Central Transport (not Central Refrigerated)

Yeah, their pay varies from location to location. And I was waiting, because at the Indy terminal drivers don't work the dock. However, the drivers that went from Detroit to Cleveland,OH or Hammond,IN could work the dock, so they were paid for it.

 

Yes, my husband works for Central Transport (CT) They were origionally JWA a parent company to CT. After reorganization allowing CT to operate on its own many people left the company. Most of the hubs are very small and the turn over rate for terminal managers and driver is CRAZY. My husband never had to do dock work until now. Different rates of pay for different docs. Example: If your in Hammon dock pay is 18.00 an hr, then you drive to Janesville to pick up...dock work there is 17..00 an hr. So you pay is always changing. Get it???

Now, the push you REAL HARD, and pit drivers against one another. Screaming, cussings, and changing shifts on you at a drop of a hat is how they treat their drivers. Example....hubby went in on Tuesday morning and sent right back home only to pull a third shift. Imagine that!

Then they write up report to make you look like your a bad driver so when they fire you, you'll have to fight to get your unemployment. Working 12 to 14 hours a day 5 days a week is the schedule. Also they make you scann all frieght, then that darn Scanner of yours rings like a phone and it accepts text messages. However the Mgrs. use that as a process to harass thier drivers.

Writing is on the wall.....they have lost many clients, drivers, and terminal managers. and word on the street is they are in financial trouble. My husband is currently looking else where. Oh yes, after the interview, it will be about another 3 to 4 weeks before you actually get hired. Duh....Corporate America....hurry up and wait!

 

Never a drop and hook! You always unload your trailer

 

They do not pay ot after 40. It is all straight pay.

 

I have been with C.T. /J.W.A. for over a year now. I can honestly say from my experience that if you like to be treated like a slave, a piece of frieght, a sub human, worse than an animal, than...go ahead and work there.

Many of us are in the process of leaving. Of course, it takes time, and so it will. But in the meantime, I keep reminding myself of my children so as not to make any hasty movements.

Many issues are at hand such as being shorted on your check, being written up for being sick, (one guy got 1 1/2 points for having a heart attack at work and not finishing his route), being late (normal), taking pre approved vacation and then being told if you go you may be fired when you get back...the night before you leave...AND get a phone call at the airport about WHERE ARE YOU? from your dispatcher. (this happened to a coworker)

Job changes: Your hired to drive a route and do some dock work. Then, to save money the company fires all the dock people at Thanksgiving and makes you break and load trailers.

Shift changes: Your told NO WEEKENDS. Yet you wind up working till about 11 a.m. on Saturday before they let you go.

Hours: Advertised on Internet and Papers as 45 -55 a week. Try 70 a week. Then more if your greedy enough to lie on your logbook. Most hours are not voluntary, but mandatory. I don't mind being asked to work, but to be told to work and to change your family obligations to fit their needs is too much. (Can't you cancel your son's doctor appt. and go on Sunday?) WHERE DO YOU LIVE BUDDY?

Payroll Hostage: They will hold your check unless you attend their meeting where they lecture you about health and safety....which is a joke, for your health and safety mean nothing to them.

Damaged Goods: So What? The owner of the company owns the insurance company that provides coverage for the damaged goods. He has special contracts in trade for lower rent for most of the companies we do business with built on his land. The owner of Central is the largest land owner in Michigan. He owns the bridge that connects America and Canada. He owns 64 companies.

Union? NO WAY. The owner shut the company down for 3 years when he kicked out the union and threatens to do so again. Which is violating rights under the RIGHT TO ORGANIZE BILL signed in 1943.

Equipment? Try driving a jeep with 3 square tires?

Working Conditions? Imagine working outside in the howling freezing wind and snow, the only protection is the trailer your loading. Otherwise the washroom is the warmest place in the workarea. (AND IF YOU GET SICK YOU GET WRITTEN UP)

Equal pay? Every terminal is paid at different rates. Which can make for a very negative environment. But...for some reason...no one has brought that up.

Bring things up? No one listens.

Equal and Fair Treatment is posted but actually means...don't let the door hit you in the a.... on the way out.

Federal Laws covering Equal Opportunity, Discrimination, Breaks, Legal Log books, Hazmat Transportation on highways....all violated.

Hazmat Loads: Thank god we only get a warning and the company the violation fine. One time I found 42 50 gal. drums of corrosive hidden on my trailer. Of course, it wasn't until I drove to the end terminal and started breaking down my trailer before finding it.

Family? Say goodbye to them when working at Central Transport.

Good Things: A paycheck.

 

Dadoo, great post. That was exactly my (and many others') experience there. Luckily for you, since you live in Romeoville, there should be plenty of jobs available; some will even be better!
Good luck!

 

thanks wallbanger. yeah..i know there are alot around me. I just want to be sure about where i go next to avoid falling into the same mistake.

 

I cannot blame you at all!