why ooida, why not the TEAMSTERS??

[RickG]

Originally Posted by already gone

wow, nothing like beleiving unsubstantiated claims by someone who obviously doesn't like unions. It's ok, I sort of figured instead of responding to my earlier comment, you would come back with something that has nothing to do with what we were already talking about. nothing like a witty "drive by" changing subjects.

Sort of figured you wouldn't respond to the fact that AIRBORNE EXPRESS was ALREADY union. DHL signed to the same basic contract, and you are telling me that since DHL bought out AIRBORNE, it was their FIRST contract? I'm sorry DHL might have had unrealistic expectations, but if DHL had any problems with delivery, it was the same reason they had problems MAKING MONEY!! #### management.

So the same basic contract signed several years later called for increases in wages of over $8 an hour over the term of the contract ? No point discussing it further . Point is those workers are jobless as are growing numbers of YRC Teamsters . BTW , you keep asking what not union members are doing on this forum . The forum isn't for the exclusive use of Teamsters . I believe they asked for and got a private group to have their one sided discussions .

[southernpride]

first of all im posting this because i made a post or thread or whatever they call it today about unions and as i expected i ruffeled a union members feathers.
first let me say I DONT CARE if your a union member me im not and wont ever be im an independent and will stay that way.
the difference between OOIDA and a UNION is that OOIDA is an ###. not a union an ###. can not organise a strike a strike it would be illegal a union can.
the union is out for the union period they think of the union and there members ONLY not of the industry or any body else if you dont pay dues o well to bad.
years ago i think in 73 we had a shut down and a large one we ask for the support of the union and you can guess the results they pretty much ignored us and sinch we have pretty much ignored the union.
i dont think you will find many independents that want much to do with the union.
now this very expeirenced driver commented that he didnt think i was doing as well as i say because i had joined a strike forum also. now what that has to do with the union i have no idea but as a matter of fact im guilty i did , i dont think things are wonderfull out here and i am of the firm beliefe that things could be a lot better and that drivers can make it happen NOT THE UNION. as far as how well im doing well i aint doing wonderfull by any means BUT i have 6 tractors and trailers and they all are parked and as a matter of fact they have all been sitting for about 7 weeks because i refuse to haul cheap freight can the union do that nope they just haul it no matter what it pays.
now this is not to start an argument ive learned a long time ago that arguing with the union is like feeding hay to a dead horse it dosent work they seem to have all the answers they can have there opinion but no ne else can have theres , so if you reply to this to get an argument you will get no answer or reply. i dont have all the answers just my own opinion.
EVERYONE MY BEST TO YA SOUTHERNPRIDE

[already gone]

Originally Posted by RickG

So the same basic contract signed several years later called for increases in wages of over $8 an hour over the term of the contract ? No point discussing it further . Point is those workers are jobless as are growing numbers of YRC Teamsters . BTW , you keep asking what not union members are doing on this forum . The forum isn't for the exclusive use of Teamsters . I believe they asked for and got a private group to have their one sided discussions .

Where in the HELL have I said THAT?? this is a truckers strike forum, all I'm ASKING is WHY you are on a STRIKE forum, if YOU don't support it. If you do NOT support it, then don't be on THIS forum.

What I have repeatedly asked you is why YOU are participating in a forum(truckers strike) that you evidently don't see the point of. If you DON'T support a strike, then dont be on THIS forum, it is very simple, AND it has nothing to do with being a Teamster or NOT.

So you think the point is workers are jobless? you seem to point the blame at the Teamsters. Tell that to Midstates drivers, or Path, or Jevic, or Priority. Tell that to the Schnieder drivers in Ontario who are losing their jobs at the end of the month because the COMPANY just decided it was pulling out of the rail.

Everyone loves to turn their back on the ONLY organization who has made MEANINGFUL gains for truck drivers. It's ok, as long as you keep turning your back, keep watching this industry circle the toilet bowl. Talk up the OOIDA, and watch the rates stay the same for another 30 years. Tell me you dont need the union, that you are independant. Last I checked, everyone STILL depends on someone else down the line, whether its a freight broker, dispatcher, or mechanic. You can and DO take their help, but when an union is there, that could help with pay, and benefits, you tell me you dont need it.

enjoy choking on all of your PRIDE.....

[RickG]

Originally Posted by already gone

Where in the HELL have I said THAT?? this is a truckers strike forum, all I'm ASKING is WHY you are on a STRIKE forum, if YOU don't support it. If you do NOT support it, then don't be on THIS forum.

What I have repeatedly asked you is why YOU are participating in a forum(truckers strike) that you evidently don't see the point of. If you DON'T support a strike, then dont be on THIS forum, it is very simple, AND it has nothing to do with being a Teamster or NOT.

