Teamsters?

Actually, money is not everything.

I am not a enemy of the Union, however I have witnessed both Union and Non Union have unique problems in and around the Baltimore area depending on what you are involved in.

I value freedom more than money. If you give a semi truck and trailer to me with a expensive load and told me to call in when I get to California in 6 days or whatever date I need to be there, and otherwise not be bothered all the way there, I'll be a very happy driver.

Some of my biggest conflicts are in direct rebellion to attempts by dispatch to micromanage the situation all day, every day. Basically do you want me to run this truck or not? You drive it yourself then if you are so interested in the work. It costs time when I have to deal with dispatch and vice versa. Time better spent dealing with someone who actually has a problem like a fault code on his engine or something. If I need you I'll call you. But not before.

I have a feeling that drivers who require a freedom to work unencumbered by micromanagement is going to be history if things keep going the way they are going. Im more than happy to send a small brief about the coming 30 hours and plans and so on. But that's subject to change. The blizzard in the dakotas might close the interstate for a time requiring a wait. We don't know until we actually get there and find out if it's open or not.

That is my biggest beef usually, the dispatcher thinking that the driver regardless of the work place situation has no freedom whatsoever. At that kind of micromanagement, it's a liability and there is no point in trying to get anything done. Hand the dispatcher the truck and let them do it.

The other part of Union, is that from my experience, there is a long house on the dock, you report there each morning before start of workday. If you are a good worker and valued, your name will be called and off to work you go. Have a great day!

If there is a problem you will sit there and not be called. Zero dollars for the day. If I am going to lose a day I'll spend the time doing something else thank you very much. Hence freedom is more valuable than money to me.

 

Excellent post and I agree 100%.

 

How are all those promises to life long Schneider drivers working out?

How are those union pension funds doing?

Lipstick on a pig industry if you ask me. You are guaranteed nothing past the split second you are reading this.

 

Lots of people bring up freedom and not being micromanaged at non union companies, yet it is only non union companies getting driver facing cameras.

Now, I am biased towards union companies. But there are some decent non union companies, especially in LTL. But im sure they wouldn't pay as well if none of their competitors were unionized.

 

There are quite of few pension funds doing just fine.

Mine is doing great! But im not in a multi employer fund thank goodness!

 

Then stick to an employer who doesn't offer benefits. Problem solved!

 

Schnieder Transport is still alive and kicking as those guys retire they are not replaced so yes schnieder transport will die or may have already.
My union pension is fine and I'm in a mepf.

 

I guess my point was...although some are doing fine....for now....nothing is guaranteed and no one should really expect or depend on anything at this point....or make decisions based on potentially empty promises of future goodies. I have no faith....in this.

 

If all you want is a wage and that’s it you shouldn’t have any concern there are plenty of those jobs out here.

 

Well that’s the part of the debate that makes no sense to me.Your banking on the thought that pensions won’t be around so just go get a job that’s not even offering one.Then yes you definitely won’t have one.