You don't need a strike

Not a driver, but married to one. For years I have watch it and it always fails from lack of organization. Media showed last attempt wasn't even known by more than half the truckers until a day or so before. This is not enough time to prepare.

OOIDA can't help, it's hands are legally tied from anything to do with a strike as it is a non-profit organization. They sure have the power to make a difference with the amount of exposure, but someone has to organize it and all you guys are too busy working!

Shutting down trucks hurts you and the consumer. The average consumer is not aware of what you guys go through and it's take them a year to learn. Shutting down the roads (like the European drivers did recently) will probably not be the answer either. Then comes the driver who will continue taking the low paying job, just to make that monthly truck payment or when he's a month behind on the mortgage. Or worst yet, the new "green behind the ears" driver who bought the big new rig that thinks he's making tons of money

I'm just trying to give ideas, not to deter the cause, but isn't the problem more rooted towards one body of people? Just like the rest of the economy, where did the greed begin? The brokers... that word seems to be a cuss word. But honestly folks, there are a few good ones out there who actually into the trucking business and not the brokerage business.

So why can't the "movement" be looked at in a different view? If everyone were to take a week (it may be less) and stick together, firing the bullet at the same target, you may be able to get the turkey you really want. What if everyone said (for 2-3 days) no one will accept a job under a set price? Heck, say $3 a mile! Someone has inside knowledge of what the supplier is paying, it's the brokers who will have to absorb it. The independents are hurting the most and make the smallest impact, but someone will get stung, just make sure it isn't you. If the brokers contract it out and don't have the trucks to deliver, they will start forking money out of their own pockets before they make a bad impression on the supplier. I also think their suppliers are going to ask questions when they see the amount the drivers are asking is still much less than they are paying the broker.

Would it be easier to ask every driver to stand FIRM (for a set amount of days) on a price you guys agree as fair? And if the driver gets it, by all means he can take it the next day or that very moment. It's only fair to the driver, as he's getting what he asked for. All of this needs to have organization or some method of media attention. Heck, I heard Dan Rather was doing a mini series on trucking..someone or somewhere (ie.website) where drivers could "tune in" for the moment. Set the date in advance so everyone is prepared and not in the middle of a run. Why should you spend reefer fuel keeping the stuff cold? A week's time gives everyone a chance to demand the next price.

It is basically the same thing as a strike, but maybe easier on the mentality of some of these drivers who refuse to see what they are doing by accepting the rates they have. They fear the word strike and aren't hungry enough (yet) to understand what they did. If you don't call the brokers, they will call you. Have a slogan everyone will give them (hehe, something like "don't talk to me, 'til you get to 3 ") and hang up on them. By the end of the second hour their heads will be buzzing. By day #3 with the produce rotting...they'll call again. And even if it's profitable at $2.50, shoot for 3. Do this over and over and eventually half the brokers will find new jobs and the stupid drivers will be bankrupt by then and gone.

 

I agree that the industry is diverse, but I disagree there is no industry in trucking! Of all the jobs I've had, of all my neighbors and friends, the one I would call more an "industry" would be the trucker. None of the others require the licensing and regulations that a driver has. If looked at in that manner, there is no industry at all. Every big industry is very diverse. In believing you have no power because you have no real numbers and get lost in trying to analyze the word industry, it will not change. I have seen 2 reports, one stating 12%, the other 15% of the industry are with their own authority.

"Even the teamsters" reflects everyones old fashioned respect of what the industry was. Yes "even the teamsters" go after segments, and the drivers with their own authority hold the only clout. Reread, it is all aimed at the true O/O, not the "franchise" drivers. Those leasing companies and brokers are all under contracts. Nothing will work if you're working for a giant. The smaller trucking companies will back the independent. It is also geared toward reefers ( stereos and grain can sit for weeks).

It is the mentality and attitude of the broker that has changed things. It is one of the few "industries" where a broker no longer works for his clients, you work for him. A good broker made sure you weren't abused or there were penalties. It should be the same for a trucking company with drivers, but I would say the least power is with O/O leasing. Profit is the only key. Want to test a true trucking outfit over a franchise? Watch the response of your boss (O/O brokers) when you tell them you've been sitting at the dock for hours. When loads are scarce, a company driver should always be given preference over the O/O, I don't really have to explain why.

If you look at the "industry" it slowly slid (just as many other jobs) with the attitude from the banking sector (brokers). Once they get away with it, it spreads like a disease. Congress supports them as well. Explain to me why anyone would take their personal money to pay lumpers and get reimbursed later? The law was settled on this matter, who enforced it? No one is enforcing any pf these matters unless there is a fine they can collect.

So perhaps it will take the independents (yes this was always meant to be those with our own authority) to make a stand, one hand washes the other. If you are an O/O be careful of the company you work for as the giants are not real trucking outfits in my eyes. It is like calling the store manager at McDonalds a cook. They are in the money business of leasing. I never understood the lease to own concept, on trucks, cars or even furniture. Then they combine that with telling you they'll broker loads to you as well. They are the truckers I call "franchise truckers". You could work as a Sears employee selling vacuums, or invest into equipment to sell vacuums for Oreck. When the vacuum industry hurts...who is more protected? Unfortunately, I am favoring those with their own authority, the words themselves show why. They also feel they do belong to something as they are really in the trucking industry. I'd prefer to sell my own vacuum.

As far as a strike and having to belong to something, you haven't seen individuals not strike? I have seen it work down to the smallest housewife. Ever see what happens when a landlord has an empty apt in Dec? A strike is just using leverage at the right time. "Belonging" to something makes it more effective through organization. There's power in numbers, but it's the smallest number used in the right place. Ask any woman I am not here thinking I can reform the entire trucking industry. To each his own and more to the ones who put more into it! As in every structure, the smartest and safest way to take it down is not to blast it. It's finding the "segments".