Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

Thanks Wolfie and it's good to be back even if only part time. I'm still in limbo here and trying to weather the storm. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

The morning wakeup call got me going after a night of restless sleep. I did my morning constitution, showered, shaved, and dressed. Yep, I was ready as I was going to be, as I sashayed out. The drive to my office was short and uneventful. You know, I only had to stay on the access road, hang a U-turn under the overpass, and drive less then a 1,000 feet. Yep, from the TLX yard I could see right across the freeway and look over at the motel. Yep, if the Interstate wasn't so busy I could of sashayed over. Anyway, I parked in my reserved spot and headed straight for the break room. It was still early and none of the other employees had made it in yet. My first chore was to flip on the automatic coffee urn. You know, it was one of those big commercial sized that brewed a couple of gallons at a time. I added the cream and sugar, before sampling my handy work. It was a decent cup of coffee, if I do say so myself. Anyway, I made it back to my office and sat behind my desk, as the front door opened. It was Trainer Bill and he was right on time, so I sat and sized him up. He was a good six foot, slender in build, neat in appearance and in his late 30's. I motioned him over and stood to greet him.

I offered my paw, " I guess we haven't met ? I'm Barney Goose and .."

Bill jumped right in, " I know who you are and it's a pleasure to meet you. If you don't mind, that coffee sure smells good. Do you mind if..."

I pointed, " Go ahead and pour yourself a cup ! We can take a minute, before we get started. "

I made sure to eye scan him over for any bulges. You know, any hidden weapons, such as guns, knives, or whatever. Yep, if fur was going to fly, or poo was going to hit the fan. Well, you know what I mean. It didn't take him long and he took a seat in front of me.

Bill took a sip, " Man ! That's good coffee ! So, what's up ? "

I opened the folder, " Well, I've been looking over your resume and I have a couple of questions. Let's see, you worked at Acme Trucking School and before that were an owner operator leased to Old England ..."

Bill tooted his horn, " Yes sir ! I was a trainer there and that's what got me interested in becoming an Instructor. I only had a few hours left to complete my State Certification, at Acme. Well, they laid me off, before I could finish getting my required 120 hours. You know how that goes ! Well anyway, I can have Art send in my paperwork. Yep, Art and I go back a long ways and he's good people ! "

I lit up, " Yeah ! Art is a good man and he sure knows his business. I'm happy that he's here and he sure treats the students good. They love him and swear he's the best Instructor you could ever ask for. Now, let me ask you something and be honest with me ! "

Bill was confident, " Ask away ! If it's about working days I'm ready ! That second shift is killing me ! "

I stood, " Let me shut this door ! I don't want us to be interrupted. Now, that's better ! Oh, the reason I called you in early hasn't got anything to do, with what shift your on. Nope ! It's has more to do, with a problem that has come to my attention. Now, I'm going to ask your opinion and I want your input. "

Bill was all ears, " Anything, that I can do to help ! You can ask Art and he'll tell you, I'll try to help out anytime that I can ! "

I grinned, " I'm glad to hear that ! Now, here's the deal ! Let's say, that your in my position and trying to run a decent school. Then let's say, that one of your staff is accused of trying to extort money. Now, ..."

Bill's eyes filled with fear, " Your kidding me ! Who is it ? I know it's not Art and you can bet on that ! Now, I haven't been here, but a few weeks and don't know the other guys that well. Are you sure that .."

I gave the look, " Oh, I know who it is alright ! Yep, I was just wondering, what you'd do ? You know, some lowlife, worthless piece of crap, that comes in and ..."

Bill shook his head, " Well I'd sure be certain, before I trusted anything that one of those students has to say ! You know, they lie and try to get even, if any of us do our jobs. "

I leaned over my desk, " Oh, I'm certain alright and you can bet, that this Idiot is as stupid as they come ! You know, it's not that hard to prove. All I did, was let him hang himself ! Now explain to me, how you ever thought that you'd get away with it ? "

Bill turned pale, " I haven't done anything ! If your talking about me kidding around and ..."

