Negotiating wages

That is nothing like what chinatown posted. All loads, he wants inexperienced and experienced to be paid the same.
I like chinatown, Disagreeing with his opinion. The world isn't fair, neither should the pay versus experienced and inexperienced, On the flip side ( my opinion ) the world isn't fair and everyone gets paid the same.. lol
Pick and choose the employer wisely

 

I agree to a certain point, I do like the way our company pays us, I'm just glad we're not hourly.

 

Here's an example; All drivers at SouthernAg Carriers, Inc. top out at .40 cpm after 12 months. What's wrong with that? Seems fair to me.

Benefits:
BASE PAY
Long Haul Division:

• Pay
  0-6 months employment=.38 per mile plus fuel bonus program
  6 months-1 year of employment= .39 per mile plus fuel bonus program
  1 year+ of employment= .40 per mile plus fuel bonus program
• Average mileage 2200-3200
• 48 states, Less than 30 states on a regular basis
  AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TX, PA, OK, OH, VA,
• Expect home time between 10 to 12 days out
• Miles paid include loaded and deadhead computer miles, as dispatched.

LOADING/UNLOADING PAY
We do not encourage drivers to load or unload trailers. When it is necessary, the driver will be paid based on the amount paid by customer and approved by dispatcher. Documentation must be turned in with bill of lading.

 

Most things are negotiable, but you should first get some parameters established of what causes or not causes a discussion of higher wages. Fuel usage is a common item for bonuses. Also passing DOT inspections. Not delivering late or any list of items. Good Luck.

 

it is a shame companies have to offer bonuses for doing their job
I get nothing extra for getting better fuel mileage but respect from the owner
when i get back and say I want 5 days off instead of 2 nothing gets said
as nothing gets said if I pull in and there is a load in the yard waiting on me

bonus for a clean inspection should instead be reprisal or dismissal for bad inspections

 

I just had my annual review and got my full performance pay increase.. I will be due another one in 10 months..

I think that is fair.. I got my CDL in 2009 then a couple years ago I got off the road to take care of things at home.. then I returned to the road.. so, I really didnt have enough on my plate to negotiate with... but now, I have been back out on the road for 18 months.. and 1 year at werner...

The performance increase is a set increase.. so no negotiations... but, what I have noticed is that there is more opportunity within the company... for example.. a few months back I got a call from drivers placement reguarding a new account.. it didnt work for me so I passed on it.. I have never seen it on the driver placement board.. but, did talk to a driver who is running it and likes it a lot... it is only open to drivers with experience and no late loads, tickets or accidents. ..

 

Oh ok. Topping out is fine with me and I didn't realize that was what you meant. And it's completely fair. I don't expect to make more at my new company than someone who has been there longer. That's not what I was negotiating. And all that .02cpm difference means is that I'll top out sooner then someone who is making their base rate to start. I know my experience and skill level as well as my attention to detail are better than the average driver so why not ask to start at more then the average driver pay wise even if we'll both end up at the same place a few years down the road?

 

For the fuel/performance bonus I agree 100%. If the company, and the driver, are worth anything at all they'll care enough about each other to want to ensure each others' continued success. Because you know, down the road, that if the company is continually successful and profitable that will translate into better pay and benefits for everyone. Well, eventually.

 

I just had my annual review and got my full performance pay increase and I will be due another one in 10 months..

I think that is fair.. I got my CDL in 2009 then a couple years ago I got off the road to take care of things at home.. then I returned to the road.. so, I really didnt have enough on my plate to negotiate with... but now, I have been back out on the road for 18 months.. and 1 year at werner...

The performance increase is a set increase.. so no negotiations... but, what I have noticed is that there is more opportunity within the company... for example.. a few months back I got a call from drivers placement reguarding a new account.. it didnt work for me so I passed on it.. I have never seen it on the driver placement board.. but, did talk to a driver who is running it and likes it a lot... it is only open to drivers with experience and no late loads, tickets or accidents. ..

Then last week I get a call about another new account and opportunity that is in the works and will be available in the near future... this one I am interested in and will work for me.. so I hope it happens..

Anyway... I do strongly believe that a drivers performance and experince should account for something.. but, new drivers need to realize that months of experience is just a start... my first year was pretty much just getting from point A to point B safely and on time.. then in my 2nd year I started to become a more efficient driver.. able to get to point A to point B safely, on time and better fuel milage...

Now... I have much more understanding of things and able to run better... for example.. I am doing a dedicated run.. pretty simple gig.. I grab my loaded trailer run it to the drop yard and drop it..take my mandatory 30 minute break, grab my return load and head back, I drop my trailer at the terminal, fuel and am done... was talking to another driver who stops on the way there, again on the way back and sometimes twice... and they were compaining about their mpg and how I am always back way before them even though we start at the same time.. thought my truck wasnt governed.. lol.. yeah, thats why I am done sooner.. I am the only werner truck tearing down the road at 70mph and getting great mpg too... so, I explained that I dont stop.. no time wasted and no fuel wasted.. to which they replied that stopping doesn't affect mpg.. and most jobs give you a 15 minute break every two hours and a lunch break...

Now, We do start at the same time.. but I am usually done well over an hour before they are..

I know I am able to run more miles each week now, then I could my first year.. because I just wasnt as an effecient driver then as I am now... and I am sure in the future I will look back to now and realize I still had more to learn..

It use to perplex me how drivers making the same CPM could have such differeces in there weekly paychecks.. why one driver would consistently make more each week.... so I started paying attention to what the ones making the money were doing... and that is when I realized I could run more miles each week by being better organized and not making unnecessary stops....

I know it sucks for us new drivers.. and by new I mean less than 3 to 5 years experience... to admit that we got a lot of learning and honing to do..

 

I also disagree with Chinatown.

Some drivers will take any load any day anywhere (so long as it;s safe of course). Other drivers need to be home to feed the dogs, and they get lost and call me for directions, and they seem to always get tickets and blow tires and bring the trailer back with dents in it and often their car won't start so they can't go out that day and then they are late for the PU and delivery. It goes on and on, but somehow, other drivers do the same job and you don't hear a word from them.

The "low level" driver might be good enough to do a dedicated route where he doesn't have to think, but NO WAY he deserves the same money as a real driver. Yes I agree with the same base rate for drivers but the better ones will be bonused up the ying yang and can make $20 - $40k/yr more than the other guy and if the low level driver doesn't like it he is free to step up his game.

There are drivers and then there are Drivers. The Drivers should be paid accordingly IMO. At least that's how it's done around here.