Yellow Freight closure thread

Deep down it was a sad day today. Nobody said anything because most everyone is now on the same page on realizing how dire times are turning into desperate ones. The cat is out of the bag and reality is finally sinking in for most of us.

I took a 2 PM start time to work the outbound with little to no windshield time. I almost entirely work in the yard and I get plenty of downtime to fraternize with my managers and coworkers. At this point everyone is getting super friendly and just talking about what life is going to be like post Yellow. I think everyone just wants to move forward with their lives.

There are personal phone numbers being exchanged between coworkers and management. At this point most of the smart ones are updating their resumes, applying elsewhere and collecting references. There couldn't be a greater dichotomy of how the workplace dynamic changed in just two weeks.

We are no longer management vs Teamsters. For those that realize it, we are now fellow passengers on a ship that is taking on water ...fast. Survival mode is kicking in and at this point the only thing that can save us is a miracle.

We finished up the day closing down the dock like any other night. Quick. Safe. Accurate. On point. With everything going on, everyone wanted a sense of normality as we count down the days until the inevitable happens.

For those going thru what I am going thru, I wish you the best. For those that I work with or even management that is stalking my posts; it's been an absolute privilege and pleasure working with or along side of you. I have worked the best job of my life with some of the most dedicated and motivated coworkers and managera I could ever ask for.

The endless bickering between two sides wearing suits that we will never meet are to blame for our demise. Both sides are to blame for this and maybe one side was less wrong than the other for this. But at what costs?

- The livelihood of 30k union/non-union workers.

 

I was a Production Manager before becoming an O/O for 15 plus year. I ran a little shop making displays and had 20-100 people under me during that time. I was and still am super close to the owner and all the top people in the company. When things started to get bad it was like the whole world was going to end. I was pretty crushed when I knew the company was going to die out.

I seen it happen before most everyone because of how I was involved with everyone. We had some very similar situations like yours when it came down to the last few weeks, days. I wish that on no one as life really does suck for everyone involved including the owner and managers. No one really wants to fail in life or business and it is hard to see everything you worked for go to nothing.


Wish you guys nothing but the best!

 

In a normal and healthy workplace you will have people in positions where the structure allows them to have a voice that is louder and more equal than others underneath them. This is a good thing as long as those people get held accountable for their decisions.

I believe I read (and someone correct me if I am wrong) that the CEO of Yellow made $1.5 million last year. That's a little over $100,000 a month, $25,000 a week, $5000 a day.

And to be fair, the Teamster President is probably not far behind.

At the end of the day, nobody is holding any of them accountable. Company goes into liquidation and whatever assets cover the legal fees and whatever fallout. And that's that. If you are in a position of making $5k a day, hell; even for just 18 months. Your family isn't going to go hungry next month and nobody is coming to cut off your water.

What is forgotten is the human element for those of us in the trenches. Most of us can not go two weeks without a paycheck.

Corporate and Union has a blanket standard. When that standard is not met we are held accountable. If I run over a mailbox I get a reprimand. If I run over a second one the next week I get a weeklong unpaid vacation. Third or fourth time I get fired for causing $400 or so in damages.

So what happens when you are part of the top tier and rack up $1.5 billion in debt and causes your entire cooperation to fold with 30k+ jobs lost. Are they held to the same standard as me running over 3 mailboxes?

The question is rhetoric. But the outcome isn't. Between now and 10-14 days from now 30k+ people will be competing against each other for their next meal.

Thanks for your condolences.

 

I think you missed up on being a journalist. Your posts are really well written and I enjoy reading them all the way to the end.

 

I hate it for you, but perhaps now would be a good time to jump. Best wishes either way.

 

You may not realize this now, but many years from now you will be in a better place if your job goes away. I spent some time at Holland in between Carhaul jobs and I worked with really good people there, but the pay was a fraction of what I made prior to and after Holland. I hate to see any company shut the doors and put people out of work, but maybe it is time. Fortunately for you there are jobs available today you can walk right in to and make as much or more than you currently make. It may not be perfect and you may have to change a couple times to find your ideal job. Good luck and it’s ok to look short term in order to feed your family, while still looking for your long term career path.

 

i'd be thinking that shippers already got the word on Yellow, and been shipping via other companies.

 

my guess would be the collective ages of the board members and wanting quick cash till the end.

after a point in one's life, fighting for something isn't worth it.

take as much money as you can now, and skidaddle outta Dodge

 

Yeah, Dollar Bill ain't done too bad for himself
Former CEO of Global Transport Firm Offers Estates in New York & Kansas at Luxury Auction® (prnewswire.com)

 

dang, the Mrs and me could live very comfortably in the boat house, and when i ain't shooting at the range..??

id be ah fishin'.....