and if you feel that way - and do nothing to change it - you have the option of working for a non union company.

very easy decision.

I highly recommend that any Teamster not happy evaluate why - and move on to a non union job.

(most want to ##### - but remain for the pay and bennies.)

I think a big problem is that the guys who will complain, are the ones who want things to be the way they always were, who want to have their heads in the sand to what is happening in the workplace today. Just like when you were making the argument that 15% now is better than 100% later, there were people saying, "We gave up too much already." Now, my experience was that many people who didn't like some of the union tactics and policies, never went to meetings, or talked to union bosses. They are no different than politicians. If nobody makes noise, they will do what they want. So you better let them know you don't like something. Otherwise, accept your fate as a dormat.

I did try to change it, actually really tried hard. The officials that went into office here, got in because they were popular not because they were the right people for the office. And the BA's were an embarressment to the Teamsters. Try calling the office for something... You would have been better off trying fo call Mars.
Rest assured that I for one didn't ###, did remain for the pay because I have a family. Beenies? LOL now you are dating yourself.

I dont do any posts on this thread to be verbally beat up or abused. I post what my personal opinion is and I have a right to do that as well as the next person. As you well know, opinions are like azzzz holes, everyone has one...

__________________
You have to do what you love to do, not get stuck in that comfort zone of a regular job.
Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it...
Lucinda Basset

"always was or always were" is gone. It's a new day and anyone who doesnt realize it has, as you said, their head in the sand.
I was not complaining, I was stating an opinion. Be it right or wrong, I still think it is the job, and responsibility of anyone who takes an office for whatever posistion in the Teamsters or any other union, to do the job they are getting PAID for. Those people were elected to better help both the worker and the company. I doubt most of you won't agree with that but that's how I feel. I believe if the worker is right thats all well and good, represent that person. If the company is right, work towards a solution that everyone can live with.

__________________
You have to do what you love to do, not get stuck in that comfort zone of a regular job.
Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it...
Lucinda Basset

if you are thin skinned enough to feel that I "verbally beat you up" - then you will really enjoy what some of the other members have to say to you.


- and you really think you did not have a generous benefit package?

show me another trucking job anywhere with better insurance or better retirement.

The bottom line is the Union did what it thought was best for the membership.
Unions are political and businesses like in their operations whether or not Union members are willing to admit those facts.

Many of you are too young to remember Union tactics such as "Strong Arming".
My step-dad worked for a contractor back in the 60's who went bankrupt and closed the gates. The unions were pizzed since no notice was given and no "payout" was given to the unions......to put it succinctly...Long Beach P.D. and L.A. County Sheriff had to be called out in full riot gear....the Teamsters had bats and some members were carrying firearms.....

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A Patriot's Dream Come True.......Beauty, Brains, And Conservative......

Obama and Company: Step aside and let the adults take Charge.......Playtime is over.....

I never met a member that did not realize the Union was a political force - and had to be run a such...

as for the Biz - end of the day will tell you that when dealing with gazzilions of dollars you have to have the Biz sense to run things right.

At least you get it...some people think Unions are a "Care pack".

Business can be dirty work sometimes and that requires some tough people who aren't afraid of fighting back.

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A Patriot's Dream Come True.......Beauty, Brains, And Conservative......

Obama and Company: Step aside and let the adults take Charge.......Playtime is over.....

I always cringe when I hear people say the Teamsters heirarchy does not care about the rank and file...

if that was the case - we would be making Swift wages - and buying our own insurance every week... and the only hope of retirement would be from any funds we sat aside ourselves.


anyway - as the topic goes on...


Tactics and politics aside - many have said this is extortion - and yet they do not see that maneuvering like this is common in everyday US biz - and politics..

i.e. -

US to Turkey in 1991 - "either you aloow us to fly over - or we cut aid.."

walmart to MANY manufacturers - " sell to us for this amount - or miss out on the largest market EVER"

I think perhaps that you may have taken my statement not as it was meant to be taken. It wasn't meant to be directed toward you. I don't apoligize for saying it, thats how I feel.
Maybe your local is better than the one here. I don't know. I could go into a lot of things that don't mean a hill of beans. Like the way the members' money has been spent or the locals who sold their members to other locals, the list is endless. How about the time many years ago when the Teamsters supposedly had stock in RIver Downs Race Track right in your back yard.
I know you're upset with what's happened to you and your company, if you had ever read any of my other posts you would realize that I sympathise. I was with a company that shut down. Its devastating to have to wait and wait to see if you even have a job to go to tomorrow or the next day. I would imagine you have a lot of years service and are wondering what you're going to do IF there is a cutback or God forbid a shutdown. We lived a long time wondering so I do understand. Don't think I don't.
This isnt a thread to attack each other, it's a thread to say what we think about the union. Nothing more nothing less.
I didnt say that you verbally beat me up. If thats how you took it, so be it.
The generous benefit package? For some, yes it is. Due to an injury, two days before the shutdown, that meant never going back to work as a driver, here's what we found out. When we started checking into things, the company hadnt been comtributing to health and welfare for almost over a year. No ability to work and no insurance. No union dues had been paid in months either. Not one driver or dockworker there knew it. had to take an early retirement, there is a check that comes to the house for just a little over $600 a month. No benefits come with that. Had there been the ability to work one more year, it would have been well over a thousand plus per month. No complaints, it was found money and that's better than nothing.
During the time of employment yes the wage and insurance was great. Worked for every dime that was received too. I believe that everyone who works is deserving of a days pay for an honest days work.
Me and my family sincerely wish you luck and good fortune in the days to come. This post isnt intended to be bitter, its just stating facts. The union didnt take care of us when it came to our jobs, we did, because we worked for what we were given. The rest was frosting on the cake.
Again, good luck...

__________________
You have to do what you love to do, not get stuck in that comfort zone of a regular job.
Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it...
Lucinda Basset