Why a strike won't work for YOU

[MO family man]

So we need to get organized. Well I'm a little busy herding cats this week but when I get them all moving together I get right on the truck drivers.

[md1967]

Originally Posted by JOHNNYBRAVO

If every single trruck driver out there who drives OTR, and not local, were to go on strike for better wages and better working conditions including waiting pay, and fair and realistic HOS rules. It would work. The reason it realistically wouldn't work, is because in real life, every truck driver out there wouldn't wouldn't partake in it.





That's the reason the guys on the sidelines wouldn't drive while a trucker's strike is going on. They know and understand the merits of a trucker's strike. Those guys (And I'm including myself in this category) would be right there with the striking driver knowing and understanding exactly why he's doing what he's doing. In my opinion the striking driver is doing what he should have done a long time ago.






I have to disagree with you on this point. I can't speak for you and your uncle, but I can speak for myself. If I know that freight pay is suddenly going up to try to punish truck drivers who are sacrificing for better working conditions and better pay, which I think we all can agree are deserved and lacking in this industry, there is no way I would hinder their efforts, and anybody who would, I would look upon as a piece of #### in this hypothetical situation. If working truck drivers and CDL holders sitting on on their licenses got together to make a strike work, I'd love to see companies move their freight with drivers coming straight out of trucking schools and CDL mills, with no trainers in those cabs. It's not that easy to SAFELY move a truck from point A to B. Just knowing how to fuel is something that must be learned. Yeah, let's suspend the HOS rules and jeopardize public safety, cuzz it takes a newbie longer to get the freight there.



I think the implication here, is that as soon as they can find a replacement for you, you're out of there. NO. By going on strike and showing your unity, that shows companies and the government, that they can't pull chickenshit stuff like that. That's why strikes work.




No, they wouldn't take my place. They'd be there with me, thanking me for the sacrifices I made to give them better working conditions.









Yes, it's all speculation, except that in my speculation, Truck drivers and CDL holders are sticking together. CLD holders aren't waiting to jump into bed with big companies and the government to spit on and keep our fellow drivers oppressed and disrespected. I don't believe they'd be willing to cut out the legs from under someone who they know is doing the right thing. I would look at it as an us against them situation and would choose to side with the truck driver. I know God's on his side.




If wages are good, and working conditions are fair, morale in the industry would go up and there would be less turnover and less need for inexperienced drivers. I believe a lot of people that tried driving and quit driving would be there striking with the working driver. I think they quit driving because the conditions and wages sucked for them. If they see truck drivers are finally doing something about it, after the strike is resolved, then they'd be willing to drive again under the conditions they and their brother drivers sacrificed for. But maybe at 36 years of age, I'm still taking a naive view on human nature. Maybe you're right and most people with CDLs would only look out for themselves and would help derail the efforts of the driver, like vultures jumping on a carcass, or hyenas cannibalizing an injured member of the pack. Maybe most CDL holders only see the short term and can face themselves in the mirror knowing EXACTLY why drivers would be taking a stand, but siding with the enemy. It's like during the war of independence, you had your Patriots, and you had your Loyalists, your Paul Reveres and your Benedict Arnolds. Like you wrote earlier, it's all speculation.




Yes a strike would work if everyone partakes.

yes it will work... look at what they did in Argentina... just have to do is all...

[Lucky142]

Originally Posted by md1967

yes it will work... look at what they did in Argentina... just have to do is all...

I watched what happened in Argentina when their currency fell. I also watched when the Mexican Paso fell, and I have been watching our own currency as it has been trashed by our debtor system.

All the while, for many years, I drove truck and was an Owner Operator in an industry where the majority can not afford to keep up their home expenses and some must have income from the wifes paycheck to maintain a truck on the road.

Sad it is and I don't see it getting any better. Strike? I always sat it out when someone called one, but the majority never hear about it or just don't follow.

This is why I have been in the Home Base Business industry now for three and a half years. I stay home and make more money. However, I could go back to work on the road now with a real income to back me.

Yes, I do what others will never do so I can have what others will never have and I do it legally.

Capitalist? Yes! The other alternatives are Communism and Socialism and they are not alternatives.

