There is always "ambiguity" (uncertainty) in everything...
And "Yes"... Why wouldn't this place remain one of the most desirable places to work?
Competition will always be there... especially in "this" industry... "Trucks move the World"
The way I see it "Technology and Price" is already securing "new business" (even here in the N.E.)... as well as the "convenience" of having "one company handling all your shipping needs... and the convenience of receiving one bill for all your freight charges"
As far as your "main" concern... I know how our freight is being treated... Once the transition has been completed (new equipment, better facilities) a different mind set will set in...
Yes, technology is a winner I agree, but when the end result is higher costs for the shipper and or consighnee, in times when industrial america has reached the bottom of the hill, shippers will look for the cheaper price. The better equipment and facilities I agree will be a plus.
Right now in this state our volume has dropped considerably, and most sales personell agree the bottom line is price, and the fact that we cannot pick them up.
In referance too those companies that are doing well the added security ( technology) is most certainly a gift, and the fact that all can be done with one as opposed too the paperchase involved in the alternative.
We are the most expensive carrier still, in the north atleast. Said from alot of customers, I do multiple run's so therefore I have the chance to not only talk too alot of shipping managers , but managers who share the same opinion's in those multiple runs.
We are in a transitional state, so therefore I must keep an open mind, allthough alot of my statements, surely do not reflect this statement.
In regaurds to "AMBIGUITY" yes I suppose you are right, there will always be ambiguity in a contract, even Teamsters who from time too time refer too the NMFA as the Holy Grail can say from time to time it did not protect them, for whatever reason, again I must reiterate the fact that we as a whole (in referance to the contract) is being thrown under the bus.
I do say 44 years later the NMFA has taken a turn for the worst, to vote for this in our case would be travesty at best, but most of the protections in the contract should be referranced to us in our's, this is simple. The discretionary clause is one fine example or "sick pay" as the clause is referred to, in this national contract, this is a contridiction in terms. We do not see this in the NMFA. To be sick by definition does not in any way promote planning, spontiniety should be the definition for sick, the unfortunate thing is in this contract ( UPGF'S) discretionary is subject to approval by by management. The question here is, how does this protect workers right's? This is the ambiguity I speak of.
I get the impression my 10 year old desighned this contract. Allthough with that being said there is alot of good, alot we probably would not have seen without this contract. I do feel however, we may have to except this contract to get the ball rolling and move on too a brighter future in future negotiations.
