Is it better to work for a union??? - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Johnnb · **^ Top** #1 07.23.2007

Hello:

I have a question? As a new driver is it beneficial to work for a trucking company with a union or one that does not have one? Does a union affect how much money a driver can make? What are the positives and negatives of union membership? For exmple, I know drivers who are part of the teamsters? What are the benefits of being part of that union? Also are there companies out there that offer training to new drivers and offer union membership?

John

Pete_379X · **^ Top** #2 07.23.2007

It can keep you out of trouble for the most part. Harassment from higher ups stop. But if your union doesn't have the power to strike. Then its not much of any good when you want to get something changed. I was in a union, it helped out some. All the office personel hated me after i joined and tried to make work hell for me.. but I brushed it off and smiled about it. Made them even more mad.. which means I won. We didn't hav ethe power to strike though and it made everything kind of hard. Unions aren't what they used to be... but they still help.

mntnnic · **^ Top** #3 07.27.2007

yep, ALWAYS BETTER. heres why.
your wage is much more,insurance better and free or close to it,seniority rules,job security,no favoritism,payed for EVERY IMAGINABLE THING(no surprise unpaid downtime),paid sick days, if dispatch screws up you still get paid,pension. SOLID RAISES EVERY YEAR WHETHER YOU WORK OR NOT. drawbacks : slow trucks,umm.....thats all.
jimmy hoffa and the teamsters forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ronnocomot · **^ Top** #4 07.27.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntnnic

yep, ALWAYS BETTER. heres why.
your wage is much more,

Yeah, those high union wages did allot for U.S. automakers, textile workers.

Quote:

insurance better and free or close to it,

Won't be so nice when its taken away

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seniority rules,

Yeah, let the new guy do it. I'm still having my donut.

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job security,

Again, see auto union workers, textile workers, Air Traffic Controllers

Quote:

no favoritism,

Yeah, ok

Quote:

payed for EVERY IMAGINABLE THING(no surprise unpaid downtime),

There should be no "surprises" for anybody

Quote:

paid sick days, if dispatch screws up you still get paid, pension.

Pensions won't last.

Quote:

SOLID RAISES EVERY YEAR WHETHER YOU WORK OR NOT.

Whether you work or not, that in a one sentence statement is why unions are dying.

Quote:

drawbacks : slow trucks,umm.....thats all.
jimmy hoffa and the teamsters forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep living in your union filled dream world.

Pete_379X · **^ Top** #5 07.28.2007

Eh, should've been a quote...

Pete_379X · **^ Top** #6 07.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntnnic

yep, ALWAYS BETTER. heres why.
your wage is much more,insurance better and free or close to it,seniority rules,job security,no favoritism,payed for EVERY IMAGINABLE THING(no surprise unpaid downtime),paid sick days, if dispatch screws up you still get paid,pension. SOLID RAISES EVERY YEAR WHETHER YOU WORK OR NOT. drawbacks : slow trucks,umm.....thats all.
jimmy hoffa and the teamsters forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All of that is untrue with the union I held cards to. I'm not going to argue about it.

Twocycle · **^ Top** #7 07.28.2007

I was a CF driver, nine years. If you get written up a few times for mistakes, minor things, they can fire you, or make life hard on you. Our local wouldn't do #### to help. So, some locals are good and some are ####.

Truck Vet · **^ Top** #8 07.28.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twocycle

I was a CF driver, nine years. If you get written up a few times for mistakes, minor things, they can fire you, or make life hard on you. Our local wouldn't do #### to help. So, some locals are good and some are ####.

+1. You really can't generalize about it. You need to look at
the company, and the terminel manager, not just the Union.

highirish · **^ Top** #9 07.30.2007

I learned everything I needed to about unions when I picked up a few loads in a unionized factory. They were not in any hurry to help me and didnt care If I waited all day to get loaded. It seems to me that union workers lost all of the work ethics and pride that they should have. I think all you have to say is GM...when considering a union.

MACK E-6 · **^ Top** #10 08.05.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntnnic

yep, ALWAYS BETTER. heres why.
your wage is much more,

Not necessarily. If I went to the union here it would mean a $3 an hour pay cut.

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