How much of a pay cut would you accept?

our company cut 20% of its office staff, then they built a new terminal, then put into effect a indefinete pay freeze for all personel with 1yr or more. we have not bought any new trks in almost 2 yrs. solo's went from a steady 3200 miles a week to 1800-2000 and teams will run 1 wk of 6500 then 4800 all the way down to 3000 or less then start the next month over. I know im looking becuase some of these companies want to cut wages, miles and all other things, but these exect's wont take a pay cut, and alot of the spending in the offices is ridiculous, we take the hit so they can keep flying that company jet and play golf. they call us stupid yet most of us now how to spend money wisely. sorry, ill stop, getting on a rant and dont need to. never been a big fan of company exect's.

 

Where's mine??????

 

It could be in Canton, MS.

Waiting on the Post Office to get back from their 4 day weekend....like that ##$# package I mailed last Monday, to Columbia, MS.

 

I believe you are misinformed. The ONLY cut I know of SNI has made, and it's been public knowledge for months now, was regarding the 401k contribution match. AND, someone mentioned office staff taking a cut: All office and shop staff to take a week off at differing times over the remainder of the year. If you're going to make SNI accusations, you should get your facts straight first. Yes, I will defend SNI because since in my dealings with them, they've been the straightest shooters I've seen in this business when it comes to telling it as it is.

Now, all that said, it could be that you know something I don't. I'm not saying I have all the info. If I'm mistaken, kindly point out where and tell me how you have said information.

 

I don't have a dog in the fight. But the first job I ever held, was a production based job. I worked my way into management rather quickly, and learned the ropes of reducing wages, without reducing the upfront numbers of a persons stated pay.

And SNI sure took that lesson seriously. It has its benefits, as well as its negatives.

While it may not have a direct impact on the overall payroll. It does have a direct impact on driver earnings.

Drivers are "production" based workers. Reducing the top speed, reduces the maximum amount a driver can earn per day/week/month/year.

It also helps spread what work is available, among other workers.

So to simply say that SNI has not reduced driver pay, is misleading and truthful at the same time.

They didn't reduce driver pay. They simply reduced the drivers ability to earn that pay in the same amount time.

This benefits the largest number of employees, and the company.

So there has been a reduction in driver pay. But no reduction in stated pay per mile, or overall driver payroll.

 

As always, your post is insightful and well thought. In SNI's case, they pay a mileage bonus. The mileage bonus, when achieved, according to my math and info, offsets the loss caused by speed reduction. What truly affects whether or not a person gets the bonus is more to do with idling time, out of route miles, and out of route fuel solutions.

I can see the non-match in the 401 as reduction to the "overall" picture since it does effectually reduce "total" compensation, but I can't see in the near-sight picture as the 401 money isn't a readily available source of income unless you're close to retirement. And if you are, kudos to you. I'd like to be so lucky, but for now, I've more dues to pay before I can hang up the work life.

My original post, if only to me, was more of a defending SNI thing than a technical thing. SNI takes a bad rap sometimes from folks who truly don't have an inside line on SNI. I know some folks have had less than an ideal situation with them, but I've not experienced that. I also know quite a few folks who left SNI for greener pastures only to return later and more than glad to be back.

 

All very true.

Personally, I couldn't work for them. But they have their place in the market, just like Wal-Mart.

At the end of the day, all jobs are measured by your own personal level of satisfaction with that job. It doesn't matter what name is on the door.

 

Sorry. Didn't mean to come off "over the top" so to speak.

SNI did the above as have many companies. Choice is closed to new operators, but it remains open for operators running mileage currently. If a Choice operator leaves, a spot opens up and the waiting list rotates one spot. I run Choice, and I can tell you they couldn't run me off with a stick. It's a great program for me personally. I know other's who it didn't work out for so great, but that's a matter of personal needs as with any job. As for idling trucks, not so. SNI has parked a few to replace but is currently still hiring experienced drivers. To my knowledge, not one single driver has been laid off. The rest of it to me, just makes good business sense.

Things are tough all over at the moment. I don't know who you run for, but it sounds as if they, just as most are, are in survival mode. Some things just make good business sense.

Yep. I'd have to agree that working for less is better than not working at all.

 

I'd take pretty much whatever cut I had to to keep the company going. However, this is the first company that I have worked for where I would say that. So this company has built up a lot of good will with me and the national downturn is undeniable. Luckily (or through smart decisions and hard work) we are very busy right now so I don't see cuts happening in the near future. The question will be is this just a Memorial Day to Labor Day surge, or can we sustain these freight levels...

Before my current company, my rule of thumb was that if there was a pay cut to take it, keep working, but also look hard to find a new job.