Non Competition Agreements for Hauling Crude

What company is this?

 

I believe that non-competes are generally Un-enforceable. They'd have to sue, and a good attorney would counter that the non-compete clause is unconscionable.

 

Never heard of it in trucks......it's likely a stop gap measure to prevent you from jumping ship for a better deal.

I'd say no......you don't have to sign if you're already working and if it's a condition of employment then no......

Drivers are at a premium right now and they are trying to make their problem your problem. If they are so worried then they can pay more to retain you......

JMO

 

I can see having a non-compete clause where intellectual property is at stake...but if you're just a driver, you aren't going to be taking any "trade secrets" with you, like you might as an engineer or anyone else in the research & development wing of any company.

I sure as heck wouldn't sign any non-compete clause...especially not if I had alternative job offers which did not have the requirement. If they aren't paying me, they have no say in what I'm doing to earn a living. The day they stop paying me, I'm free to work for the highest bidder.

 

As windsmith said, non-competes are 99% worthless when it comes to actually enforcing them. Except for very specific situations (and a truck driver ain't one), odds are very good that it won't be a problem even if you break it.

 

I searched for Texas non compete law, you may want to do the same and read the findings.

I signed one years ago, after two years resigned and they tossed it at me and said my new employer was competition and they would file a lawsuit. Which I told them to pack sand and see you in court, also infringing on my civil rights of lawful employment. Few letters from the old company and threatening me I went to a lawyer and showed her the letters. She responded to them and no more threats came after that.

 

Act like the big corporations, sign the deal and do what is best for you after. I think it's still a free country. You can work anywhere you want.

 

I think when they say "Non-compete", they are talking about you walking away after learning the routine and starting up your own crude hauling company. But I could be wrong. Most "Non-compete" clauses are included in the contracts when one company sells out to another. They toss in the "non-compete" with usually a 5 year limitation on the time.

If you are going to haul crude in West Texas, personally, I would suggest you check out Oxy Chemical, whom is hiring for the Midland/Odessa area, as well as Hobbs NM and Levelland TX or Sunoco Logistics, who are hiring just about state-wide. The other company I would suggest, if you don't want to work for a major, would be Permian Crude Transport out of Midland. They are hiring for not only the Midland / Odessa area, but for the "Eagle Ford" area as well. If you look at working the Eagle Ford, Dupre Logistics would be right there with Permian as a company to talk with.

There are dozens of trucking companies hiring drivers to haul crude in Texas (as well as else where). Some like those I put down, treat you right. Then there are others that will use you, abuse you and when they are done with you, kick you in the butt. There are some that will short your pay and smile while they do it. Be aware of that.

If the company, any company for that matter, does not meet the prevailing wage for the area as far as the current "Boom" is concerned, "Watch your back Jack" applies to them.