So you think the point is workers are jobless? you seem to point the blame at the Teamsters. Tell that to Midstates drivers, or Path, or Jevic, or Priority. Tell that to the Schnieder drivers in Ontario who are losing their jobs at the end of the month because the COMPANY just decided it was pulling out of the rail.

Everyone loves to turn their back on the ONLY organization who has made MEANINGFUL gains for truck drivers. It's ok, as long as you keep turning your back, keep watching this industry circle the toilet bowl. Talk up the OOIDA, and watch the rates stay the same for another 30 years. Tell me you dont need the union, that you are independant. Last I checked, everyone STILL depends on someone else down the line, whether its a freight broker, dispatcher, or mechanic. You can and DO take their help, but when an union is there, that could help with pay, and benefits, you tell me you dont need it.

enjoy choking on all of your PRIDE.....

The staff has repeatedly told you anyone has the right to post on any forum and you have no right to tell anyone not to post . The purpose of a forum is to allow people to voice their opinions on issues . They will not agree but intelligent posts will give everyone a better understanding of the issue . The unions had their day . The economy has caused them to lose their effectiveness . Strikers gain nothing . They lose money getting strike pay then go back taking pay cuts and making concessions . Unless you can name one recent Teamster strike that resulted in increased pay and benefits your talk about union history is meaningless . THAT'S why I'm posting here . To quote more than one union official " Nobody wins in a strike " .

[roadkill439342]

Originally Posted by already gone

Why do company drivers join the OOIDA? I am not a member, and i don't know the specifics of it, but isn't it mainly for OWNER OPERATORS? Do they negotiate on behalf of owner operators directly , or is it more like a loose knit association, taking donations and issuing occasional press releases?

I have been noticing OOIDA stickers on Werner, Schnieder, Swift, Prime, JB Hunt trucks recently. And I read and watched and listened to a bunch of big company drivers talk about strikes in the last year.

You have no rights to strike if you are not union. the OOIDA is not a union. Havent they said that repeatedly? If you get a contract, you have the right to negotiate, as a democratic unit, and strike with real force, because you are no longer an at will employee, and the employer's HAVE to negotiate in good faith. If they do not, then it is an automatic NLRB unfair labor practices charge.

I know companies in the last 20 years have lobbied like hell to take away workers rights, such as allowing permanent replacements, and allowing double breasting(starting a non union side of the company and growing that, giving all the work to the non union side and starving out the union side), but even with those problems, you are left in a much BETTER position with a union contract backing you, instead of a small, unknown to the average person, association.

If you want to run a successful strike, and if you REALLY want to improve your conditions, wouldn't you want to gain them through a LEGALLY binding contract? As long as you are an at will employee, If you participate in any of these strikes for better conditions you can be fired. You will have no recourse, and the NLRB will not be able to help you.

Why does the OOIDA not start working with the Teamsters Union? Without a solid legal backing, it seems the OOIDA is merely making suggestions.

The Teamsters already work with the longshoremen and they have taken over the rails. So it is not like they aren't willing to form a partnership to better the conditions of workers.

I am not saying that everyone should lobby to turn their truckload carrier into an LTL carrier, but it help everyone if one or more of the big 6 or 7 carriers signed onto the USF Glen Moore contract. It is a good contract, and it would definetly help out anyone currently on the road in a sleeper cab truck.

Hell, it couldn't even be THAT hard for Schnieder drivers, if they wanted to get loud enough, they STILL have a contract in Milwaukee for their Schnieder Transport drivers, if enough National drivers got together and called up Milwaukee's local, I would bet that they could RE-OPEN that contract.

OOIDA is a ASSOCIATION and NOT a "UNION". AFAIC, OOIDA is in it only for the money they can get, they occasionally help out a group or "class" of drivers, but get screwed by one of OOIDA's advertizers, you're on your own.

[roadkill439342]

Originally Posted by already gone

Successful teamster strikes are harder because of big companies that charge cut throat rates by paying their drivers substandard wages and keeping them in the trucks for weeks on end. However, you asked when the last time there was a SUCCESSFUL strike, not a successful TEAMSTER strike.

But, you didn't answer my earlier question, if you don't beleive in a stike, why be on this forum at all? and if you do support it, why not go with an organization that is equipped to handle a stike? The OOIDA will back out of any disruption you guys have planned, they are ALMOST as useful as the ATA.

The OOIDA has stated that it is NOT a union, and it did NOT support the trucker stikes. Why support them then? what is the point, what is it, a fan club for trucking?? It sounds about as legitamate as TVC Pro Driver, you pay money for a few window stickers and nothing else. no benefits, no contract, no negotiations, nothing.

Wake up, and realize there is ONE organization looking out for truckers, and stop trying to turn your back on them because YOU dont think they are winning. If you think they are on the wrong track, why not join and try and change it??

