|
|
Post by islandhopper on Jun 24, 2009 15:55:40 GMT -5
virginia ports suck. i see no change anytime soon in the same good old boy system. we don't have a chance without drastic steps being taken against the way we are classified as just stupid independent contractors by the companies. the ila clerk in the booth doesn't own any equipment or pay for fuel but makes four times what i do with my truck. this is all because these guys have protective rights under contract negotiating. how can we do this as owner-operators? this is something we should be working on. until we can find a way to get around this antitrust stigma we are all screwed. i would think this issue would be top priorty for the ooc rather then running around getting parts discounts but maybe i'm wrong. just the same i won't be attending anymore ooc driver meetings. i was a fool for giving this bunch my hard earned money to support what many of us thought would be a decent trucker organization. several drivers told me not to do this early on but no i didn't care to listen. sorry you guys were right i was wrong. the ooc is just all talk no plan / no action / no future. lol.
|
|
|
|
Post by murph on Jun 25, 2009 12:14:02 GMT -5
Don't blame yourself driver. Most around here finally realized this has turned out to be little more than a trucker discount club which is too bad. Several guys who are fedup had a meeting in Newport News a few days ago about the current situation. I'm waiting to hear how that turned out. I couldn't attend because I had to put in a clutch.
|
|
|
|
Post by BH on Jun 26, 2009 19:21:18 GMT -5
FYI--Everyone voted to start a new container trucker association in Hampton Roads to address the real issues. The agenda sounds good from what was discussed at the meeting. There were over three dozen truckers that showed up. Several old timers made some good points. I think it's going to catch on once the word gets out. There was even talk of possibly forming a local trucker union to get around the independent contractor status. They introduced a couple of gentlemen that said they could help in doing just that. There also was a Virginia labor attorney who attended the meeting.
|
|
|
|
Post by scooter on Jun 28, 2009 8:31:39 GMT -5
That's good news. Maybe now we are headed in the right direction.
|
|
|
|
Post by brushfire on Jun 28, 2009 22:26:53 GMT -5
We need to thin out some of these rate cutting b@st@rds (agents) in Tidewater. I bet there are a few motor carriers here who would like to see that happen.
|
|
|
|
Post by dieselsmoke on Jun 29, 2009 12:50:34 GMT -5
U hit the nail on the head driver. At twenty trucks to every container load a few less trucking agencies adding to this Hampton Roads rate cutting frenzy would do us all some good. The port needs to step in and deport some of these trucking company thieves that are stealing from owner-operators. All these decent paying trucking jobs VIT brags about disappeared twenty-five years ago. Most qualified drivers, trucks, & equipment also disappeared when deregulation took control. It's no wonder the maritime community was trying to attract truckers from the western part of Virgina two years ago. The port economy was strong then but no more. There's certainly no driver shortage now with plenty of truckers sitting around waiting on container loads while many have bankrupted. Supply and demand doesn't work in this intermodal hauling business, there needs to be some type legal regulation or the abuse will continue by those who have no investment in labor or highway equipment.
|
|
|
|
Post by citycooterpatrol on Jun 30, 2009 14:16:15 GMT -5
You can forget the OOC's current leadership doing anythin earth shattering about the port. Don't rock the boat is the club motto!
|
|
|
|
Post by shortcircut on Jul 1, 2009 20:46:21 GMT -5
they can't do anything. they have absolutely no authority or influence what so ever with the Va. Port Authority or any other management power within the ports. Just like I said last year, they are wasting everyone's money and time and their breath.
