Did Roehl change their indebtedness amount for CDL training?

Paul328 · Apr 5, 2016

BlackShack, lawsuits not against Roehl against several credit card companies and a few wireless carriers from what I understand.

Blackshack46 · Apr 5, 2016

Paul328 said: ↑

BlackShack, lawsuits not against Roehl against several credit card companies and a few wireless carriers from what I understand.
Click to expand...

I got that part.

Keith48 · Apr 6, 2016

I talked a recruiter today who confirmed that it is now a $5,000 payback. I asked what happened if I get to 115k miles and they let me go or wasn't giving me enough work and I left, she said I would still be responsible for the entire amount.

lucasheart · Apr 6, 2016

Keith48 said: ↑

I was applying to get into the CDL program and when I got to the last page with the agreement of the indebtedness from the training, the amount it says I will owe them if I do not complete 15 months is $5,000. Everywhere I have read on here and even on their website says it will be $3130. That is a big red flag to me. You never know what could happen in the next 15 months, and them holding 5 G's over my head is something I don't think I am willing to do. Did they change it?

Here is the wording of the agreement:
AGREEMENT FOR THE VALUE OF THE SAFETY AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM - GET YOUR CDL
Congratulations on your acceptance into the Roehl Transport Safety and Job Skills Training Program ("SJSTP")! This powerful and effective education and training program will prepare you for a successful career as a heavy duty truck driver.

Our instructors will teach you the information and train you on the skills you need in order to successfully obtain a Class A CDL. Then you will be paired with one of our certified trainers and begin on the job training to acquire valuable experience and training for the competent, safe, and efficient operation of a tractor/trailer combination. Our instructors and trainers are highly experienced, skilled and trained to teach you what you need to ensure you're confident and ready to do the job of a heavy duty truck driver. Roehl will expend a significant amount of time, money, and effort to provide you with first class job training through our program.

This letter explains our financial commitments to one another. As much as we want to avoid the language of lawyers, we have to be particular about using precise language to govern this financial relationship, which is what we will explain next.

This agreement is between you and Roehl.

Credit Line. On this date, by signing this agreement you promise to repay to Roehl for the value of the SJSTP, the sum of $5,000.00, which Roehl has expended for payment on your behalf for the SJSTP.

The value of the program is in effect a loan to you. It's a loan you'll never have to pay back as long as you work for us as a driver and complete 120,000 paid solo miles. Once you have completed 120,000 paid solo miles, this debt is completely forgiven and you owe us nothing for the SJSTP.

Interest Charge. Roehl will impose a 0% interest charge per month on any unpaid balance while you remain employed with us. If you do not satisfy the agreement, interest will accrue at the maximum rate allowed by law.

Promise to Pay. By signing this agreement, you promise to repay to Roehl the value of the SJSTP if you do not complete 120,000 paid solo miles. You are responsible for repayment if you voluntarily terminate your employment or you fail to maintain your driving qualifications other than your physical qualifications - 391.41. If we ask you to leave the program because you lack the necessary skills and end your employment during CDL training or Phase 2 - on-the-job training we will not seek repayment and the debt goes away. This debt goes away when you have completed 120,000 paid solo miles.

You begin earning paid solo miles after your graduation date from Phase 2 training and when you receive your first load assignment.

Deduction of Amounts Owed From Wages. By signing this agreement you agree to allow Roehl to offset and deduct any and all amounts owed by you from any pay owed by Roehl to you pursuant to this agreement, provided that any deduction will not contravene state or federal law or reduce your wage to the extent prohibited by any state or federal law.

You are still obligated to pay Roehl for any balance owed for the value of training that is not deducted from your pay. Roehl can bring a claim against you for any sum or sums owed to Roehl. You agree that if Roehl is forced to bring such a claim, Roehl shall be entitled to recover all costs and expenses incurred in connection with that claim and the collection efforts leading up to it, including but not limited to reasonable attorney fees.

If Roehl is not able to recover the entire balance owed for the value of training from your pay that you received then, you agree to repay these amounts within thirty (30) days of your separation date.

Default. If you fail to repay the entire balance within thirty (30) days following your separation date, you understand and agree that Roehl will immediately begin collection proceedings to recover the entire unpaid balance.

If this agreement or any part thereof is not paid when due and is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, or if this agreement is collected by lawsuit or through other proceedings, you agree to pay the reasonable attorney's fee and court costs associated with collection efforts. Should you not satisfy the agreement, interest will accrue at the maximum rate allowed by law.

Term. This agreement has a stated term, which begins on the date you sign it and is ongoing until you have satisfied the terms of this agreement.