I'd heard enough, " Look ! I've got four sworn statements, from four different students ! I've got two other students that swear they already paid you ! Now, I'm going to give you a choice ! You can resign and kiss your final paycheck goodbye ! Now, if you ever and I mean ever, try to get a job, working with students again. Well, don't ! I'll notify the DPS and ..."

Bill jumped up, " You better back off me and ...."

So, the fight was on. Yep, ole Bill had ears the size of an elephant's. I grabbed one each and tried my best to pull them out by their roots. Now, I will give Bill credit, because he did try to fight back. Yep, if it hadn't been for those head handles and the rage factor. You know, I was mad enough to kill the guy. Well, mad enough to break some ribs and maybe poke an eyeball out. Yep, we bounced around and ended up on the floor. Of course, I was sitting on his chest and had hand my hands wrapped around his skinny neck. He turned a reddish purple and then a shade of pale. I was so into it, that I never heard the door being kicked in. Yep, they pulled me off and saved ole Bill's life. Well, I guess they did. You know, I never was much for killing anyone. I'm pretty sure that Bill might disagree, but .. Well, you know what I mean. What a deal, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Way to go champ! Sounds like the POS needed some knowledge bumps applied to his crooked head.

 

Yep Big Duker, ole Bill had it coming and I sure gave it to him, as Life Goes On.

I knew that something was up when Crook Junior had called and invited me to lunch. Nope, not at Mikey Dee's ! Yep, it was at Junior's Country Club and that meant putting on the dog. No, I didn't wear a dog wrapped around my neck. It's an old English term, about placing the hunting hounds in back of the horse drawn carriage. You know, for the fox hunts. They'd be all dressed up in their red jackets. No, not the dogs ! The fox hunters ! Now, come on Snazzers ! Anyway, I swung up the manicured drive and the valet took over for me. You know, he handed me a parking stub and raced away with my company car. I hadn't sashayed far when Junior swung in behind the wheel of his two seater Mercede's. Of course, the top was down and Junior looked tan and fit. I greeted him, as we made our way inside the white pillared mansion. The dinning hall was a huge area dripping with money. You know, the walls were displaying paintings brushed by their original artist, stuffed animal heads overlooked above with snooty expressions, and fancy silverware topped the white table cloths. What a deal ! The red jacket seated us next to the bay window and placed diapers across our laps. I felt as out of place, as a mutt in a blue ribbon contest.

Junior read over the menu, " The roasted duck sounds good to me. How about you Barney ? "

I tried to make funny, " I didn't hear him say anything ! Snicker, snicker, snicker..."

Junior ignored me, " We'll have the roasted Duck and I'll have a vodka martini on the rocks. Barney ? "

I smacked my gums, " A Koors in a bottle and hold the ice ! Snicker, snicker, snicker..."

Junior was all business, " So Barney ! How have you been ? I've been meaning to get with you, but ..."

I interrupted, " I heard, that you've been busy and that's alright. There really isn't much I need. The school is doing just fine and we're..."

Junior jumped in, " Well, I might as well tell you ! Your days at the school are over and ......"

I gave the look, " Wait a minute ! What do you mean ? That school is doing fine and ..."

Junior agreed, " Oh, it's doing real good and there's not a problem ! It's just that I need you to handle something for me. Now, this is something that I wouldn't trust with just anyone. It's going to take some doing and your the first man that I thought of. "

The Red Jacket reappeared, " Your vodka sir and Domestic beer for you. I'll return shortly with your main course. "

Junior stirred, " Now, where was I ? Oh, the situation is a bit complicated and you'll have to use some tact, along with your best judgment. It's not too bad yet, but we can't allow it to fester. "

I took a swig, " Fester ? What is it a giant boil ? "

Junior giggled, " He, he he, your a Hoot ! Now Barney, the most important thing is to keep from having any bloodshed. If we have to get the State Police involved, we will. Those Union Drivers think that I'm going to bow down and give in. Well, boy are they wrong ! I want you to kick butt and take names ! They've already damaged company equipment and .."

