Hazmat pulling a tank.

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At May my checks would be about 1100-1300 before taxes that is when I would remember to do the trip scanning.

I understand what you are saying, but I have never experienced any US law that stated that employers must make their workers comfortable. They can't "kill" them, perhaps, but they are allowed to make their life a living hell. Perhaps it is because you stated that you left retail management. Managers are nearly always treated much better than employees, and are further up the food chain. I worked as a factory worker for many years. They did not care about ergonomics, temperature control, how comfy your clothes were or if you got a potty break, or had a long enough lunch break. They certainly did not give a hoot whether you were paid enough to take care of your living expenses.

I really appreciate the candid discussion on Werner. I am re-thinking whether I want to work for them-- really, I am sort of a mercenary about this, and I intend to go for the company that offers the best deal. I also did not realize how horrid the trucking industry was, but I am becoming informed now. I hear there are some good companies, and decent folks seem to like working in the trucking business, so it can't be all that bad, but also, if you expect too much you may end up being disappointed.

I have heard that the temp-controlled and van divisions are hell, but the flatbed division isn't too bad. I also heard that flats barely consider the refer/van divisions as co-workers or even part of the same outfit. Of course, this was years ago.

LNL, you might look up System-TWT. The main office is in Spokane, WA, but they have terminals in other parts of the country. System is the flatbed side and TWT is the temp-controlled division.

The first few months should be the most important...because your new to the company and driving in general...how many people go to a 9-5 and say..."Yea my first two months is rough...boss yellin...treatin me like ####...check hours getting messed up...but i'm sure 10 months to a year things a change"...no...the first few months is basicly the deciding factor of you staying with that company or not...you wouldn't date a girl that acts likes a ##### for the first few months then say to yourself..."i'll marry her...the first few months ain't going to be smooth...they a change later"...

I been in a situation like that where i had a new job and the manager took advantage of me...i would always stay later to help him out and unload trucks when everybody ran out on fridays...i would work on weekends when people lied about being busy...but soon as i needed something from him...he turned his back on me...i had surgery because my appendix bursted...then when i came back 2 months later...he changed my job position to something i DECLINED months earlier...and wouldn't let me go back to doing what i been doing...and yes i was 100% and able to unload trucks still...so he forced me to do something i didn't want to do and he KNEW i didn't...so in result...he forced me to quit...

But...i'll get payback when i walk into the warehouse and he says..."why you here?...get out...you don't work here"...then i ignore him and hand him the BOL's...and then he'll see i came from a $8 a hour job to a 35-40,000 career salary...and no...i won't back date bills like he always ask drivers...=)

If you did that voluntarily, he didn't take advantage of you.....How long had you been with the company in question?
Is it possible, that in your absence the job still had to be done, and another employee --- possibly with more seniority --- took the position you had?Not so!
He may have "forced" you to make a decision, but I don't think he "forced" you to quit.
You claim you went the extra mile before your appendix "bursted", so why not cowboy up and continue goin' the extra mile?

Have you considered that he needed someone dependable, like yourself, to do the other job you didn't want? And, had you agreed to keep things rollin', he MIGHT have rewarded you later with another job you DID want?

And as a Big truck truck driver you'll most likely be paid by the mile. And, quickly realize that you're at the mercy of the shippers and receivers, who can easily detain a Big truck truck driver for hours, --- even days at a time. If "he" were to take that advantage, who do you reckon would be getting the last laugh?
If the wheels ain't turnin' ..............................................
And if your truckin' job sends you there often, that $8.00 an hour job just might turn out to be more profitable for you.

SOME warehouse workers DON'T like truck drivers even more than they don't like their fellow employees. Aggravating those types with an attitude wouldn't be the wisest choice a driver could make. Imagine if "he" encountered you as a new Big truck truck driver and decided "he" was jealous? How do you think "he" would treat you then?
With respect?
Which is something you claim "he" doesn't have to begin with.

A large part of Big truck truckin' requires a driver to THINK.
Hopefully first, and in time to avoid less than desirable conclusions to various situations.

Rubbing the noses of others with an
I'm better than y'all attitude just might backfire.
Think about it.
First.

Can see someone has a big chip on their shoulder.

Do not worry the first time at a shipper or reciver and you get an additude with them will probaly be the last time because you will learn a quick lesson. They will get even with you and make you sit for a long time.

I never let it bother me when they took their time because untill I entered a loaded call on the qualcom you can not get in trouble for a late load.

The company was able to see that my truck is still siting at the shipper then reciver can not complain about me being late.

All I use to do is go to the sleeper and wait untill they get done I would go check in from time to time but I was verry polite with them.
They explained to me what was going on I told them oh no problem my company pays detention time take as long as you need.

I may have been Po'd but I did not let them see that.
Also I never got my detention time as I was suppose to.

The best advice I have for you is if you go back to your old job location you better be nice to them.

You are on private property they can still tell you to get off of their property.
If you refuse to leave they may be able to get into trouble with the local cops.
Best thing to do is go outside and advise your driver manager what the situation is and the company wants you off of their property and ask what your company wants you to do.

You may have a load of their stuff on the truck but you are not GOD they can complain to your company and guess what too many complaints leads you back to the unemployment again.

As aftershock said they can make you wait hour even days to unload you then how much you going to make at XXXcpm.

Your old job had to be done while you were in the hospital they have no rules that makes the place hold your exact job for you.
They offered a position to you once you came back that is all they are required to do.
Also that is all they had to do to keep you from being able to get unemployment benifits.

What factory was that?

They did not give you two 15 minute breaks and a half hour lunchs or let you off a half hour earlier if you opted for no lunch break?
They did not provide you with a bathroom and let you pee in a jug?
They had you come to work at all hours of the day and night but only paid you when the line was moving and you where producing widgets
They did not let you consume Alcoholic beverages when you where off duty or go anywhere that would not allow you to be in direct sight of your workplace while off duty?
They had you sleep in a unheated or non air conditioned metal container the size off a couple of coffins on the factory floor while they kept the machines running?
When you finished your work for the day you could not punch out and had to stay on call during your off duty time in case they needed to talk to you when you where in bed.
You worked up to 7 days a week with no set days off that you knew of in advance.
They reported you to a central reporting agency and tried to get you blackballed if you quit their factory and tried to hire at another factory?
They only paid you for part of the widgets you produced.
They made you jump through hoops or delayed your checks or did not pay you at all for your hours of work.

I know of no factory that would last long without fines from the Dept of Labor & Industries if they operated in such a manner. Many OTR company's are thriving despite operating in such a manner.

Ahhhhhha! This sounds like the s*** truck drivers put up with.

I have been scouring the net trying to find some labor law, employment law etc... that would be the basis for a complaint. I have not found it yet. When I do, I'll be posting the precident on this forum.

This kind of treatment can not be legal.

I feel that this issue is bigger than me. I feel that I've got to do something about it.

If not me then who?

I think tommorrow I'll be contacting the Dept of labor. I am also going to try to get in touch with the ACLU (hard for a republican to even type those initials). I may not get the aswers I'd like to hear but I will get answers.

Does anyone else have any suggestions on what other agency or of a Law or precident that might be helpful in trying to end this abuse by Werner and other carriers.

Wish me luck!

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Keep the hammer down and the wheels on the pavement!