer full of canned fish, all slip sheeted and all for the Kroger account. The WH manager was an a*s, complained bitterly about loaning me a pair of bolt cutters to remove the trailer seals. He then announced, with a bizarre smirk, that I would have to fingerprint the load as the slip sheet attachment for their forklift was broken. I asked a nearby dockman about the clearly visible slip sheet mechanism sitting in full view on the floor nearby; he was completely silent, indicating there was nothing wrong with the mechanism.

I phoned the trucking co. and they advised I should fingerprint the load (full 48' trailer); I indicated I would have nothing to do with it and I felt the WH manager may be running a scam. The trucking co. phoned Kroger and received permission to hire lumpers. Two lumpers were called and asked for $100 a piece to unload the truck,to which I quickly agreed (I was being paid about $10 per hour as I recall with no OT pay).

A short time later, the WH manager came out and spoke to the lumpers; they, in turn stated their price was now $300 total! I phoned the trucking co. and explained the situation to them; they reluctantly agreed and suggested I fingerprint the load myself - I didn't want any part of it. The WH manager directed two of his employees to help the lumpers and the truck was unloaded in about an hour. No doubt the extra $100 went to the 'manager'.

I was then sent to a matress manufacturer in Danville, VA to pick up a load of matresses to bring back to Charlotte; was advised the load wouldn't be ready until after midnight (it was 1500). I phoned the trucking co to get permission for a motel room (denied) as I had a daycab. I stayed with the truck on the company premises; load was finally ready at about 0700 the next morning (saturday).

I brought the load back to Charlotte and parked it on the yard - my resignation was tendered immediately and never looked back.:shades:
 
can anyone tell me how the :shit:tle driver position is. is it a good job or not. i was interviewed and road tested for that position took a drug test and a physical . just want a honest answer. work in freight now and it doesnt look good. looking for a steady job this seems like it.

LOL!!! The brief period I shuttled for SYSCO in 1998 I was paid $10 per hour and my primary destination was Fletcher, NC (I-26) from Concord, NC (I-85). Poor truck would only pull at 12 mph up the grades on I-26 to Fletcher. Often foggy in the area, the return trips to Concord were suicidal as you had to drive fast enough to keep from getting run over but would definitely crash with 50 ft. visibility or less if you came upon a slow moving vehicle or an accident. Occasionally 2 turns a night to a closer location. Couldn't drive your private vehicle past the security gate to load cb radios and assorted personal items. Many employees seemed to have other legal and/or employment 'issues'. 4 months was enough.
 
Sysco does suck , the people in the warehouse are rotten and treat the outside drivers like crap , I sure hope that they don't treat the company drivers the same. I hate the stop and would love to see them go to , well I'll leave it alone.
 
Sysco around here are the highest paid of all the food outfits, I can assure you you will get more than 10 per hr, you will be happy with the pay for what you have to do promise, no freezing cold dock work just unhook put em to the doors and get your loads and go, I want shuttle so bad with PFG I can't hardly stand it.
 
So Sysco treats everyone like crap ?

Hey Sysco management why is this ?

You treat the drivers that come there to deliver the crap that you order and treat us like ::shit:: and now it comes out that you treat your own people like that too.
 
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