Instead i hear a bunch of monday morning quarterbacks, talking about how the teamsters have lost, they are all gone. WELL THAN TRY AND CHANGE IT, because there is NO other organization with real power.

You want to see how much power the OOIDA has? ask your boss if he cares if you join. He won't care, and probably doesnt't even know what the OOIDA does.

You want to see how much power the Teamsters have? ask your boss if he cares if the employee's go join the Teamsters. He will throw a fit and probably try and fire you.

If you can't negotiate your own wages and benefits, you should just stay on the porch.

[roadkill439342]

Originally Posted by already gone

Where in the HELL have I said THAT?? this is a truckers strike forum, all I'm ASKING is WHY you are on a STRIKE forum, if YOU don't support it. If you do NOT support it, then don't be on THIS forum.

What I have repeatedly asked you is why YOU are participating in a forum(truckers strike) that you evidently don't see the point of. If you DON'T support a strike, then dont be on THIS forum, it is very simple, AND it has nothing to do with being a Teamster or NOT.

So you think the point is workers are jobless? you seem to point the blame at the Teamsters. Tell that to Midstates drivers, or Path, or Jevic, or Priority. Tell that to the Schnieder drivers in Ontario who are losing their jobs at the end of the month because the COMPANY just decided it was pulling out of the rail.

Everyone loves to turn their back on the ONLY organization who has made MEANINGFUL gains for truck drivers. It's ok, as long as you keep turning your back, keep watching this industry circle the toilet bowl. Talk up the OOIDA, and watch the rates stay the same for another 30 years. Tell me you dont need the union, that you are independant. Last I checked, everyone STILL depends on someone else down the line, whether its a freight broker, dispatcher, or mechanic. You can and DO take their help, but when an union is there, that could help with pay, and benefits, you tell me you dont need it.

enjoy choking on all of your PRIDE.....

So, let me get this straight??
We are only "allowed" to post in this THREAD if we agree there should be a strike??
We aren't ALLOWED to post an OPPOSING view?
Sounds like the DEMOCRATS have been marching thru your brain a bit too long.

[already gone]

sounds like someone DOESN'T understand what a troll is. This is NOT about being a Teamster, its about being in a forum for a topic that you don't support, and trying to oppose the whole point of the forum. I don't go into gun control, environmental, or religious forums for the same reason, people would NOT like my opinions.

BUT, when you are in the truckers STRIKE forum, I won't put up with your petty insults, although i will stay on the porch, because I GO HOME TO THE PORCH!!! I will gladly stay on the porch and invite everyone else to strike to gain benefits and home time as well, because at this point, it won't hurt.

If you refuse to work for the #### wages that they are paying, and demand better home time and pay, they WILL listen. Drivers ALREADY did this once, why do you think the NATIONAL MASTER FREIGHT CONTRACT brought truck drivers into the middle class?

It happened once, IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. We don't need anyone's help, all truck drivers need to do is to HELP themselves. STRIKE the #### companies and lets see how long they put up with losing money. And JOIN the union, a strike has no power if you have no labor contract to back it up, as long as you are an AT-WILL employee, you are screwed. If you have a contract, you are not an AT-WILL employee. You are a CONTRACTOR, with LEGAL rights under a contract.

Get a CONTRACT, don't give me that asskisser attitude that you can negotiate your OWN contract, because you CAN'T. You have NO power on your own, hiring ONE more driver is EASY, hiring thousands of drivers is HARD.

[eckz]

Originally Posted by JasonTheRock

I agree with you there.

Makes me wonder if the union would have told DHL: hey, your losing 700 mil a year, our members will take a pay cut, pension cut, and pay more in health insurance (instead of demanding more pay and more pension $$); Would I still have a job with DHL??????

If DHL couldn't run a business it's not the drivers fault, WHY should the drivers be the first to take pay cuts while management (who puts teh company into the mess to begin with) continues to collect six figures and bonuses? This is what I don't understand about the pro union types.. It goes the same for these government bail outs.. Listen you have a trillion dollar company here and you are going under? That's YOUR stupidity, eff off buddy.

Is the cost of groceries going down? Nope. So why should we have to take pay cuts because someone was careless? It's not the drivers fault the business was ran irresponsibly, is it?

So big deal, if you do organize a union and your company closes, migrate, like nomads, to the next company, and organize a union.. If they close because they are greedy then move on to the next one.. Soon enough freight rates will be sky high and the slimeball companies will all go under.. Ofcourse this is in a perfect world where people all have money in the bank to live on, I do understand that it's not realistic.

Unions have their problems. I've worked for both union and non union outfits, and it's a roll of the dice. I will say that most of the problems in today's world that the pro union people blame on the unions can easily be reverted back to the non union companies in terms of competition and wage undercutting etc. Which is the entire point of unions wanting to do business with other unions, but that doesn't work when there are so many people willing to work for peanuts these days.

Just my two cents.