Former Driver Trainee Files Lawsuit Over Low Wages

The simplest, is the removal of the exemption that is now under the labor rules.

 

http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=23999

Werner settles lawsuit. This isn't the only time. They were sued in Texas in the mid-2000s and settled that minimum wage lawsuit too. Sorry, couldn't find a link to that one though...

As much as I love to see the coolie carriers get theirs, it all seems to be figured into their costs of doing business, and this won't slow them down one bit. They seem to have the production line pretty much dialed in, unfortunately.

 

Ok I see where their going from the article. The rookies are in class ( orientation ) and not driving therefore not exempt from FLSA. The Rail driver has them but really, $30 ?? of 575k ?

Now if we take the ball and run with it...... all on duty time would fall under the same ruling. We may have a way to crack these ########.......be fun to jack them up for awhile.

JMO

 

Funny, I was always was treated with respect. Had 25 years in the saddle. Got whatever I could get as a wanna be, Werner started me as a worm. 60 days later I had a new truck. Helped my travel agent plan loads. Had to sit, a few times. It's called Trucking, not give me money from being away from home. I am really Important, & need top wages because I am so Important. We feel the need to know what you can do before we turn you loose with a 6 million dollar load. Were funny that way. We have 2000 + drivers. I couldn't handle Safety person. My Love is the road. It's what I do.

 

Times Two.

When I first started, I asked about pay. The company rep told me that they start at X cents per mile. Hub miles? No, rand McNally. Hmmm. What kind of trucks and what do you have them governed to? 65. Direct deposit? Yes!

"I'll take it"

i show up ready for work, and I hope they can keep me rolling. If I don't like the pay, or the miles, or the truck, I bounce. Haven't really had problems with any company I've worked for.

There would have to be more to it with this case in order to have a legit lawsuit. I would hope there would.

 

I hope it does some good.. opens some eyes....

 

Justin , what about the all knowing FLSA of 33 or 35 whenever that exempted drivers from wage and OT laws ?

 

What about the cost of training? That could be considered as compensation for these drivers. Training could cost as much as $5,000 or more. If the training period is 10 weeks then the driver could actually earning an additional $500/week in addition to the weekly paycheck. If he is paid $300/week plus his training, then he is actually earning $800/week while in training. He is getting his training for free. Perhaps the IRS should look at his cost of training as earned income and tax it. If this is successful, new drivers will be the ones who really suffer. I can see fewer drivers being trained due to the high costs. It is insane to think that any company should pay drivers to sleep, go to the toilet and eat a meal. What is next? Waitresses? Traveling salesmen? How about lawyers? When you get a degree in most fields, you will do an apprenticeship or internship. That is work that a student performs for a company to gain some experience and having hope of a job after graduation. Should these people also be paid minimum wage? These people knew going in to these positions the rate of pay and amount of hours that they would potentially work. Now, they see that they can't cut it and now want a big check.

Lawyers start these lawsuits in hopes of these companies settling and them getting a big paycheck. It is nothing short of extortion. Defendants either pay up or get sued. What a racket!!!

 

If I went to work in a factory and they trained me how to drive a forklift should I have to pay for that training and if so how much??

 

When I hired employees and then had to train them, they received the full salary.