Abf or Estes express?

I would run to ABF !!!

 

Leaving Estes on good terms or any company is very admirable, but don't expect to ever be rehired by Estes once you ever worked for an union company.

 

why wouldn't Estes rehire him? qualified help is qualified help, as long as he doesn't burn the bridge. I don't think Estes is like that, however, I have heard that FedEx can be like that, although I know there are former union workers at FedEx in buffalo.

I'd take ABF, even if the new contract passes and they end up on a little pay cut, the free benefits and the work rules alone are worth it. Seniority and the greivance procedure are a beautiful thing to have when no one in management sees things YOUR way.

I wouldn't worry about the pension either, everyone loves to complain about it and jump on the bandwagon, but no one has ever shown me a 401k that can give you anything close to even a small pension. its too bad about the shape its in with Central States, however, ABF is way too big of a contributor, I Think if it was going to go bankrupt, the union would just stick ABF into a new pension fund, like what they did with the pipeliners a couple of years ago.

 

I would wait on ABF. Every employee is gonna shoot down the contract offer on the table. I'm hearing its a auto strike. ABF lost 12.4 mil something like that last quarter. There's alot of ? Marks with them. They are a good company but with the economy they might sell or close the doors if a strike happens. We don't know what cards the owner has in their hand. That's just my opinion, I don't know the details or work for them so you can do what ever you want.

 

Radman, How good is your info on every employee shooting the contract down? I'm only a casual, but I'm hearing different things from different people, some grumbling, some too financially strapped to strike.

 

Looks like the new contract barely voted in. So no strike. But alot of unhappy Abf campers.

 

ABF has ratified their new 5-year contract. Layoffs? They sometimes occur after the holidays (Xmas/New Years) when freight slows a little. Layoff could be as short as a week or two (which means a vacation in Winter) or it could last into Spring. Either way, you could get unemployment benefits since you've been at Estes for 2 years and they pay into the state unemployment fund. I was laid off at my company twice after 2 years (for six weeks the first time, and six months the second time) because the economy briefly went south. ABF isn't viewed as a company that over-hires; if they hire you, they probably need you and expect to use you. Your benefits (Blue Cross Blue Shield) are paid for after your probationary period, as well as dental, vision, and prescription. You don't have to give them any time, if you break down someplace, you are paid actual delay time. You are paid for what you do at a Teamster job but they aren't going to pay you for not doing your job. Pension? Columbus is in Central States Funds. See centralstates.org for further information, or call Teamsters Local 413 on E. Rich Street. The office girls there will help you better understand the benefits/retirement plans. Good Luck!

BTW: ABF is considered one of the better Teamster places to work.