Yellow Freight closure thread

I'll give a short lesson. My father was a union independent steelhauler in the 60,70,80,90's. A "active union rep in Ohio for steelhaulers". 50 years in the seat. Even quit and ran TNT/USF Holland truck to add up a few more years and went back to his own. Someplace in 86/87 WhiteStar steel division shutdown over the weekend. In the contract argument they allowed guys to cash purchase 2 years union time. He paid them. Fast forward to retirement time, he was 2 years short. Had receipts, docs, proof. Had lawyers agree. All said and done. He retired 2 years short. They gave zero concern. SOL. Now back story was the teamsters had been trying to sink the independent steel haulers for decades. You can do your history search. But the Oh,Mi,PA steelhaulers went against the teamsters numerous times. They were one in the same, yet individual. The small group of truckers beat the pants off of Corp, and teamsters. Wildcat strikes in the three states brought the country to a slow walk. My personal opinion was axes were still being ground years later. And anything is possible when money is involved.

I watched that man sacrifice and support so many people in this industry. In the end, he was alone. I run my truck, with my name on the door, and answer to nobody.

 

So he got nothing?

 

In my father case. They at the time paid on 20,25,30, 30 plus. Different values for years. He had 30 years, and retired at 25 year rate. Under the old rules had to submit a copy of equipment titles not in his name either. Signed it over to me. Sent copies in. A week later I signed it back over to him. At 66 was running his daycab during the week, and weekends drove mail truck to jersey and back twice. "Retirement" wasn't in his vocabulary. But getting what your owed was.

 

So in the end, your father won?

 

No he had 30/31 verifiable years in teamsters. Retired with 25 year pension.

 

So those guys who are 75+ just screwed themselves for nothing. They should’ve retired years ago. Its their fault to take such a risk.

 

I'm glad you are in a better frame of mind today!
And yes I understand your feelings as I've been there a couple times , such as when saia bought the LTL I worked for and all of my Co workers and I were scattered to the wind as I was fresh out of divorce I didn't want .
It gets better buddy and many doors have opened and closed since then.
I dont like change either but eventually this will be just a memory for you after you've moved on and got settled .
One thing I've learned in the last 36 years of trucking is NOTHING is forever .
We are like baseball players : you've been traded so pack your bat and ball you're on another team now .
And yes you had me concerned .

 

Hey road runner I read your post and thought the same thing obviously someone else did. I am glad you are okay. Things suck right now I suspect most get that but I assure you things can get better. Having been laid off 5 times in 27 working years I get it I do. You need to take time to mourn it like you lost an old buddy.
Will you drive again maybe but maybe not. I suspect that choice is yours. Regardless sorry you are in this pain and I am glad folks have shown they cared.

 

So I've clocked out for my 48-60hrs at home, decided to swing by my local Yellow and Reddaway terminals here in Southern California.

First two pics are Yellow. The truck gate is locked on both sides with a container sitting at the entry gate. Lights are on all around the terminal but no one's home. Terminal is set back from the street with bushes and brick walls so it's impossible to see deep into the terminal, but you can tell it's chock full of trailers. Second pic is the employee entrance, locked as well.

1000017189 by plynnjr92 posted Jul 30, 2023 at 9:37 PM

1000017190 by plynnjr92 posted Jul 30, 2023 at 9:37 PM

Third pic is the Reddaway terminal. I think the employee and truck entrance are the same, but I was never an employee at this terminal so take it or leave it. Same deal as Yellow, lights are on but nobody's home. There IS in fact a guard in the guard shack though, so I didn't bother going into the driveway. As you pass the street though, you could see trailers littered all over the place. Would've taken a picture of those, since it was visible from the street, but I wasn't about to have the guard put out an APB to local pd with a description of my car. Area around the terminals is naturally crime-infested, not gonna try my luck.

1000017191 by plynnjr92 posted Jul 30, 2023 at 9:37 PM

 

Piss-yellow? Gatorade bottle as the logo.

Sorry, I couldn’t help it. God bless y’all!