Trade status for Drivers.

How many years would you think it would take, to become a certified trade union driver?
4?
Like Plumbers, Mechanics and other journymen?
For 17 years I was a heavy equipment operator......front end loader, excavator and bulldozer. I can no longer find work due to a "trade certification" requirement.
To get one for the above equipment , I would have to take 3 courses at a cost of 9 - 12 grand a pop........not going to happen!
I called the IUOE local where I live to join. I'm in the middle of 2 districts, both are same distance apart from me, approx 2 hrs.
The one has no openings for new members, the other has openings but was ticked off that " I tried to go behind the other districts office".
I am same distance apart!! The secratary told me it was fine to join either!
I don't think unions are worth the $975.00 price tag to join. I can't afford what the requirement are, to stay working as an operator.
I called a trucking outfit close to home and they will take me on as a company driver. Once I get a FAST card.

 

12.50 in the patch?
ok i am going to take that with a grain of salt--

 

Bottom line is we need to be classed as SKILLED LABOUR. That makes a huge difference. Having to apprentice to become a Journeyman driver would keep many of the bottom feeding idiots out.

If you do not think we are skilled labour then you need to take a close look at all of the things we do in a day. We are doing many parts of many skilled trade jobs. So why are we not a skilled trade?

 

Truck drivers as a whole are basically treated like second class citizens. We work for no where near what we are worth. We put 70+ hours in a week only to come home with an average check and no time to enjoy it. Even local drivers work for pennies when you consider all the stops they have, the traffic all day, etc. Truck drivers are worth much more than what most companies are willing to pay. If we all took a stand of some sort....don't ask me how .... but somehow put these companies back in their place we would demand higher earnings. Trucking companies only pay drivers "just enough" to keep the leash on them basically. They pay just enough to keep drivers staying with them but we all deserve a lot more. Not many jobs work 70 or 80 hour every single week like we do. Not many jobs require you to basically live on the road and when you do come home it's only for a measly 1 - 2 days ! Ridiculous !!! By the time you unwind at home it's time to repack all your sheet and leave again. There really is no time to unwind and enjoy a few days off just like everyone else in the country gets most weekends off... but they don't work 70+ hours either !!

 

A very small grain. lol Anybody that knows the Patch knows better than expecting $12.50

 

Try management. My drivers typically made more than I did. That is why I got out and now drive again. I work hard, and get paid for it.

It is a great idea but the only way to make it work would be a union.

It was mentioned drywallers get $26/hr, but that is a union job. How many work for $19 or $15 at non union jobs?

Trouble is unions have tried to become more than what they are supposed to be. They should be a voice for the workers but instead they want the workers to be their clout for getting what they want.

As soon a s a union starts telling you who to vote for in an election it is completely clear that the union is out for itself and not for the people it is supposed to be representing.

 

Is it just me or does this seem like a start of a communistic regime.
The union I mean not the poster