they are where we were over 8 years ago, absolutely NO WHERE
|
|
|
|
Post by largecar on Jul 2, 2009 12:47:19 GMT -5
The best of associations fail without a game plan. Hopefully this time it will work out for you guys up there. Just make sure everyone has the same goal in mind. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Post by OOCVA Guest on Jul 3, 2009 14:42:53 GMT -5
virginia ports suck. i see no change anytime soon in the same good old boy system. we don't have a chance without drastic steps being taken against the way we are classified as just stupid independent contractors by the companies. the ila clerk in the booth doesn't own any equipment or pay for fuel but makes four times what i do with my truck. this is all because these guys have protective rights under contract negotiating. how can we do this as owner-operators? this is something we should be working on. until we can find a way to get around this antitrust stigma we are all screwed. i would think this issue would be top priorty for the ooc rather then running around getting parts discounts but maybe i'm wrong. just the same i won't be attending anymore ooc driver meetings. i was a fool for giving this bunch my hard earned money to support what many of us thought would be a decent trucker organization. several drivers told me not to do this early on but no i didn't care to listen. sorry you guys were right i was wrong. the ooc is just all talk no plan / no action / no future. lol. Well, let's get a couple things straight. Relief for area owner-operators is focal priority for the coalition. As anyone in this forum will agree to, no solution to the fundamental problems with our industry will happen overnight. That said, sure the OOC uses it's group numbers to negotiate discounts and free-bees for our members. As the greater goals of the group are worked out, we feel it is still worthwhile to save members money wherever we can. We do not promote purchasing of products through relations with vendors but we DO identify needed items/services that are a required to operate a truck. From that point these savings MORE than offset the few bucks it costs for membership. We have members that are saving huge dollars though what we have arranged as this is an alternative to the "company store" mentality with the motor carriers profiting off every item they can( at the expense of the driver). I'm sure folks in this forum are aware of what is happening to freight levels and the result on available work loads. Every other company is finding ways to reduce costs and ensure they can stay afloat to continue doing business in the future. Owner Operators too have to reduce costs wherever possible to ensure future operation. I'm sorry, but if any driver is honest with him/herself keeping your hard earned money in YOUR pocket is an accomplishment. We have found viable ways to do this while the group grows and works towards it's larger goals. In regard to the coalition itself...sure, there is a period of growth and organization that has to take place to become strong. OOC has had changes in leadership as well as greatly improved it's organization. Now, let's debunk some myths. There is no one in the coalition on the "pay roll" of the port or any motor carrier. That is just silly. The statement below saying we "don't want to rock the boat" is simply FALSE. Second, there are some rather outspoken people on this forum, NONE of which have attended a meeting or been involved to even get the facts in a LONG time. So, let's be fair. There is no chatter at any coalition events singling out other drivers and launching negative propaganda campaigns against them. There is no slander about members of this forum ANYWHERE on our site. Any driver is welcome and if someone feels they have a better approach, then make your voice heard. If someone comes to the table with a proper business plan on achieving their goal and also has outside backing...you will be heard. The OOC will NOT encourage anything of it's members to put them in danger or cost them their earnings ability. If actions sanctioned here in this forum have the support needed from the labor bodies, where is the public support and outrach? Not being confrontational, just asking an honest question. OOC has multiple efforts underway to address the core issues. Sadly, we cannot post the ins and outs of every action until it is proper. No chess player allows the opponent to know the next move. Back to a point made above, when the coalition first formed sure there was improvements needed etc etc. How good of a soccer player were you the first time you kicked a ball. How good of a driver the first time you sat behind the wheel. Growth takes time. If the OOC's actions are seemingly so important to discuss and trash (based on old or wrong information) , why don't you make an honest effort about getting the real scoop and form your opinion then. Our contact info is readily available. If you want to discuss action plans etc, make the effort of a phone call, email, or visit a meeting. There is plenty of talk about unity here but many folks say that and then bash other drivers in the same sentence. If someone really cares about improvement , get off the keyboard and work towards it. ALL of us together. Also, here is the bottom line, we ARE growing. We ARE making improvements. We HAVE been successful with actions against carriers, city municipalities , and brokers who have violated our member rights. These members are not hard to find and they will gladly tell of where they would have been if it was not for the OOC. Alas, we are not stopping there. Wish more could be said. To close, with or without folks here, we will continue to expand and fight for improvements. The preference would be WITH. We are fellow truckers, we suffer the same harsh conditions and injustices. Negative statements in this forum really won't affect a thing. If you are enough about your careers and fellow drivers, take the time to learn the truth. Make the effort, you will be surprised. The ball is now in this court........ |
|
|
|
Post by OOCVA Guest on Jul 3, 2009 17:12:47 GMT -5
FYI--Everyone voted to start a new container trucker association in Hampton Roads to address the real issues. The agenda sounds good from what was discussed at the meeting. There were over three dozen truckers that showed up. Several old timers made some good points. I think it's going to catch on once the word gets out. There was even talk of possibly forming a local trucker union to get around the independent contractor status. They introduced a couple of gentlemen that said they could help in doing just that. There also was a Virginia labor attorney who attended the meeting. Sounds good on paper. Just watch it. Labor attorneys, like any other lawyers will sniff around while there is food cooking and a pot to take home. Challenging the status of independent contractor is nothing new. After many attempts , it is still the same. Just be careful. Let's look back to the BTT/Weyerhauser strike. There was the old union that is looking to make a name again (IWW-originally from England) and promised the drivers much. Their lawyers also promised to fight any retaliatory action against participants. They Lied. Attorneys promised to challenge the status of independent contractor to protect organizing participants. They lied. A name was made for the union and their organizing efforts ( just what they wanted) and in the end a dozen or so local drivers lost their jobs, a few as a result lost their trucks, others were blackballed. Where was all the support for the truckers in the end? It never came. Without enough support both monetarily and politically..the only loser was the trucker. That was why we did not support that. Proceed with caution. |
|
|
|
Post by M on Jul 4, 2009 14:27:58 GMT -5
Hey BH, send nightcrawler a text with details. He wants to know if this includes roaddrivers?
