check out the trucker meeting!

[Doc]

check this out everyone,

ATTENTION FLORIDA TRUCKERS!

There will be a town hall meeting in New Port Richey, Fl. on Saturday, May 10th at 4 PM.

Senator Mike Fasano will be attending the meeting as well as Mr. Matt Ubben, Vice President of the Florida Trucking Association and Mr. David Mika of the Florida Petroleum Counsel. All the news channels have been invited to attend as well.

It was Mr Robert Solfio, of Big Tiger Trucking, that has called for this meeting. If you have any questions, you can email Mr. Robert Solfio at... [e-mail]

The meeting will take place at the

River Ridge High School located at
11646 Town Center Rd.
New Port Richey, Fl. 34654


Please attend if you can. Hope to see you there!

Happy Trails Ya'll.
Pat

[ilovemypete]

Wonder how many container haulers know about this?

[josh]

what kinda freight does big tiger trucking haul? who are they, company trucks, oo's trucks?

[porkchop]

sounds like a good trucker meeting took place today in port richie florida. one driver said that over a hundred people were at the meeting but the guy representing the oil company view didn't show up. she said the senator was there and spoke to everyone.

[rollnthunder]

Hi Y'all. I went to the meeting in New Port Richey yesterday and they had a nice turn out of about 100 O/O and even 4 brokers showed up. Senator Fasano was there and so was Matt Ubben, vice president of the Florida Trucking Ass. The man that was invited from the Florida Petroleum Council, Mr David Mika was a no show! He chickened out late Friday night, lol. Senator Paula Dockery was also invited to attend, but declined. Remember that the next time you VOTE! We vote them into office, and we can darn sure vote them OUT!

Robert Solfio of Big Tiger Trucking was the man that called for this meeting, and pulled all the O/O's together with the invited guests. Great job Robert! It was heart breaking to hear the stories of what is happening to all these people. Several were asked by Robert for a show of hands from anyone that knew of or if they themselves had trouble making ends meet. EVERYONE there raised their hands. Companies that owned more then one truck were also polled by Robert. He asked them to stand up and tell us all how many trucks they owned and how many were still working/running. The answered varied, but it was clear to see the number of trucks that are now parked because the price of fuel has left them no other choice. One gentleman had 21 trucks, and only 7 were running today. Another gentleman said he had 7 and only 2 were working. It went on and on. We all could relate to their misery and hard times.

I was not impressed with the answers that Senator Fasano gave. Yeah, he said he's going back to Tallahassee and see what he could do. He told us that he wasn't even aware of the fuel surcharge until he recently rented a car and saw he was charged a fuel surcharge himself. HELLO!! I honestly believe that our politicians of today are so out of touch with the working man & woman. They are clueless! I have made it my intentions to educate then one at a time of that is what it takes!

Toward the end of the meeting, I had Dan Little, President & CEO of OOU Inc. <Owner Operators Inc> on my cell phone. He had a few questions for the Senator, lol. I handed my phone to Robert and he held it to the mike. Dan first off, thanked everyone that had showed up for the meeting. The room got dead quiet. A lot of the guys there didn't know who Dan Little was, but they listened with great interest at what he had to ask the Senator. He asked him if he'd be willing to drop all state and federal taxes, on fuel, and a few more questions he fired at the Senator who quickly turned to the guy from the Fla. Trucking Ass. <lol> He totally ignored what Dan was asking HIM. Dan asked the Senator if he would be willing to stand up for the truckers and show his support. After a 5 second lull, a man from the crowd shouted out, "well, he's not standing up"! I had to LOL! Then the Senator finally stood up only to say he didn't understand one word Dan has said. HA! I asked almost everyone there if they could hear Dan on the phone. Every single one of them told me, he was as clear as a bell. Maybe the Senator needs to get his ears checked!?? Could it be that he was just doing the Florida two-step? Now this man who said he would help us out, was turning tail and running away from the questions we all wanted an answer to. Like I said, we vote these people in and we will vote them out if they can't do the job! They are "suppose" to represent US, the people and our wishes as a whole. What a joke that is huh?