Waiver. This agreement is the final agreement between the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.

Applicable Law. You acknowledge that the aforementioned debt exists and know of no reason why the debt is not a valid debt, or of any defenses to your obligation to repay the debt. This agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties to it shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in all respects with the laws of the State of Wisconsin.

Again, we won't make deductions from your pay for this as long as you're actively at work for us. And, you won't owe us anything if you complete 120,000 paid solo miles. Our agreement is simple - we'll teach you the skills needed to obtain a Class A Comercial Drivers Licesnes and to be a successful heavy duty truck driver at no cost to you as long as you work for us for 120,000 paid solo miles.

I understand that by signing this agreement, I agree to the terms of this agreement.
Click to expand...

Hi Keith - can you tell me where on www.roehl.jobs you see a reference to $3130? I work in the marketing department at Roehl and I'm responsible for the company's website - if I have misinformation on the site, I want to correct it. I did a search, but couldn't locate it.

Keith48 · Apr 6, 2016

lucasheart said: ↑

Hi Keith - can you tell me where on www.roehl.jobs you see a reference to $3130? I work in the marketing department at Roehl and I'm responsible for the company's website - if I have misinformation on the site, I want to correct it. I did a search, but couldn't locate it.
Click to expand...

@lucasheart

Lucas,

You are correct. I went back and could not find it on the website. I'm thinking I had what I was reading on the forums about the amount in my head. My apologies.

I would enroll with Roehl today to get back on the road if that contract was not so one-sided. If there was a guarantee of offered miles - something like 2,000 miles per week - it would not be an issue. And I am talking about what is dispatched. If the driver turns down the loads, then they have no recourse. But if I sign that contract and you are not giving me the work, all you have to do is remind me that I am under contract and I am at your mercy. I have no recourse except to be treated like your slave. Personally, I would honor the contract completely, but I would expect to have a certain number of miles in return.

The second thing is that I could drive 119,999 miles and get let go, and then I am on the hook for $5,000. That amount should be prorated. I can understand you lose money if a driver gets their CDL, gets trained, and then leaves after a few weeks. Yes, of course they should be on the hook for it. But no way should I be on the hook for all of it until the last mile. That obligation should decrease as time goes on.

That contract is completely in Roehl's favor, and that is your prerogative. I can simply choose not to go there, which is my choice now. And I have seen people say on these boards that they would not do that - it is not in their interest to do it. But I have to go with what is in the written contract, not by someone's opinion or verbal promise (as unfortunate as that is in today's society). If the wrong person gets elected this November, who knows what will happen to the economy and to freight. Things change, and I would be more than happy to pay my obligation if I had to leave the contract. But with no pro-rated reduction, I just can't.

Vic Firth · Apr 6, 2016

So you're saying if you leave you owe the entire amount? That's BS if that's true. Each month the amount should be reduced.

Keith48 · Apr 7, 2016

Vic Firth said: ↑

So you're saying if you leave you owe the entire amount? That's BS if that's true. Each month the amount should be reduced.
Click to expand...

Yep, that's what the contract says.

Blackshack46 · Apr 7, 2016

Looks like Johnny's sister is still going to owe him a lot of cookies yet. Sorry Tabitha.

Vic Firth · Apr 7, 2016

It's a shame Roehl has adopted this policy. At one time they were a respected company and I was considering them several years ago. Too bad they've lost sight of setting an example for other training companies. I understand getting your investment back is important but it should be reduced for each month of service. Maybe the owners should take a hard look at their retention policies.

sleepily · Apr 11, 2016

Youare responsible for repayment if you voluntarily terminate your employment or you fail to maintain your driving qualifications other than your physical qualifications - 391.41. If we ask you to leave the program because you lack the necessary skills and end your employment during CDL training or Phase 2 - on-the-job training we will not seek repaymentand the debt goes away.

You have your outs. Not physically qualified; lac of skills in CDL training, or phase 2

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Did Roehl change their indebtedness amount for CDL training?

Paul328 Bobtail Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Blackshack46 Road Train Member

Keith48 Light Load Member

lucasheart Bobtail Member

Keith48 Light Load Member

Vic Firth Road Train Member

Keith48 Light Load Member

Blackshack46 Road Train Member

Vic Firth Road Train Member

sleepily Light Load Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Did Roehl change their indebtedness amount for CDL training?

Paul328 Bobtail Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Blackshack46 Road Train Member

Keith48 Light Load Member

lucasheart Bobtail Member

Keith48 Light Load Member

Vic Firth Road Train Member

Keith48 Light Load Member

Blackshack46 Road Train Member

Vic Firth Road Train Member

sleepily Light Load Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!