Why a strike won't work for YOU

[buck and a half]

Yep all in the specs up to a certain point anyway.

[Carolina_Beaver_Teaser]

Originally Posted by PortlandDriver

This is true of most of the unions, if the economy is bad and the company is looking at forclosure the union will demand more money..

Look at what happened to CF, they were 100% union and the company was strangled to death...

CF wasn't strangled by the union, go back and look, the profits were taken from CF and put into the companies NON Union outfit, Con - Way. Draining the company, and then they were kinda caught with their pants down, after Enron, when the FTC made all publicly traded companies disclose all financials.
Very, sad. Kinda miss seeing ole corn flake out there, they had a bunch of good truckers!!

[Carolina_Beaver_Teaser]

Originally Posted by Sportsoutlaw

Strike won't work, because there is no union, but there is SO MUCH that can be done, if drivers, and others concerned about the industry, would just do it.

1. Run legal - And I MEAN run legal. When you are sitting at the shipper or receiver, or doing your paperwork, log it on duty. Don't fudge it in order to show a break at any time.
2. Do your research and vote - And this doesn't mean the big Presidential election. Vote for all offices in your voting district, at every election possible. Know where the small time politicians stand on issues and do your part to help them advance, or get them out of office before they get into the corrupt big government positions.
3. BE VOCAL - I have said this in a few other threads here. When something is happening that affects the industry in a negative way, do what you can to stop it. Just complainin on a message board, or on the CB isn't the answer. Getting the word out on message boards and such does help, but you have to take it farther. Don't hesitate to use the media to your advantage. (if you are afraid of losing your job, get a family member to speak for you)
4. Be a Positive Influence on the Trucking Industry - There are many great drivers out there, but sadly, there are too many out there that don't give a rat's rear about anyone but themselves. They throw there trash out on the ground at the truck stop because walking 40 feet to the trash can is too much work. (REPORT THESE PEOPLE). Unsafe drivers is another example. When you see another trucker tailgating a 4 wheeler or another truck simply to intimidate them to get out of the way, REPORT THEM. We don't need these jerks out there giving all of the drivers a bad reputation. And I know, a call here and there is going to do nothing. But a group effort will result in a pattern of calls, and at that point, safety departments will step in and do something. And you can bet that we we talk about how too many truckers wont unite to improve things, the majority of those that wont unite are probably these worthless scumbags that are out there giving us a bad name.

#4 is a real pet peeve of mine. Industry pay is far too low for the job that is required of a responsible truck driver. As long as the responsible drivers continue to turn their heads and ignore the scumbags that drive with you on the interstates, the pay will continue to be low because companies will continue to be able to bring in people who simply don't care.

AN EXCELLENT & REALISTIC Post!!! # 3 & #4 are both pet peeves to me.

[Lucky142]

Originally Posted by Tip

Here's another theory to get the hornet's nest buzzing:

A trucker's strike will never work today. At least not for YOU, the present driver.

Here's why:

Too many CDL holders.

Sure, every driver holds a CDL, but what about the "other" bunch, those who have CDLs but don't use them? This group is pretty big, I'd bet. You can not overlook them. I'll go out on a limb to get you guys talking and say there are TWO CDLs held by non-drivers for every CDL held by an actual driver. I don't really know what it is. I'll just say TWO.

Some of these non-drivers don't drive anymore because they are "holding out" waiting for pay rates to increase and some aggravating issues in trucking to be finally resolved.

A strike COULD, theoretically, bring higher pay and resolve those issues. But reality would be different, at least for YOU, the current driver. See, if you guys go on strike, you'll probably lose your jobs like the air-traffic controllers did back in the early 80s. I mean, the president isn't going to fire you. He'll just order you back to work. If you don't comply, the companies will then be able to fire you. An example will be made of you, absolutely.

But.......Who will take your place?

Who do you think? The holders of CDLs who haven't driven in some cases decades. Like my uncle from Michigan who hasn't driven a truck in 20 years but has kept his license all this time (I wonder if it's a CDL or a Chauffer's? I've not asked him). He's got like 20 years driving experience with no accidents that I know of.

He's holding out, but don't think he'll sit on the fence if things improve, no sir. He will come running like a wild cow kicking up his heels if a strike took pay to 60 cents per mile on average, you'd better believe it. I'd probably be joining him, too. Maybe my uncle would land YOUR job.

Yeah, you would go on strike, make all the sacrifices to make it work, and even get pay rates increased. Maybe you'd even finally get paid to sit at docks hours and hours and hours while you wait to be loaded. The only problem is, you wouldn't enjoy it, at least not for long, if at all. Somebody else will. That somebody else would take your place and reap the benefits of your sacrifices and hard work. Smart move.

No, we don't have to worry about a truckers' strike in the foreseeable future. There are far too many CDLs out there held by folks who've not set foot in a truck in years. Perhaps that is exactly what trucking companies want, though. A whole bunch of people sitting around with CDLs not driving. They act as a collective "guard dog" against strikes.

But this is all speculation.

What happens if a strike does occur, pay goes through the roof, and the non-driver CDL holders land in the suddenly great-paying trucking jobs? A new equilibrium would be reached, and wages wouldn't remain high for long. After all, there'd be a whole new pool of non-driving CDL holders around dragging down pay, and YOU might be one of them.

What do you think? Could a strike work today?

I am a driver who quit in 2003 because of the Greed of corporate, graft and corruption of Federal and State Governments.

