Teamsters?

Yes, I know. It is now Yellow.Roadway.Corporation. But before it was Yellow.Roadway.Corporation, it was Yellow Freight. And if you had a job with Yellow Freight, you had one of these best jobs out there. You were the envy of the highway as far as $$$ was concerned. Then this CEO named Zollar started running Yellow. And he started buying other companies like Holland and a whole list other companies that I can't remember. And Zollar thought wow this is great, so why don't we get even bigger. So Zollar decided to merge with Roadway. Zollar was pleased cause look how big we are now. His timing was poor cause right after the merger came the so called "financial crisis" of 2008-2009. Then all that debt and leverage went against Zollar and the company just crashed and burned. The stock price of YRC went to 25 cents, but that wasn't low enough. The company filed bankruptcy. But before the judge would approve the bankruptcy filing, the drivers (Teamsters) had to agree to a huge pay cut and pension cut I believe. So maybe the old guys at YRC might be doing ok, but they took a pay cut. New hires get hired on at the second tier wages and will never make what the old guys make/made. But before the buyouts, mergers, debt and leverage, working for Yellow Freight was a top notch job. You were set, buddy. From what I hear now, YRC will hire almost anyone who can fog a mirror. Then you will be on call. And when they have no work, that phone won't ring and they will starve you to death. At least that's what a couple of drivers have told me.

 

I make enough money. I don't need to sign up for a second boss, more rules, and more expenses just for a few more bucks. Unions work best in environments where it is difficult to make a living wage. Truck drivers generally don't have that problem of they are willing to work.

 

LTL is the most prevalent of companies that drivers are represented of teamsters.Never heard that Penske was and probably only a few shops are and the ones that are would be in my guess not under the A freight contract that the YRC ,ABF are under.LTL in some terminals are hard for a lot because new hires work is very unpredictable you could run 2500 miles one week and 800 next most supporting a family can’t survive till they can get enough seniority to get more steady work.

 

The lenders required the pay cut to extend the terms

 

Sure why try to better yourself.

 

And don’t be fooled by more pay and free healthcare,those are for in most cases for companies under the A freight contract like( YRC,ABF UPS)Not all companies that the drivers are represented by the teamsters are not in the same contract A lot are no better pay or benefits then non union drivers

 

I'm a retired teamsters steward. Not master freight. The teamsters have problems like an organization, however I have full benefits for my family and a pension. Yes the wages are outstanding 3k/wk take home and the work environment safe and pleasant. Did I mention I was retired.

 

I’m guessing you meant $3000 a month not a week right.

 

If I had any concerns at all about my ability to get and keep a good paying job as a driver, I might choose to subject myself to more rules, another boss, and extra expenses to get a marginally better-paying job.

I do not have that worry. I do not need or want to have anything to do with any union.

 

No you read it right the first time.