Wal-Mart Asks Suppliers to Give Up Control of Their Deliveries

I don't know what Walmart does at the beginning of their shift.
However, what Walmart does for employee morale is far different than what a UNION does to drive a wedge between the company and employee.
A Company KNOWS that a "happy employee is a productive employee" and a UNION knows that an UN-happy employee keeps the UNION coffers filled with cash.

 

Thank you, which was my hope exactly with this thread to talk about the effects this may have to truckers, not anyone's particular opinion of Wal-Mart.

With Wal-Mart taking over control of its receiving of goods from shippers, I'm wondering if there will be room for the smaller trucking firms that have traditionally had business delivering to Wal-Mart DCs to still keep that business. My guess is that many smaller trucking firms will not get the contracts to haul with Wal-Mart, and the large firms are going to get the business. The rest of the grocery industry may not be far behind in following this practice.

Anyone out there know of firms (perhaps even their own) being shoved out because of this initiative?

 

It looks like the thread was sufficiently hijacked, my apologies.

It appears like this could go on forever, roadkill, suffice it to say, we agree to disagree. Have a good one

 

The Overdrive article clearly states that Wal-Mart will be using O/O's directly. Whether it's under lease or own authority wasn't revealed. Sounds like it's good for the small operator.

This news confirms a couple of rumors I have been hearing from inside Wal-Mart. First, one or more large carriers (Swift was mentioned by name) will be pushed out, depending on need and individual DC requirements.

Second, a huge temp-controlled warehouse located in Barstow,CA has been on the drawing board in Bentonville for some time. This would mainly handle produce coming from the port and Central Cali to all points East, for the super-centers.

Again, this only rumor. No official announcements yet.

 

So I guess I should have read the article more clearly. It does say that Wal-Mart will be using o/o's directly. Still, I have to wonder to what extent, and what will become of o/o's who truck for shippers already.

It's not my business, so I am not personally affected, but sense there will be some impact to smaller trucking companies.

Now that would impact quite a few drivers in the industry. A major carrier losing Wal-Mart could change the hiring or wage picture a bit (or maybe not).

 

I drive for Covenant in the Wal-Mart dedicated division. By the end of this Spring, we will know if we will continue doing business with Wal-Mart as Covenant is trying to renew their contract. If we lose Wal-Mart I will have to find another company cause not interested in anything else at Covenant. Just HATE when I get loads straight from Wal-Mart dispatch office instead of from my Covenant load planner. Wal-Mart definitely exploits us, Covenant drivers. I use "diplomacy" and all the "tricks" I know to avoid running their store loads without being removed from their dedicated account.

 

Do you know why Wal-Mart drivers routinely turn down the offers to join the Teamsters? They don't want to take a pay or benefits cut.

 

i dont buy that.

 

I use to work for a competitor of Walmart (think red) and got treated the same of what one member was describing. I unloaded trucks, stocked freight, and was on the presentation team. We were treated like slaves and driven very hard. We were not allowed any overtime and if we did, we got written up. We were often sent home early on our 4th day for working 40hrs. When unloading freight it was in sync and thank goodness grocery was on pallets. Swift always left 15-25min after arriving if the freight was in order. If not the delay was 10-15min. They still run a tight ship. If you get sick a lot avoid working for them. I hear Walmart is better and more polite about employees getting sick.

KH

 

I am well aware that their company drivers are well payed,....And I haven't heard of any organizing effort to try to compel them to join,...

However,....There have been organizing efforts in the stores,...

I am almost certain that my pay and benefits are greater than most walmart company drivers,...

And for the record I think that the walmart company drivers are among the most professional drivers on the road,...