I gave the look, " Hold on ! What Union ? Texas is a right to work State and we don't have Unions. Well we do, but their so weak and don't have any rights. You know, they can strike, but you can fire them and..."

Junior rolled his eyes, " This is in Michigan and trust me ! They have more rights than you'd ever imagine ! It's a sticky situation and you'll have to fly out there and..."

Red Jacket brought the silver tray, " Roasted Duck, simmered in cranberry juice, with a Ol'e Grotten potatoes. Is there anything else gentlemen ? "

I eyed the platter, " I didn't order any Old Rotten potatoes ! "

Red Jacket smirked, " Very funny sir ! Enjoy your meal ! "

I dug in, " So, you want me to fly out there and workout some kind of deal, with them ? I mean, shouldn't your lawyer. or someone else be doing that ? I don't know anything about Union laws, or ...."

Junior cut his duck, " No ! We're handling all the labor talks by conference calls. I just need you out there to keep the peace. You know, keep the terminal open and oversee things. We can't let them shut us down and tear the place up ! Just, find out whose behind it. you know, the trouble makers and vandals. I can fire them and have em put in jail, if I need to. You just get out there and see waht you can do ! "

So, I agreed to. Yep, it didn't sound all that bad. I mean, it wasn't the first time a labor dispute had happened. Yep, they go on all the time and usually end without much fuss. You know, both sides always claim they got what they wanted. Yep, what could go wrong ? I'll just fly out there and handle it, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

My red eyed flight to Detroit wasn't a late night flight. Nope, it landed there just after noon, but I was as red eyed as they come. Yep, I still enjoyed getting a snoot full at twenty thousand feet. I sashayed into the terminal and reported to the desk. The rental clerk handed me the keys to a late model Lincoln and I was on my way. Yep, the old VIP service with a smile. I wasn't exactly sure where I was headed. I mean, the hotel was somewhere close to the airport, but that took in quite a bit of area. There was one of them map dillies that was suppose to guide you to your destination. I fingered it and followed my nose where it lead me. Yep, I was lost as a kitten in the woods and not sure where I was at. Just as I was about to give up a sign caught my eye. Yep, there was the TLX trucking banner hanging over the terminal entrance. I swung in and stopped at the gate. There was a crowd of angry strikers all carrying signs and chanting something. The guard eyed my TLX photo ID and made a call, before allowing me in. The gate swung open and the site took me back. Yep, there were rows and rows of 53 footers, all with TLX banners lined up , along with several hundred newer model tractors. Yep, this was a fair sized outfit. Another security guy escorted me upstairs to the manager's office. The building was still under construction and the inside was impressive. Yep, this was a state of the art facility that any business would of been proud of.

I sat in a stuffed leather chair waiting for whoever was to greet me. Yep, there were Trucking Magazines, Wall Street Journals, and Sports Illustrated all stacked up on a glass table. I thumbed through a couple, but didn't find anything of interest. A tall lady wearing high heels escorted me back. The General Manager was an older fella, wearing a rumpled suit, and chewing on an unlit cigar. His receding white hair matched the bushy eyebrow that covered both his eyes. He had a firm handshake and a deep husky voice. I sat facing his large oak desk, as he sat behind it.

He spoke first, " I wasn't expecting you until sometime tomorrow, but I'm happy your here. I'm Doug Inn and I'm the General Manager here. Mr Crook said, that your the best man he has and he sure spoke highly of you. "

I blushed, " Well, I guess we'll see about that. I'm Barney Goose and I'm glad to meet you. Now, I'm a little behind times and ..."

