Organized truck driver unions began 120 years ago and much has changed. In 1901, upwards of 1,700 determined truckers formed the Team Drivers International Union. The Teamsters organized a year later and emerged as the most recognizable name in labor unions, bar none.
Before union shops were created, hard-working truck drivers did not earn what many would consider a living wage. Strength in numbers helped professional drivers make strides through collective bargaining. Although working truckers certainly owe the men and women who fought for fair pay and working conditions a debt, the industry’s landscape has changed significantly.
Drivers are in high demand and freight and fleet outfits continue to compete for qualified CDL-holders. This begs the question of whether or not unionized shops deliver enhanced benefits that make them worthwhile. Men and women considering taking a position in the industry may want to weigh the pros and cons of joining a union shop.
Pros of Joining a Unionized Trucking Company
Trucking unions such as the Teamsters negotiate contracts with companies from a position of strength. The leverage used typically involves a potential strike that shutters the company and causes financial losses. Today’s unions are also armed with lawyers prepared to take corporations to court and win civil lawsuits. Management rarely refuses to compromise on a fair and equitable labor agreement. This results in CDL professionals gaining the following benefits.
- Higher Wages: Union truckers often earn consistently high wages. Both sides of the negotiating table understand the market forces at work and the value of hard-working truckers.
- Benefits: The Teamsters union, among others, has successfully delivered reasonably good health care and retirement opportunities. Industry insiders often cite unionized benefits as equal or superior to non-union packages.
- Worker Rights: Unions generally intervene when a member is not being treated fairly by management. Shop stewards and elected union officials often prevent members from having their rights trampled.
Along with these and other benefits, local unions often provide support for members when companies close. Opportunities to get day-work or secure a job at another trucking outfit mean CDL professionals may not land on unemployment.
What are the Cons of Joining A Union Shop?
It may sound counterintuitive, but truck drivers have opportunities to earn higher salaries in some non-union shops. Freight companies that wish to avoid unionization offer competitive rates and benefit packages. Basically, they understand prevailing rates and float just under union wages. The linchpin is that non-union drivers do not have to pay dues. Other drawbacks to working in a union shop include the following.
- Strikes: Workers can remain out of a job for months until union officials and company leaders hash out an agreement. It’s not uncommon for large companies to hire scabs to break the union.
- Loss of Decision-Making: The current driver shortage creates opportunities for qualified CDL professionals to negotiate and lobby on their own behalf. Savvy truckers may be able to secure raises, bonuses, and perks not available in a collective bargaining agreement.
It’s essential for newly-minted and experienced truckers to do what they believe is in their best interest. Whether you decide to work in a union shop or not, truck driver salaries increase year-over-year and there’s plenty of work.
Sources: stacker.com, work.chron.com
One MAJOR con of joining a labor union that wasn’t mentioned above is the Far-Left political positions held by many of today’s so-called labor unions. In short, it seems like the majority today’s so-called labor unions primarily serve as political action committees (PACs) for the Democrats.
If someone supports that agenda, I’m sure they won’t have any problem joining one of those labor unions, paying their dues, and then constantly being bombarded with all kinds of communications and more donation requests to support the socialist movement in our USA.
However, for drivers who don’t support that agenda to “transform” our country, joining a labor union would (IMO) be a huge mistake. It all depends on where someone stands with the socialist movement.
As a member of Teamsters Local 25 Boston I can say you are right . However , I do not support their support of the ridiculous Woke left wing garbage . I don’t give to any Teamster PAC funds and openly say that when approached for donations . On the plus side , OT after 8 hours , $0 for healthcare , dental and vision . Thanks to Idiot Joe’s covid bill of 1.7 Trillion early after election , our pensions were bailed out ! How that “Covid” bill did this is absurd . That bill bailed out 121 pension funds that were failing . Thank you to my fellow Americans because my pension was at 47% funding and 3.7 Billion underwater . Now funded for 30 years by the American people . I don’t agree with this but I didn’t vote for that fool ! So I will thank my fellow Americans directly for bailing out the piss poor management of my pension . Thank you .
I have been a proud Teamster for 25 years best job I ever had don’t trust anyone who says you can bargain for your wages by yourself. There is strength in numbers as the saying goes united we stand divided we beg..
i was a teamster for 25 years the smartest move i made was joining the teamsters i am retired i get 3000 a month in retirement pay for life
“Savvy truckers may be able to secure raises, bonuses, and perks not available in a collective bargaining agreement”?
Oh please give us a break that’s ridiculous. The only way the trucking business will improve is if it were heavily unionized again. Until then it will remain as it is, as it was prior to unionization, which improved conditions for even those not in a union.
I chuckled at that statement too, John. I’ve been a company driver all my life and never has a carrier been willing to negotiate their pay package. It is what it is. Take it or leave it.
One big con not mentioned – renting your job from a third party. I’ve never rented my job from anyone and have never paid for the privilege of working anywhere and never will. UPS went on strike a few years back. By the time the union bosses, who never missed a paycheck, decided to “let” their members get back to work, they had lost so much pay that the new contract (four years, I believe) would expire before they made up for the losses.
Worked for the Unions and left because of all the senority BS and the fact they protect drivers that shouldn’t hold a CDL.
That is one of the things that also bugs me about the union. Some drivers jobs don’t deserve to be protected time after time. At some point they need to be cut loose. On the other hand, it is nice to know you have a voice and you don’t have to tolerate being walked all over.
I never met so many cry babies working with teamsters. Fuck your seniority. They wear that shit like under wear.
Union jobs have many goods and bad points . I have worked 16 years as non union company driver , 10 years as O.O. with my own contract carrier Authority , presently 16 years with Teamsters . I have to take a schedule with weekdays off to avoid weekend force day at 1.5 OT time . My biggest problem at present is to many hours at 1.5 OT . Not a bad problem to have because Covid is paying us at 2X regular pay rate for OT , somewhere around $57 an hour on OT after 8 .
The equipment is well above average day cabs , home every night , OT after 8 , $ 0 cost to me for healthcare with dental and vision . Early pension at 62 with 17 years is $3750 b4 taxes a month .
It is a personnel choice . I am treated well , with above average benefits . It is better for me but it comes at a long view outlook . It pays off at the end when you do the long math . Just my 2 cents .
One of the things about a union shop is that everyone is paid the same rate, no matter how much experience you have or how long you have been with the company. While this is good for the new driver/hire, most companies I have worked for will pay more to those that have more experience and stay with the company. A downside of pensions is that many are underfunded and if you leave or are fired you lose it. Better to have a 401K, that way it can go where you go. most companies match up to 6%, it’s like getting free money.
I worked 17 years in the industry after spending 28years in the Auto Repair Industry. For me the 5 years I worked in the union job I was the happiest with all the ups and downs with dues ,seniority and the union and company at each others throat It was the best job that I had over the 17 year career. I worked on the other hand for one of the big 3 ,you were just a number low pay,fairly good benefits I had to put up with a lot of BS from warehouses, but when I retired
after 10 years a million miles I got 5k minus taxes 3 k left not bad better then nothing.But when retirement came around you better have something saved because you got nothing from them except 3% match on the 401k and a Goodluck! To do it over it would be Union Shop all the way.