Wall RSS FeedWhat this contract means to me!
I find myself trying to educate drivers on this contract and loosing sleep, over the worry of it. I speak to many drivers in my travels and I’m shocked by the lack of knowledge in the language, and articles. I see grown men, that have been in the business for many years and are stunned by all the changes, when you explain it. This is a contract that will change our way of living forever. I don’t know about you guys, but I truly love my job and I’m devoted to it. For some, this will be the last true car hauling job depending on how much seniority you may have. The institution that I believe in and ware with pride on my sleeve, has the capability to change our lives. This is disturbing to me, because we the members are on an island all by ourselves. How do I explain this to my wife and kids? My wife that has supported me through all the ups and downs of this industry. Here I am on Art 38, and have been away from home for 13 weeks. You go home here and there, but nothing amounts to the quality time with your wife and kids. Are these sacrifices for nothing? Yea some may say, “Your Making Money.” The point is that we all make these type of decision based on this great job and now it’s in jeopardy of being gone, do to the lack of leadership in our union. In the terminal that I work out of, there is about 30 guys that are 38’s and we will never be called back, if this contract flies. That is so unfair through my eyes, because we have given up everything to keep our jobs going. I have good friends that don’t have the options that I have, and are away from there families. They will never be called back if this contract is ratified. Thats why my passion is so intense, when it comes to this contract. I don’t hate the IBT, I hate the leaders that have no compassion for it’s members and stand shoulder to shoulder with the companies that think we make too much. The companies that walk over a dollar to pick up a dime, and have no respect for it’s employees. How do they sleep at night? What makes this even worst, is the waiting game. Waiting on the ballot count to find, we have been had! We have no protection and the only support we have, is each other. I will walk a picket line with you guys any day, and rather do that then, to see the outcome of Suckerman’s game.
July 17th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE TIME TO PROTEST IS NOW ….DON”T TAKE A BACK SEAT. DO SOMETHING
July 17th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
So right , so true. count me in, i’ll stand with you.THE LAST STAND !!!
July 17th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
If we don’t make a stand now then we might as well just kiss our future good buy because this basically gives the carriers the ability to do what they want and it will cost us our jobs in the long run….I’ll be the first one out on that line if need be……WE NEED TO STAY STRONG AND SEND A MESSAGE!!!
July 17th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
djc your service has been upgraded
July 17th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Amen, Brother. You put into writing exactly what I’ve been feeling and dealing with over the past few months. My wife is ready to kill me if this doesn’t get resolved soon. The level that the union will stoop to to get this contract passed is inconceivable. Our drivers out here in Local 63 are getting phone calls from the Local asking how they’re gonna vote, where they get their contract information, etc. At what point did we lose control of our union? I’ve been a Teamster for over 15 years and I’ve been through contract troubles and walked picket lines. If that’s what needs to be done again, I’m not afraid. The Union will not strike over this contract, even though they are threatening every one of us right there on our ballots, right under the NO box. That would counter everything that they have been pushing for, their future(the IBT), not ours. Everyone on this board represents the true spirit of the Teamsters. Fighting for what is right, not for what the union and the companies want.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
HOEPULLY THE VOTES WILL ACTUALLY COUNT AND NOT BE RIGGED .IT’S TO BAD THEY ARE MAIL IN BALLOTS . THE RAIL ROAD IS ALSO TEAMSTERS AND HOFFA GOT THEM A 15% RAISE AND BETTER HEALTH BENEFITS. THE R.R RAILS IN THE CARS TO THE RAIL YARDS , SOMETHING NOT RIGHT ABOUT THE DEAL THEY GOT .HOFFA IS A REAL PIECE OF WORK.I BET HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ELECTED THIS LAST TIME IF THE BALLOTS WERE NOT MAIL IN.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
i’ve already helped put one company out of business and I’m ready to help put another one out of business. At least all the bosses and mucky mucks will be out with me. we need to stand together and make our leadership work for us………we can no longer stand idally by and let the s*it contract pass……because if it does we are all done…….we will just be glorified scabs……the only difference is our pension should we get it!!!!!!OUR LEADERSHIP HAS TO HEAR OUR DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS CONTRACT LOUD AND CLEARNO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!NO!
July 19th, 2008 at 1:02 am
I really hope this all works out for you guys!! im an owner/operator in the NW and one day hope to join the botherhood!! i could give my story on the back-side but im sure nobody on here is interested… and no im not a scab.. im thinkin i started doing this job about 30 years too late!!! i truly hope the “REAL” votes get counted! the teamster site is praising the different locals saying yes….. funny how no negative responces EVER go on their site…??? anyways.. from a “hope to be a brother soon carhauler” .. i wish you guys all the best and much respect!!!!
July 19th, 2008 at 9:22 am
HOODWINK
Whats up Buddy!
I’m up in NJ on Vac this week While I’m on Layoff
status
Well thats story I’d like to hear
goto run for now
BBL