|
|
|
|
Post by rtransit on Jul 4, 2009 15:08:12 GMT -5
The point of unionization is to collectively bargain for better wages and benefits, which is a fabulous idea, if say, you worked for a company like Wal-Mart that treats their people like dirt. The majority of truck drivers who own their trucks make a very decent living, and although truckers must sometimes do things a little cheaper, everyone must stay competitive in today's world.
There's just not a lot of potential upside to be gained from unionization.
Even if you do think that there's concessions that could be gained through such an organization, it's best to remain an independent trucker doing what you want to do, when you want to do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Veteran Trucker on Jul 4, 2009 18:17:43 GMT -5
What's to be gained? How about a voice against the unfair dispatcher, who thinks you owe it to him to take that s#*tty load! Or maybe a retirement plan that might get a contribution from the amount of gate moves (or gross tonnage). Even if we pay the retirement ourselves, let it come from the increased rates to be paid. We are not independent, we rely on the companies to give us our work. More than they rely on us. Let's have the security to be able to say... NO, I won't haul it for that! And be able to back it up with a contract that protects everybody. Don't take this personally anybody, but you really are a fool if you don't think that's the best way to go. It will be tough to make it happen. But 233 years ago today, a group of individuals banded together against insurmountable odds and took on something much larger than the steamship lines. It wasn't easy and they won OUR rights for us. We are simply trying to attain rights that corporations have twisted away from us! Stand Up and show a little fight. Not just for yourself, but for everyone! Happy Fourth!
|
|
|
|
Post by keysvilletrucker on Jul 4, 2009 18:58:53 GMT -5
The point of unionization is to collectively bargain for better wages and benefits, which is a fabulous idea, if say, you worked for a company like Wal-Mart that treats their people like dirt. The majority of truck drivers who own their trucks make a very decent living, and although truckers must sometimes do things a little cheaper, everyone must stay competitive in today's world. There's just not a lot of potential upside to be gained from unionization. Even if you do think that there's concessions that could be gained through such an organization, it's best to remain an independent trucker doing what you want to do, when you want to do it. |
|
|
|
Post by StopnGo on Jul 4, 2009 20:47:49 GMT -5
FYI--Everyone voted to start a new container trucker association in Hampton Roads to address the real issues. The agenda sounds good from what was discussed at the meeting. There were over three dozen truckers that showed up. Several old timers made some good points. I think it's going to catch on once the word gets out. There was even talk of possibly forming a local trucker union to get around the independent contractor status. They introduced a couple of gentlemen that said they could help in doing just that. There also was a Virginia labor attorney who attended the meeting. Sounds good on paper. Just watch it. Labor attorneys, like any other lawyers will sniff around while there is food cooking and a pot to take home. Challenging the status of independent contractor is nothing new. After many attempts , it is still the same. Just be careful. Let's look back to the BTT/Weyerhauser strike. There was the old union that is looking to make a name again (IWW-originally from England) and promised the drivers much. Their lawyers also promised to fight any retaliatory action against participants. They Lied. Attorneys promised to challenge the status of independent contractor to protect organizing participants. They lied. A name was made for the union and their organizing efforts ( just what they wanted) and in the end a dozen or so local drivers lost their jobs, a few as a result lost their trucks, others were blackballed. Where was all the support for the truckers in the end? It never came. Without enough support both monetarily and politically..the only loser was the trucker. That was why we did not support that. Proceed with caution. I assumed we all were independent truckers until a few years ago. The term "independent contractor" doesn't stand up anymore if challenged the right way. We are not true independents but company drivers who own our trucks we lease to the carrier. Like I said before, a couple years ago the company I am leased to was sued by two drivers who were terminated for organizing a work stoppage we all participated in. This was brought on by the increasing free work forced on us at the port. After being terminated another trucker suggested those two drivers take their case before the NLRB. I thought with this company they didn't have a prayer. A month or so later they begin to call some witnesses. In the end everyone won. The decision handed down by the judge recognized not only them as employees but every owner driver working for this motor carrier. They received a settlement plus got their jobs back. The company won't make that mistake again. Since that happened company management has admitted they really don't care if we all go union as long as drivers at other companies would do the same. They just want a balanced playing field to operate in among the other carriers. At the present time we now are classified as employee-lease-operators. If we choose, we could all vote for union recognition but during these hard times without any other motor carriers involved that would just place this carrier at a tremendous disadvantage. The company I am leased to is ninety-eight percent owner-operators working at several different terminal locations in the east. This clearly shows that with company recognition as an employee we can collective bargain as a group under the law. |
|
|
|
Post by 460roadkill on Jul 4, 2009 23:29:53 GMT -5
"If someone comes to the table with a proper business plan on achieving their goal and also has outside backing...you will be heard. The OOC will NOT encourage anything of it's members to put them in danger or cost them their earnings ability. If actions sanctioned here in this forum have the support needed from the labor bodies, where is the public support and outrach?"
