Union history?

I can tell you if you interview at a non-union LTL outfit you will be asked. As far as a OTR position I really don’t think it would ever come up unless you offered the info. As you stated though, and I feel rightfully so, if called out on it I wouldn’t lie. There have been a few instances at the LTL outfit I was at where it almost seemed the background check was not fully complete once a guy started. I’ve seen them let go guys after a week or so of them working for something that came up on their background. While I personally do not have a opinion on the Union either way, the non-Union LTL companies absolutely do, and if it came back you were hiding that, especially with how high you climbed the ladder, I am without doubt they would let you go. It may not be on grounds of that solely, but they’d nit pick something like you not double knotting your boots and causing a safety violation or something equally as petty.

 

Avoid the question if possible.
Maybe say, "Needed the job really bad; it was union which is not my cup of tea, but family first."
I worked for a company one time that wouldn't hire anyone with tattoos; even one tattoo was too many.
Wore a long sleeved shirt, because I have military tattoos on both arms.
Was hired and about a year later the terminal manager saw a tattoo peeping from under my shirt sleeve.
He said, "If I'd known you have tattoos, wouldn't have hired you. But, you are one of our best drivers, so you're safe."
I was asked about unions, so I gave the answer they wanted to hear, "If this company ever votes in the union, I quit."
One of the drivers was an ex-convict and had tattoos of the KKK and Hells Angels and the company didn't find out for years. Someone saw the KKK tattoo and snitched on him. He faked enragement and denied that is what the tattoo represented. he even had me convinced he was insulted. The terminal manager, said something like, "OK, OK, everything is cool."

 

I’ve interviewed at a bunch of companies and am working for my 5th and have never been asked about union affiliation nor has the word ever been mentioned

 

I have and always give the answer they want to hear. Same with integrity interviews. Any time you're interviewing with a company that gives integrity interviews; hit up Google for the correct answers.

 

Which union?

Some unions are worth every penny the members pay, while most are worthless and should not even exist.

The real issue for this industry is a union will stifle it, the structure isn't one that has enough flexibility to serve the customer and the driver.

 

Of the maybe 25 trucking jobs I've had, only one was union. It was for Brownberry Foods, ( then Best Foods, now Bimbo, snicker, I think). Without a doubt, the best job of them all, but it wasn't for me. The union was IAMAW, and why bread bakers and truck drivers had a machinists and aerospace union, I'll never know, it seemed like a very weak branch to begin with. I don't think they knew what truck drivers went through, and gradually, after I quit, outside carriers came in, and the union drivers were out. I think there was a time when unions did help the worker, but today, with all the HOS rules, electronic logs, better equipment and such, I just don't think they're needed. They sure were a crybaby bunch, with their petty demands and all and I wanted nothing to do with them. Those drivers had it made and cut their own throats.

 

I look at it differently- Oh Hey Terry- It usually wont even come up in conversation

Drivers NEED some sort of representation, And Im not talking about some cheesy OOIDA .

WAY TOO MANY carriers have been underpaying-coercing,badmouthing,overworking drivers far too long.

Drivers Need support on their backs. Nobody has their Back-Especially your typical 50 to 5000 truck irregular route carrier.

Ive been saying this for years....The Carriers that are AGAINST driver representation-Are the carriers that are Greedy with their Bottom Lines- And thats a fact.

Does it Need to be 705-710 Teamsters? Maybe Yes,Maybe Not- All i Know is,Drivers are Human Beings-With Families and Lifetime Plans- They Need Securement with Representation with Reasonable Benefits to carry them through.

 

Why would they ask you if you were in a union? all they have to do is look at your employment history, then you won't have to lie about it.

 

You are fine. Everyone I have talked to obviously knows I was a union driver and nobody has had a problem with it.