Can a company legally interupt your 10 hour rest period

Talk to your union rep. If you get blown off, name the company and union/local. I wouldn't have an issue with a phone call or two during my 10, but if they are in any way requiring you to do "work", it's sketchy. Are you in a truck or a hotel on this 10 hour break, or at the house?

 

Are you local or sleeping in a sleeper? What do you mean by interrupt? Are they calling you say 5 hours into your break and asking you to work?

 

Just because it rings doesn't mean you have to answer it. Turn it off or down. Don't answer it, easy peasy.


I would think that federal regulations overrule " unwritten " union agreements.

I would lay lay down paper work trail though. Send a email/ letter to the safety manager. Tell him that the distracting company phone calls during your legal 10hr break are not safe. CYA!!

 

395.2

On-duty time shall include:
(8) Performing any other work in the capacity, employ, or service of, a motor carrier;



If you are truly off duty you don't have to answer your phone. However, if you log the phone call as on duty, you'll need to take another 10 hour break before working. Aside from the fact this will piss your company off, it will decrease your productivity/pay, & you'll probably be about ready for bed by the time you come to work after having 18-20 hours off.

Me? If it really bugged me I'd stop answering. They can leave a message and I'll check when I get up -- I'm not coming to work early regardless of what they have to say, so whats their hurry?

 

Dispatcher you don't mind if i call you at home say @ 0200 hrs and you have to answer the phone. But I'll be asleep. Exactly.

 

Used to see people hang the QC out the window with the cord pinched up to hold it in place outside the truck while they were sleeping.

 

If some of this hasn't helped there ARE far more devious things one might do to get your point across.

One that comes to mind is a phone bot, or web based phone messaging service. Simply set up an account. Set to call ALL relevant numbers (it would be great to call dispatches home number and their cell too) ... at midnight every hour until 0600... with a message stating, "Drivers are sleeping please do not return call, or call again". Of course, if the hint is not gotten by this set the bot to call all relevant numbers every 2 minutes from midnight to 0600...

Of course cover your tracks well, pay for the service via a pre-paid visa card via cash. And watch the drama unfold with a wry grin :smt002