########################
I certainly wouldn't want anyone to take a chance or put them self in any risk of losing one of these chicken sh#^ container hauling jobs in Tidewater. We have so much job security & are making so d@mn much money GOD knows let's don't take a chance of that. Good thing are founding fathers didn't think such rubbish or we would still be under rule of the King. Think public support & outreach is going to get us a seat at the table? Think again. Sounds like your one of the leaders of the Norfolk group right? We as grown men have to do this ourself, not wait or count on someone else to do it for us. That's the problem now with the current bunch hauling at the port. The company tells them to bend over & squeal like a PIG, they say OK boss, how loud? Look at the drivers who had the balls to do something right or wrong in the past. I'm talking about here & down south. At least they weren't a bunch of wimps who wanted others to do it for them. Don't wait, grab the bull by the horns & make it happen. I am a Virginia trucker too & proud of it. I attended a few of your Norfolk meetings. Sorry, I didn't get much out of it but I wasn't the only one either. Hopefully things have changed since but it still doesn't sound like it. The reason I was attracted to this site (and thankful someone gave it to me) is because the guys on here make a Hell of a lot more sense just like the last poster. Those two truckers didn't wait till anyone changed the law, they took action which I believe we can all do, that is unless we are afraid of the companies. If that is the case we'll never organize to do anything but have a stupid social club. I understand we can't go off half thingyed without a plan but if you can't figure how to get around this contractor status (if that's the problem) get some people that can. Discounts are great but a legal binding hauling contract is even better in my book. I'm not talking about one of these one sided leasing agreements either. If we need help from the ILA let's do it. Make something happen now while we are having a crummy year in preparation for next year when hopefully freight will be booming next summer.
|
|
|
|
Post by joedogblues on Jul 5, 2009 10:30:14 GMT -5
This entire system is set up to steal from us as much as the companies can. The more management shovels on our plate the bigger their profits. There's only one answer here. We need a contract allowing us to hold their feet to the fire. To do that we must devise a way making it legal to bargain collectively as a group. 460roadkill is right. To much talk becomes mute. These people understand one universal language, $$$$. The system must believe truckers have the power to hit them hard in the pocket book. You'll have their undivided attention when you succeed in developing the driver strength to do just that. Avoid costly mistakes of the past by using power wisely at the correct time. Prepare everyone mentally now to loose a few weeks work. You may never have to miss a day but weakness has no leverage in this industry.
|
|
|
|
Post by superchicken on Jul 5, 2009 17:14:19 GMT -5
According to trucker news, the Teamsters newly appointed director over the port driver organizing campaign plans on pushing the California take away your truck plan into the ports of New York-New Jersey pronto. The hold up with the Yankee port terminal operators seems to be this pesky deep water Hampton Roads harbor system of ours with the tremendous means of expansion to accommodate their Jersey customers. They know the Teamster clean-green-mandated-employee-machine will make it much more expensive to do business in the N.east without painting Virginia ports green at the very same time. We can all kiss our f@%#ing trucks goodbye if they get a foothold here driver. These communist are now in the process of makin deals with the big pumpkin(Schneider), JB, Swift, Knight, & others to move all the boxes with strictly company drivers. Wake up guys, this isn't about discounts, it's about survival. We're being attacked from all sides. Get a grip on what the # 1 goal should be before it's too late.
|
|
|
|
Post by RKing on Jul 6, 2009 10:34:54 GMT -5
If your unwilling to sacrifice, you surely will gain nothing of value.