For those of you that do not know who Dan Little is, let me tell you. He is the man from Missouri that started this whole shutdown on April 1st, 2008. He's an owner of a cattle hauling company. He is the one that got this ball rolling and I choose to stand along side of this man because he wants to see BIG changes in this industry. He wants to see higher rates instead of us all hauling for the same stale rates we have been hauling for...for year! Everything has gone up except the rates. Truckers are consumers too, and it cost us all more money every week to just purchase the food for our families. A LOT more, yet we don't get any pay/rate increase to help us off set this. We want 100% of the fuel surcharge to go to every owner that put the fuel in THEIR truck. He want transparency in the leasing laws, so we can put an end to getting ripped off at every turn.

Dan knows what it will take to make these changes in DC. He is dedicated to making it happen for the good of the industry. He can't do it alone. He needs everyone's help, and always welcomes any idea that may assist us in the up hill battle we face. Trust me ya'll...Dan is no quitter! He is making things happen very quickly. I'll leave a couple of links for you to check out yourselves. One will be for the first site he got all this started on, and the second one is the new site of OOU. I hope you will check it out and see if you wouldn't be proud to stand along side this man. Dan Little is getting things done!

Yikes! I sure have rattled on here, lol. Sorry for taking up so much bandwith. I am so passionate about this fight, because I have been an O/O for the last 33 years. My truck is now parked in the yard, b'cuz I can't make any money with fuel sitting at $4.35 today in Polk City, Florida.

Thanks to all for your time and interests. Now let's get fired up and make stuff happen for the good of us all. If you agree with what Dan has to say, then I urge you to join forces with him and the rest of us who all ready have become members. Remember folks, Lawyers aren't cheap. It's those same lawyers that we need on OUR side to go to battle with the folks in DC.

Thanks again y'all.

Pat

Links for Dan Little and his sites

uscattlehaulers.com

and the new OOU inc page is

Http"//owneroperatorsunited.org

[ilovemypete]

If you want 100% of the fuel surcharge push for the legislation already in place endorsed by this association group (Intermodal Owner Driver Assoc.), the OOIDA assoc., and many others who are working together to make it happen in DC. I certainly join with all drivers nationwide to offer support but I myself don't see the need to join another association to protect my rights as an Intermodal trucker. This group seems to suit my needs just fine. I believe we need to grow IODA not fund others along with their attorneys. As a trucker working the ports and the inland rail we have many different issues to be addressed and goals to reach.
This Dan may be a good guy but it almost sounds to me like he is running for public office or maybe just a little bit to much about Dan himself. How many more folk are going to come forward to claim they were the leader of the April 1st shutdown, but maybe the question should be does anyone really care?
In the intermodal world it took many drivers working together at several of the port facilities to create the April 3rd, 4th campaign which was an entirely different event. I felt lucky to participate in that which alerted the media's attention to the critical need for fuel surcharge legislation here in the southeast. Thanks, but I think I'll just stick with this growing group of truckers and OOIDA.

[danlittle]

This reply is directed to {Ilovemypete}
I nor any member of the OOU Inc has or will ask anyone to not be a member of OOIDA, I think O/Os & drivers alike should belong to both,
But before you start slamming me take the time to google my name , The OOIDA was against the april shutdown and only after a large part of thier membership stated they would drop thier memberships did the OOIDA say that they support the actions of the O/Os
Please get the story straight.
OOIDA & everyone have agreed that I did in 72 hours what they were unable to do in the past 30 years, I took it to the main stream media.
I fully support the OOU Inc, but also support the OOIDA.
heres a copy & paste from the Bob McCarty paper, [you can google him on the web ]
Dont ever assume that I am running for office, That will never happen, I will however use everything within reach to bring about change within this industry.
I come from a 3rd gen. trucking family, I have seen the really good times but have also seen the really bad times.
anyway enough about me, I really dont care if you like me or not, but I do care about the trucking Industry as a whole & will keep fighting for the betterment of our industry.
The questions I asked the Sen. from Fla yesterday were short & to the point.
The OOU Inc has a 51 member board of directors, 1 from each state to insure that all truckers have a voice.
The OOU Inc also has a 5 member exec board, to oversee the funding & the actions this assoc takes.
read the AOC of OOU Inc [you can find them on the OOU Inc site}
You will see we are set for for everyone not just a choice few.
Thanks you
Dan Little
Heres the link to Bob McCarty report


