Are you working for a driver service?

Slaves? Really? Who is "forcing" anybody to drive for these companies? What, are they holding their families hostage? Threatening to kill them?

Get a grip.

And of course companies would have to pay a fee (buy the contract) if they wish to hire the driver directly. That business model has been around for decades, supplying everyone from the receptionist to the president. It happens every day, all over the world. Welcome to the world of placement agencies.

 

Yes slaves, dont like the word?
Do you have another word to describe somebody or a company who "owns" you and sell you for a profit???

I understand what you are saying BUT does a new driver has a choice when he or she is ready to go into the work force???
Does he or she has a choice?

You people make me laugh when you say , "no big deal, I wont work for you if you make make me go thru an agency"

I know a lot of guys and gals that just finished their course, they are still looking for work and the only place they most probably find work is thru a "slave agency" for cheap just because they have no experience.

Thats the reality.

Modern slavery, no killings, no families held hostage, no forcing to take the work BUT if the newbie doesnt want to go there, they will have a harder time to find work.

They wont have a chance than to go thru those and get some seat time in order to find a better job later.... for a big carrier that uses ...slave brokers.

Just because this "business model" as you call it has been around for a long while, does it make it allright?

call it whatever you want I dont mind, when you sell or rent a driver "for profit" I call it slavery.

My opinion!

 

As lostNfound said, no one is making people work for these companies. Your idea of "slavery" is somewhat skewed. Every one wants to be a freakin victim nowadays, and thoughts like yours seem to perpetuate this idealism.

Having a harder time of getting that first driving job, and choosing to go through a "Driver Service" DOES NOT put one into slavery, and does not make one a victim. You are free to make your choices in this country.

 

\

I fail to see how you could equate a driver service to slavery...... If for any reason you feel as though you are being under paid (thats right they pay you) why would you work there? I sell and rent myself out daily for profit as an independent. What does that make me??? Some kind of slave master prostitute..........wow I feel dirty all of the sudden

 

Who said I was playing victim?
I dont work for an agency and wont.
ever! pretty simple huh.

But how many young drivers are obligated to do it in order to get some experience?

How many drivers have no choice because the region they live have only trucking firms that will only use these agencies?

They dont have that luxury to chose and move away their families.

I just dont accept that crap like that goes on thats all, you call it "free entreprise" I call this BS "slavery".
I agree with you, it's not a pretty politicaly correct word but that's what it is.

We hear people protesting about swet shop operators, they take advantage of people the same way these people do with drivers yet it became allright.

 

No you offer a service, the same a carpenter or electrician on his or her own does.

 

These are temp. services and I'm pretty sure their are laws that govern them, in Ontario they can only place you for three months, after that the company has to hire you or the temp. agency has to find you another placement.
How do they get away with thes permanent placements I have no idea but they are doing so.

 

Sorry, Tradeup .... have to disagree.

Years ago, I may have agreed with you. Nowadays, in the current economic climate, and with the shortage of good jobs out there, drivers services can fill a void.

Firstly, I have been trucking for almost my whole career, working for some great companies over the years out of Toronto. Then my wife and I moved to Northern Ontario, where good trucking jobs are scarce, and by "good trucking jobs" I mean ones that pay over $15/hr. .... yes, that is considered good money in these parts. Due to this fact, I decided to take on other jobs in the area, municipal jobs that pay well, or other union jobs, but not driving jobs per se. After one layoff and the end of a contract position, I found myself unemployed ..... for 16 months! .... half of those months without pogey. Not nice, and with age being a factor (yes, age discrimination is rampant out there) it has been a challenge to get back in the driver's seat. Seems every single trucking company now is quoting "we need more recent experience" if you've been out of the driver's seat for longer than 2 years. This could very well translate into "sorry, we don't hire older guys" I don't know, nor can one ever know, but, it was a driver service that finally gave me the chance to get back on the road, and I will tell you, the experience has been nothing less than stellar.

Without going into giving names of companies, I have worked with quite a few excellent companies, and because I work for a driver service out of Toronto, the pay is much higher than full-time guys are getting up here working for regular companies here in the area. Not only that, after 3 months I get benefits from this driver service. They paid me for the Civic holiday, which they did not legally have to do. I have driven some beautiful Navi's, some new Volvo automatics, and even some Peterbilt "condos" ..... beautiful rigs. BUT, the main thing is. I have been NETWORKING with other drivers out on the road, and as a result, have ended up going on a couple of interviews for full time work, but unfortunately, these companies here that were looking for these full-time drivers could NOT MATCH THE PAY SCALE OF THIS DRIVER SERVICE!!

The current company that I'm contracted to is classified under 'Federal' jurisdiction, so they do not receive overtime until after 60 hours! I receive it after 44 hours with the driver service. Hello. I am meeting all kinds of great people, and enjoy this contract work immensely. I work Monday to Friday, anywhere from 7-8AM to 5-6PM, and I'm home every single night having dinner with the wife. Weekends off, including long weekends. And I'm paid weekly, by direct deposit!

Sorry, say what you will, but as they say at McDonalds, "I'm Lovin' It"!

This driver service, and this 'professional' driver service I might add, has really treated me well, better than most companies, and I'm happy that they gave me the chance to "re-show" my driving skills, and the companies that I'm working out of are very impressed as well. Sometimes us older dudes have the best work ethic, and we also show up for work on a daily basis.

The networking I am now doing out there will no doubt end up with me securing a full time job with a reputable company, paying a living wage. Good things come to those who wait, and I'm raking in some coin in the meantime. A good driver is a good driver is a good driver. Know what I'm saying?

Sorry if I've shattered your view of driver services, in fact, I am so glad I found these guys.

Second to none, believe me.