Now, that does not mean I am preaching business here because I spend no time on this forum simply because most people are not interested in the first place and all I see are complainers rather than those who will get off their back sides and do for themselves.

Trucking Industry? Well, I loved driving truck but I hated being an Asset provider so someone else could get rich while I struggled.

I do appreciate all you boys and girls delivering my tooth past though. I would not know what to do without all of you taking care of my needs.

Best wishes,

Lucky

[Devil Woman]

I do not think a strike is what we need. I feel that if everyone would just take a weeks vacation and spend time with your family instead of supporting the Oil Companies, that would work better.
We are trying to oraganize a Nationwide Truckers Vacation in PROTEST OF THE RISING FUEL PRICES starting May 1, 2008. YOU can make a difference! Park your truck and car and DO NOT BUY ANY FUEL OF ANY KIND FOR ONE WEEK. SEE WHAT HAPPENS!!
COME JOIN US!!!!!!

[Highballin]

Originally Posted by trucker_author

I hate to tell you "Tip" but all those older cdl holders are just holding on to a way out of the house for when the old lady gets to them too much. Many of those who hold cdl's who are not driving have went back to a regular license, due to the state's greed. The states of this nation have over taxed the cdl license so no one wants to pay $100 to $160 dollars when it comes time to renew. And many who do hold on to them cannot pass the physical required by the FMCSA.
With those who have held on to them and those who can pass the physical you may have about 1 non truck driver who holds a cdl per 50 truck drivers who are driving now. Now add in those who can hold a haz-mat legally, that is very few. Or who can pass a background check and have the recent (1 year exp. in the last 3 years) and you limit it even more. And Mr. Tip, your uncle who hasnt driving in several years, well he would be considered to be a student driver as it stands now days with current/recent experience. So no, he would not get 60cpm instead maybe 17 to 28 cpm.
Would a trucker strike work, hell yes it would. If 45% of the reefer and tanker drivers stop for five days, the country would drop to her knees. In three days or less most towns will be without food from the people stockpiling and the gas stations will go dry. And that is at less than half of the trucks stopping for three days. NYC, ATL, STL, LA, Chicago, all have less than a three day supply of food. I drive for Wal-Mart Frozen Foods division, and if we did not have a supply daily our warehouse would go dry in two days. Think about it...
I have been a truck driver since March of 1991 and a trainer since 1997. The book that I am working on now will be out in late summer. This book will be about all of this and it will show how the FMCSA can make an hours of service that will work and drivers will enforce theirselves. It will also show why truckers are to the brink of a strike and the services we give to our companies that we are not paid for.
Yes, all of us should strike. All drivers should be paid as Wal-Mart and some of the elite trucking company drivers are paid, by the hour or higher per mile pay and paid while in the bunk, basically from the time they step into that truck til the time they exit to go home. UPS, FEDEX, Wal-Mart can do it, then why cant other companies? Simple, they know that people like "tip" will divide those who want to strike and end it before it begins.
Well, my book will show why trucks are wrecking, why it is more of the fault of the FMCSA and what can be done to stop it. Mr. Tip, I am going further than the strike step, I am taking it to the American public and what is revealed might scare the hell out of them, but it will be the truth and will make them write to their politicians to force them to take action. It will show what can be done to limit the accidents and enforce the hours of service with a way that truckers will love, companies will hate, and our wives will adore....... The title, "America's Sweatshop, what you dont know can Kill you"
D H Hamm

Well all this is correct.Pres.cannot force non union and some union drivers to workBut what do I know with only 33 yrs.exsp.Someone knows everything with just 3 yrs.

[allikatzpop]

a strike will not work because there are too many people afraid of their jobs and there are too many cutthroats out there.the solution is RUN LEGAL. when the log book says stop,STOP the freight can wait. no ones been fired for running legal.it would take 2 wks of trucks running legal to have this country on their knees and truckers could get anything they wanted....higher rates ,pass thru fuel surcharges. shipper load/consignee unload ,detention time...all the things we wanted for years...

[allikatzpop]

highballin, youre old school .like me...you remember 2 sticks and no a/c....you also remember the last man in this world who could shut the country down by giving the order to strike.....he's been missing since july of 1975...