I will tell you why a Strike will never work. It is because drivers will not organize. Every single driver should be paying a visit to their local Teamsters and signing up, but they should inform the Teamsters they have six months to go to bat for the drivers of this country or no more dues.

When Hoffa was taken down by Bobby Kennedy and later murdered, the Teamsters were on the way out, but at the time they were very powerful and Hoffa was the reason life was looking really good at the time.

There can be no middle class if the Upper Class and Government will not allow it.

Yes, I still have a CDL and I miss the highway, but I won't go back under the present circumstances.

You want to see how powerful Organization can be? Everyone spread the word and get the ball rolling before January 1, 2008 with a deadline for the Teamsters to get to work for the Union by June 1, 2008.

One more thing, I would not worry about losing a job because of a nationwide shut down. There is still a driver shortage based on the facts recruiting is always a busy job. Now, my time is almost up for driving as I approach retirement and likewise for many others holding CDL's so don't fall for this bunk of losing your jobs like Air Traffic Controllers. This is an all together different ball game.

If you want something bad enough, you have to fight for it; even if it means getting in a mixing it up with those who would be against you. What is your alternative? More of the same and life will never change. Like Benjamin Franklin stated in Poor Richard's Almanac, "No Pain, No Gain!"

TEAM=TOGETHER EQUALLY AMBITIOUS MANAGEMENT - Organization will place more than bread and water on the tables of families in this country.

[Lucky142]

Originally Posted by Tip

I know you're right, 168. I've got the dreamer's disease, though.

Yeah, I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm also a coiled cobra ready to strike. If all drivers thought like I do, the trucks would be stopped five minutes from now. And I mean EVERY truck would be stopped, presidential orders be damned.

But what if drivers DID come together and go on strike? Wouldn't it be great? I'd go to the nearest truck stop, take a look at all the parked rigs, and you'd see tears in my eyes for sure. This in spite of the fact I don't even have a CDL anymore.

I will be 61 shortly and almost too old to go back out on the Highway, but I say to anyone who wants to see a middle class back in this country needs to do something now.

Every driver should approach their local Teamsters Union and tell them they want to see action within six months, if they sign up and get others to come in.

Make December a record month for joining a union with the purpose of forcing the Union to go to bat for the hard working men and women of this country. Otherwise, there will be no more middle class here in the US. It is all but gone right now.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmond Burke (200 years ago)

[Lucky142]

Originally Posted by Carolina_Beaver_Teaser

AN EXCELLENT & REALISTIC Post!!! # 3 & #4 are both pet peeves to me.

There is a Union! I have never belonged because after Hoffa, I felt Unions were worthless. However, if everyone starts talking Union and visiting their Local Teamsters, and making a point to let them know action is expected; things could start moving back to looking like the middle class may have a chance to come back.

Don't organize and nothing will ever happen. Join the Teamsters. Join the OOIDA and voice your needs, wants and opinions.

Crybabies make lot of noise and have lots of tears.

What is the alternative?

[redrocker1055]

A strike will never work because you have to many guys out here with family's to support, and they know that and hold it over them. A strik may happen in small union's but never nation wide, there is just to many of us
that would have to agree. just look at all that dissagre in this thread alone..i think i have proven my point.

[n4mgr]

It is time a group of us goes to Washington and DEMAND fair pay according to the FLSA and Motor Carrier Act. These laws need to be revised to reflect modern day trucking. Only then will freight rates come up and drivers pay for hours worked not driving. Also, We need to demand fair rules to be written by the FMCSA which reflect a true concern for drivers health(which the 2005 rules do not) and remove the 14 hr provision. More drivers are driving tired today because the are penalized for stopping to take a nap. This MUST stop and if we don't act, CRASH and PATT will win a game that will spell disaster for us and the US. They don't care about us, its all about money.

[Lucky142]

Originally Posted by redrocker1055

A strike will never work because you have to many guys out here with family's to support, and they know that and hold it over them. A strik may happen in small union's but never nation wide, there is just to many of us
that would have to agree. just look at all that disagree in this thread alone..i think i have proven my point.

A strike will never happen because too many keep saying it will never happen. Negative + a Negative is still a Negative.

That is why there must be leadership and that is why I suggested everyone get everyone else headed toward the Teamsters Union Hall in their home town.

The more people want and need a life, the more willing they will be to follow and do something. However, most are not hungry enough yet.

[Truckerjo]

Well A have always said no need to park the trucks and strike but all we would need to do is "SLOW DOWN TO THE MIN SPEED ALLOWED IN THAT STATE" for about a week...

Picture this....
We all know what happens when people begin to rubber neck no matter if it is in the city or open interstate... WE ALL pretty much come to a stop...
Thus slowing everybody down... This way "every trucker" can participate and not lose their job and still make enough money to make do for the week (or two)... Company may yell a little at ya but what can you do if that's the fastest you can go because everybody else is going that speed..

Freight would be late thus making shelves get empty... ext... Not to mention every city in America would have a huge problem with people being late for work...

Simply keep this up and we would get noticed that we are not going to take it anymore and they need to start opening their eyes...

Far as people who do not drive that have cdl's... well for one they would have to quit their jobs to drive a truck.. most companies still require current experience... (insurance reason and the insurance company is not going to cut them any slack...) They would have to pay them more then what they are currently paying us because well they left the trucking industry for some reason already correct?