The Intermodal industry for the Independent Owner-Operators need to be unionized. There's these companies like OIX, Horizon Freight Systems, DDI, Comtrack, Red Bird Carriers, all in Kansas City, Missouri ripping owner-operators off of $85.00 and more a week for cargo liability insurance. As if we don't have enough expenses to keep our business above the red line. We have to pay for scaling loads, running on turnpikes (when that's the most convenient route) to deliver. Replacing or reparing flats on the containers chassis when the tires were defective to begin with. That's the big ripoff in the Intermodal industry. Also some of the containers are overloaded and the owner operator should receive a premium cost for delivering it. Workers in the transportation industry need to wake up and get their priorities in order. Truck repair costs doesn't go down. $95.00 and hour and up plus the cost of parts can put a dent in your earnings to the truck, not to mention truck payments and expensive fuel costs. All owner-operators should be getting at least a $1.10 per mile plus fuel surcharge. Should also get reimbursed for scaling loads and running turnpikes and no insurance charge backs

Nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you work there.

Yeah!
I would tend to agree with that statement Redneck.

I'm not alone in thinking Unions are useless.


Union Membership, 1930 - 2003

for the second time, tom, that graph reflects the decrease in manufacturing jobs and increase in service jobs.

Halay looya! for the Unions!

Only fools and management dislike unions. People that have ethics.

Ronnocomot,

It is evident that you do not like Unions at all. That is fine by me. The Union works for the majority of us but not all. According to your sig, you state that you are "in the industry". I am just curious as to what part you play in this industry? Please be specific so we can understand the direction you are coming from. As for myself, I am just a driver trying to do the best I can for my family and the company. Thank you.

Drive safe

In my case this does not happen. The union is there to back the employees so that they get their allocated benefits, work hours, safe and harrassment free work place. No one is out to tell our employer how to run their business. Its a partnership, and both parties (the Union and employees plus the management) work together to have a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is not.

You are correct in saying this Ronno, but why should you have to leave a company because you are being treated unfairly? Is it not sometimes a tactic, to make someones life miserable until they quit? There is always a solution, and the unions offer people who are insecure to stand up for themselves in the face of management an option to fight back. I dont see anything wrong with it. We are still free to leave, but the low turnover where I work obviously indicates that its a good work environment.

Well, IMHO the employer needs to offer the employee a work place that is safe, free from harrassment, and obviously a paycheck that at least reflects what the person does for the company.

You are correct in what you say here, except, indirectly they are interested in how the conpany functions. The union workers are protected and taken care of as long as the company is profitable and moving in the right direction. A union is not out to break a company for their own financial gain. (And if there are examples from the past, maybe it was one person and not the union that took the stance?)

So right again. I saw a company go from non-union to employee share based, and it is remarkable the change in attitude of 90% of the employees. However, failing finding a company like this, IMO a union company (with the right connection between management and the union workers) is a close second.

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Then you should be happy that we are paying our union dues so you can get your share of our hard earned money!
Hey guys, we are paying Ronnos wages!

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