|
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jul 6, 2009 11:30:58 GMT -5
If your unwilling to sacrifice, you surely will gain nothing of value. We can all quote proverbs etc. Sure sacrifice is needed for any worthy efforts pertaining to almost anything in life. The difference is that many times , when drivers step out they end up being "sacrificial lambs" for the political gains of certain people/organizations and end up losing. That's why, if there is to be an effort on behalf of truckers, there needs to be outside support that will protect and fund the owner-operators in question. Just making a point of don't swallow the pill of "promised land" to be left hanging. There has to be adequate infrastructure to support.... |
|
|
|
Post by M on Jul 6, 2009 12:39:09 GMT -5
he,he,he, ;D as long as it doesn't cost me anything, i don't miss any work, or have ta make any effort ta step out you can count me in... just let me know when,where to sign up my truck and collect my benefits dude? stand back, the outside support and funding should be arriving any minute now.
|
|
|
|
Post by largecar on Jul 6, 2009 15:48:46 GMT -5
Oh please, give me a break driver. How about this, we've got your back buddy so you go inside and tell that d**n terminal manager the rest of us won't take this s**t anymore. What do we need, someone to hold our hand? This attitude is exactly what most of these crooked trucking companies have come to expect from us. You want support, go home to your mother  We first better learn to do something for ourself to earn respect of these organizations who can lend us any support. Even the trade association OOIDA was formed off the backs of those who had the balls in 1973 to blockade the highways over the Arab oil embargo. Speaking of that, how about truckers who have pulled off several major port job actions over the past fourteen years. They did this on their own, not because some organization told them they had to. Right or wrong not one waited on outside protection or funding before taking action. Many were arrested, had their trucks towed while several were dragged before local and federal judges but that didn't stop them. They stood up against this corrupt system for what they believe in. Most would do it over again but have learned from that experience what works, and what they can do legally. It's sad you won't take a stand until funding or protection is available from outside sources? If true, your ship is already sinking friend. Better lower the life boats. |
|
|
|
Post by largecar on Jul 6, 2009 16:10:22 GMT -5
This entire system is set up to steal from us as much as the companies can. The more management shovels on our plate the bigger their profits. There's only one answer here. We need a contract allowing us to hold their feet to the fire. To do that we must devise a way making it legal to bargain collectively as a group. 460roadkill is right. To much talk becomes mute. These people understand one universal language, $$$$. The system must believe truckers have the power to hit them hard in the pocket book. You'll have their undivided attention when you succeed in developing the driver strength to do just that. Avoid costly mistakes of the past by using power wisely at the correct time. Prepare everyone mentally now to loose a few weeks work. You may never have to miss a day but weakness has no leverage in this industry. Good post. Your right, this entire system is set up for our failure, their enjoyment. We do badly need a trucker contract that covers all terminal work plus roadwork. These people are not going to hand us anything. At some point we'll have to be a strong enough group to take what belongs to us. |
|
|
|
Post by Guest on Jul 6, 2009 17:09:57 GMT -5
Oh please, give me a break driver. How about this, we've got your back buddy so you go inside and tell that d**n terminal manager the rest of us won't take this s**t anymore. What do we need, someone to hold our hand? This attitude is exactly what most of these crooked trucking companies have come to expect from us. You want support, go home to your mother We first better learn to do something for ourself to earn respect of these organizations who can lend us any support. Even the trade association OOIDA was formed off the backs of those who had the balls in 1973 to blockade the highways over the Arab oil embargo. Speaking of that, how about truckers who have pulled off several major port job actions over the past fourteen years. They did this on their own, not because some organization told them they had to. Right or wrong not one waited on outside protection or funding before taking action. Many were arrested, had their trucks towed while several were dragged before local and federal judges but that didn't stop them. They stood up against this corrupt system for what they believe in. Most would do it over again but have learned from that experience what works, and what they can do legally. It's sad you won't take a stand until funding or protection is available from outside sources? If true, your ship is already sinking friend. Better lower the life boats. Yeah, so great rant. Except, you completely missed the point. I'll clarify it for you. Try to keep up. If you don't have the infrastructure to support any type of labor action, results will not be favorable. Speaking of labor action, it will take one huge act of god to get every port driver here unify as one. That said, those who do act will not have the protection of the masses. Not saying anything against going in for the fight, it makes no sense to be one of few who stick their heads out only to meet the chopping block. Heck, talk to Hardtimetrucker..... look at what he went through. Again, if you do not have the backing so protect you it can get ugly. Maybe some guys have nothing to loose. A lot don't own trucks to loose ( no offense to company drivers). Many don't have to feed kids. It's a bit more complicated that walking on your front porch, pounding on your chest, screaming "I AM TONTO" and then conquering the known world. So I'll suggest, stop trying to twist words to justify a rant against your fellow compatriots. Stop taking every chance to sling mud when you are missing much of the information about those you try to constantly discredit. Let's redirect that energy in being constructive.There is more than one way to skin a cat. Not picking an argument, just saying. |
|