Six weeks ago, Dan Little spearheaded a nationwide truckers shutdown which took place April 1 as a means of drawing attention to the poor economic plight of independent truckers and trucking companies. Today, the owner of a Carrollton, Mo., cattle-hauling operation finds himself in a new position representing the interests of truckers from across the country as CEO of Owner-Operators United.

OOU is a new nonprofit organization Little and his fellow truckers formed after realizing no existing organizations were set up to meet their needs.


Little outlined some of the issues facing truckers during a recent interview with CNN’s Reggie Aqui. Among the issues he highlighted was the combined impact of rising fuel prices and excessive fuel taxes.

Little told Aqui that, during the first quarter of 2008, he estimated that 925 trucking companies had gone out of business. Related to that, he said, some 42,000 trucks had been sidelined and more than 51,000 drivers put out of work. Others, secretaries, mechanics and dispatchers lost jobs and other businesses that serve truckers have felt the impact as well.

On the subject of the federal gas tax holiday that’s been the subject of heated debate between the three remaining presidential candidates, Little disputed one candidate’s claim that the money that would be lost to the government during such a holiday was needed to pay for road maintenance and related costs.

Toward the end of the interview, Little asked a rhetorical question that, no doubt, has crossed the minds of many truckers in recent weeks: “If our government can go in on a Saturday afternoon and bail out Bear Stearns to save Wall Street, why would they not seriously be looking at the trucking industry — the only industry in this country that can turn this country off with the turn of a key?”

To watch the interview, click here or click on the photo at the top of this page.

[rollnthunder]

Hey y'all, I would like to address IlovemyPete. I am also 100% happy working with truckers for the sake of us all. Until I had to park my truck, I had a dedicated run here in Florida. It was a good job until the fuel got way out of control so quickly. Then it wasn't worth a darn. I was in a contract with the company I was leased to. I asked them to please do something to help us all out. Like getting us all a rate increase!? I was getting a fuel surcharge on my loaded miles only. I would take a loaded trailer from Kissimmee to Stuart, Fl. It was a drop and hook so I always came back with an empty trailer. The company said there was nothing they could do, so I quit a few weeks ago.

I am in this fight for all of us. You container haulers did me proud when I saw the media attention y'all had gotten. I took it upon myself to post the links to many a news group and forum and blogs to show the others what can be accomplished when we all work together. I searched the web for more stories from coast to coast. I found the stories too. Then I posted those links too.

I went over to the Port of Tampa when the guys over there were shut down. I hung out with them for a long time as we discussed what else we need to do to get the fuel prices under control. They were a great bunch of men with some good ideas, and we stay in touch via phone or emails. This is a joint effort. I was glad to help you guys and I'll do it again, and again. Trucking is/was my life.

You said:I certainly join with all drivers nationwide to offer support but I myself don't see the need to join another association to protect my rights as an Intermodal trucker. This group seems to suit my needs just fine. I believe we need to grow IODA not fund others along with their attorneys. As a trucker working the ports and the inland rail we have many different issues to be addressed and goals to reach.