Doug was all in the know, " It's the same old story here ! We offered one of the best contracts they ever had and the Union wants more. Now, like I keep telling Mr Crook. If we stick to our guns they'll have to come around ! They know it and I know it ! "

I lit up a 100, " Well, I'm not here about that ! I'm only here to see that no TLX equipment gets damaged and your able to keep things going. "

Doug lit his cigar, " Do what ? We can't stay in operation ! Oh I forget, that down there in Texas you fellas don't have to deal with unions. Well, up here we do ! They have a right to strike and we have to deal with them. Now, it shouldn't take that long. I'm pretty sure that by Christmas we'll have things ....."

I blew smoke, " CHRISTMAS ! Are you nuts ! That's two months away and I'm not sticking around here that long ! Now like I said, I'm not suppose to get involved with any of the negotiations, but something better give. This is silly and costing everyone ...."

Doug blew smoke, " Well, we had it all settled, but that one sticking point keeps popping up. They won't budge and we can't give in ! "

I had to ask, " What is it ? Better pay ? Safer working conditions ? Health care benefits ? What is it ? "

Doug rolled his eyes, " It's the #### maintenance issue ! They won't give an inch and ....."

I gave the look, " MAINTENANCE ! What the hell ! Ya'll want the drivers to maintenance the equipment ? That's nuts ! They shouldn't have to..."

Doug explained, " No, we do the maintenance here ! It's really simple and their making a big deal out of nothing. Their refusing to do anything and that's where we're at. "

I didn't get it , " What exactly is it ? I mean, is it adjusting the air brakes, or what ? "

Doug pulled one out of his drawer, " It's this ! A stinking tail light ! They won't even change a bulb ! It's crazy ! I can't understand it and .."

I rolled my eyes, " You mean, to tell me, that this whole outfit is shut down, because of a stupid...."

Doug swore, " That's where we're at and that's the truth ! Here ! Take this contract and go over it. I've high lightened the disputed part. That's what is holding us up. "

So, I took the contract from Doug and got directions to my hotel. I sat in my room and started reading the whole thing. You know, it was full of legalized bull hockey. Party of the first part, hereby, there forth, and so on. Yep, it was as thick as a New York phone book and about as boring to read. Well, sure enough in chapter seven, verse 24, of article 6, it stated that blah, blah, blah..., The employee of the first part, shall be responsible, for any lighting of said company equipment, and thus forth be required to replace and maintain, any such defective device with said approved replacement, at current market price, as dictated by fair market value, as determined by the retail price, as associated with the then current market value, which will be ......., I reread the gobbley-gook at least ten times and started getting blurred vision. Well, some of it was caused, by the seven stiff drinks that I gulped down. Anyway, I still couldn't believe that grown men would be at logger's heads over such a none issue. I mean, walking off a job and bringing things to a stand still over a stinking bulb ? Man ! These guys weren't playing with a full deck. So, I decided to play peace maker and use common sense. I mean, this was silly and ..., Well, you know what I mean, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Could be worse Barney. Could be trying to get in Javits Center in NYC. They don't even offer you K Y.

 

Yep Big Duker, some of them outfits are just plain nuts, as Life Goes On.

I arrived at the Union Hall a little before 8 am. Yep, I'd called to get their side of the story. The place was located in a seedy area of downtown and I'm sure it had seen better days. It looked to be an old movie theater that had been converted into a meeting hall. Two large fellas stood guard at the entrance and gave me the third degree, before escorting me back. We passed by the lobby area. You know, where there use to be large glass counters filled with candy bars, popcorn, and soda machines. I stepped through the draped doorway and began my decent. You know, like you do when your entering a movie house. Yep, the floor tilted forward and rows of seats were on either side of me. Now, I wasn't the most agile footed creature ever born. Yep, for some reason sashaying at a tilt always was difficult for me. I mean, I'd get a head of steam up and not be able to stop where I wanted to. Yep, there was a long table setup at the bottom, with several big whig Union Officials seated. Well, I was like a bowling ball making a strike. Yep, I sailed head first right over the table and ended up with my legs stuck straight up in the air. My entrance didn't go unnoticed, as papers flew and men ran for their lives. Once things settled down, I was allowed to hear the latest news, about the strike. All the Union Guys looked and sounded the same. Yep, they were all wearing dark suits, with round badges pinned on their chest, and uttering slogans about being united. I was impressed, but wanted to get to the meat of things.

