ABF Driver Training Program

I recently got a call from ABF and was told I was hired for their driver development program which would lead to a city driving position. Their next class is in January, so it's a 3 1/2 month wait. I have a couple of other offers and wanted to know if anyone could shed some light on ABF as a company, the union, working conditions, and so on.

First, the company said the school is 4 weeks long and is at the casual rate 8 hrs per day times 5 days per week. After that, the recruiter said I'd make the "full scale" wage here as a city driver. From what others have said, though, it looks like they want you to work as a casual for a certain amount of time and that based on my call to a service center, the union never allows people to walk into a city driving position. Does anyone know if people are starting at scale right out of the training program or working as casuals for a certain amount of time, and how long?

Second, the company said they were starting people out at full scale wage instead of 90% or 95%. Does this sound right for current circumstances? My other options are offering less per hour, but there's no uncertainty as to when you're starting your job - you're working straight out of school and there's no casual period. Over time, earnings are about the same, but the work with the others seems to be for the true masochist (rotating shifts, backbreaking labor). I'm looking forward to this opportunity with a good company, but want to make sure I'm getting the right info.

 

No CDL. I'd be starting brand new but not sure about what happens when you get your license. Mixed takes: some say you'd start as a casual for a few weeks while others say straight to union scale. It'd be good to get the details straight from the horse's mouth, if you know what I mean!

 

Nevermind - turned down the job when they said they wanted an indenture agreement for 2 years and their answers to other questions were unclear. Surprising they'd want an indenture given the shortage, but that likely means there are several companies that don't require a contract and I'll be looking into those.