Please tell me what those issues are. I'll be glad to help you too by doing whatever I can.Tell me the special needs you are seeking. I am pretty clueless when it comes to containers, and would appreciate it if you would please educate me. I have had several trucking jobs in my life, but none in pulling containers. I did used to load monkey pickles from the port in Tampa, but that is it. I have pulled tankers, dry van & refers. Even drove a dump truck, lol. I would like to know exactly what your special needs are and how I can help.

I would like to see a lot of these splintered groups come together as one. That would give US all more power. If you are happy with your group, that's good. I am happy working with Dan Little. The last thing I want to do is start a war and cause everyone to split away into their own space. The media is hearing us. My neighbors and yours are all fed up with the economy and the cost of gas and diesel, and want to see US do something that just might help everyone. I am in this for the long haul. I do this for all my brother & sister truckers. Flat bedders, tanker yankers, bull haulers, container haulers, refers, car haulers, drop bottom, and covered wagons. I am working for all my trucking family members.

Let's not have discord against each other, but instead work together as one strong group of mad truck drivers that want a fair shake in this corrupt industry we call trucking. I came to your news group to let you know about a truckers meeting in New Port Richey, Fla. I know y'all are in Florida as am I. I had hoped that just one of y'all would have called or emailed me to inquire about the meeting, but sorry to say, no one did. That's okay. Maybe we can all get together in the future at the next rally or town hall meeting or port shutdown. I'd like to meet y'all! Keep up the good work!

My email address and ph. #'s are real. so if there is anything I can do for you in the future, please, just let me know. I'd also would like it if one of y'all would keep me informed as to what y'all have planned too. I go to so many web sites that sometimes I forgot where I started, lol. It's a blonde thing. LOL!

Anyways, thanks for letting me post here and telling it like I see it. That's the American way, isn't it? Keep up the pressure on the ports! Most of all, thanks for your time and efforts.

Pat

[ilovemypete]

"OOIDA & everyone have agreed that I did in 72 hours what they were unable to do in the past 30 years, I took it to the main stream media." posted by Dan

Wow, now that's an amazing statement!
It's not a question of myself or anyone else for that matter liking this Dan guy. Just read for youself what he writes. I could care less what he claims or does. I don't think many other drivers really do either. The man may be a legend in his own mind but that doesn't solve any of our problems. So he has done a few news interviews. So have many others.
The drivers in the southeast have an association for intermodal truckers called (IODA) Intermodal Owner Driver Association which your group should be working with if you are serious and want to help solve issues in the intermodal industry. I joined with them and I also still belong to OOIDA and have since the seventies.
Now it's not a hard decision to figure which of the two groups is more concerned about my specific issues. It's IODA because it was formed by truckers who work in the rail & port trucking industry. They also work with another association of rail drivers who have been around a few years in this industry. Good luck rollinthunder. Your OOC may be a good association one day but I think your buddy may be a little bit full of himself

[josh]

Yeah your right about that pete. We have already had enough all about me people wanting to ride to stardom off the current trucker actions. That was the problem with another association several years back in Florida. Everyone wanted to be leader and a spokesperson while the issues were hot in the media.

[CountryGirl]

Six weeks ago, Dan Little spearheaded a nationwide truckers shutdown which took place April 1 as a means of drawing attention to the poor economic plight of independent truckers and trucking companies. Today, the owner of a Carrollton, Mo., cattle-hauling operation finds himself in a new position representing the interests of truckers from across the country as CEO of Owner-Operators United.

Hey guys, maybe the last name says it all

[roadrunner]

This guy from the show me state sounds like he wants recognition from the media for being the leader of the free world. Where do these people come from everytime there is a crisis to cash in on?

[jaxken]

I am looking fro an owner op that is hiring to haul containers I have been driving for 14 years otr and about two years ago I got a dui while sitting in a parked car because I knew better then to drive. I am located out of jacksonville area and need a job bad. I am a real good runner. email me at [e-mail]

[AKA Fruitbox]

Jaxken if you have a TWIC and Jax Port Pass check out Jeri Lynn out of Vidalia, Ga 800 735 1944