I took a seat, " Hey fellas ! I'm Barney Goose and ..."

Union Man interrupted me, " We know who you are and you've got some nerve coming in here ! We don't have to listen to anything that..."

I jumped in, " Your right ! I'm just here to get an idea of what's going on and try to ..."

Another Union Guy spoke up, " Your wasting your breath ! We don't have to give you the time of day ! "

I agreed, " Ya'll are right, but at least hear me out. Now, this strike isn't doing anyone any good. So can't we try to work things out ? I mean, you have to admit that nit picking over nothing....."

The Third Union Guy was lathered up, " Nothing ! Nothing ! You think that screwing a working man out of his pay is nothing ? "

I backed up, " No ! I think ya'll should get paid and it seems me, that TLX has been more than fair. It's this silly tail light thing that needs to..."

Union Guy rolled his eyes, " That's just it ! TLX wants us to make repairs and not pay us for it ! We're not mechanics and ...."

I lit a 100, " Now, come on ! You mean to tell me, that ya'll aren't willing to change a bulb, without making a federal case out of it ? Gees ! What does it take, five minutes ? Man ! "

Union Man tried to educate me, " Look, Mr Goose ! We're reasonable men and this may sound silly, but it's not ! Here's the deal ! Say your in our position and we vote to accept this contract as it is. Your being paid by the mile and have to abide by all of the rules. Well, halfway through your run, you discover an equipment defect. Now, in order to fix it, you have to stop at an authorized location. We as drivers, don't have a say where the company allows us to stop. Well, your stuck with no good options and that's a fact ! "

I blew smoke, " Wait a minute ! We're talking about a bulb ! I mean, can't you just pull over and change it ? It's not like your having to overhaul the engine, or pulling out the transmission. Can't you...."

Union Guys all spoke at once, " You TLX guys think that we don't deserve to get paid ! That's the whole deal ! We only get paid to drive and if we have to be mechanics too.... "

I'd heard enough, " Alright ! Okay ! Then what is it you want ? I mean, let's say the company gives in and ...."

Union Man piped up, " We make an average of $33.00 per hour and that's less, than what a mechanic makes ! We should get ...."

I went postal, " Ya'll are getting what ? THIRTY THREE DOLLARS ! Are ya'll nuts ? I've got guys working for a nickel per mile ! They top out at 30 cents and average about $18 per hour ! Man ! You fellas are nuts ! This is crazy and I can see why Crook Junior won't give in ! "

So, my attempt at using some common sense failed. Yep, I tried to see both sides of the issue , but it was clear to me. The Union was a bunch greedy bass turds and the company wasn't any better. Yep, TLX wouldn't of even paid drivers, if they didn't have to. I mean, at the least the Union tried to get drivers a decent wage and better working conditions. But, somehow they'd gotten as bad as the company. Yep, both sides didn't try to work out a reasonable solution. You know, something that was fair and benefited both sides. Oh no, they both wanted to get ... Well, you know what I mean. Yep if it wasn't for greed, this old world would sure be a better place, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Hope your doin alright! Just wanted to say I miss the thread when you don't write. Hope you come back soon! Alllab

 

Yeah, a day without a Snazzy update is like a day without booze, drugs and trashy women.



Git yer ### back in here Snazzy, I'm starting to get the DT's.

 

Amen Brother!! No home, don't know whats next, I know exactly what you mean! But Hey the Sky's the limit!