Mexican truck drivers taking over!

[merrick4]

I've only been driving otr for about 4 months, and the other day when they found out that I speak Spanish (I'm not spanish) they asked if I would be a trainer as they need a spanish speaking trainer. Now I wouldn't be a trainer anyway because I don't want to live in a small truck with another man (of course a pretty little senorita might be ok ) but hell I'm not going to help them outsource my job.

But unfortunately many will. Before driving otr, I had a decent local job. I was making real good money because of the overtime. Well they went and started hiring from a temp agency and we were supposed to take them out on our routes and train them. I was the only one that refused. I told them, you want to cut my hours well go ahead but don't ask me to help you do it.

[RoadKing2525]

OK, here’s the skinny on the Mexican wage plan,

This is from a Major Carriers Conference in Atlanta 2005 and reported on by The Tombstone Tumbleweed (Now defunct, but I downloaded and saved the article).

Here’s the plan:

They hire the Mexicans (or some of the 20 Million about to get Amnesty) at what is known a “starting” or “training” wage, say .22-.26 (Newly instituted) per mile but change the time limit and structure for pay increases. They cancel all bonus programs, incentive programs, and maybe even some Benefits packages for their current drivers causing some to quit.

As most truck companies have an 80% to %135 turnover they just sit back and wait for them to leave, then advertise for new drivers all needing to start (regardless of experience) at “starting wages”. Of course no Americans apply (almost none) so they’ve met the Guidelines for the “Fair Labor Practices Act” and the guidelines for hiring persons outside the country needing an H1B Visa doing jobs American don’t want! Slick… huh?

Through attrition and over the next few years they have a mostly full staff of Mexicans driving indefinitely at these “starting wages” or “training wages”. Viola! Were outta work, the companies double their profits, and Mexicans flood America!

Here’s the article. Remember it has been deleted from the original website but I unloaded to my “Google Doc’s” site <grin>. Also, as the original article is in PDF format and Google Doc’s does not allow PDF uploads, I have retyped the article so it could be unloaded in text format and converted to HTML. When I read it about six months ago for some reason I thought it might be important? If anyone doubts the validity of the article msg me and I will send you the original PDF as an attachment.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc3fncx6_24fms6gg

Update: The article is not listed on the Tombstone archives page but I found a link to the original article here: See page 8 for the article.

http://tombstonetumbleweed.com/PDF_A...bleSep0105.pdf

[Cluggy619]

It means doing damage to trucks from Mexico. Flat tires, kingpins pulled, brakes out of adjustment, cut airlines, etc. If it's too expensive to run their trucks here, they will stop.

:shock: Dude! Those kinds of actions could unintentionally kill others on the road, maybe even you or your family. That's a little over the top.

I understand. Fully. If it bothers you, just flatten ALL tires, so the truck sits on the rims. Or do what it takes so the truck doesn't move at all. Loosen the oil plug on the engine. Whatever it takes.

The ideal is NOT to let these rigs on US roads.

It's war. It's us or them. Take your pick. :twisted:

[greg3564]

Don't need one, I'm born and raised in the USA, thank you very much.

I would not be surprised if he is here on a pass.
Goin Fer It's Wife

What part of "Don't need one, I'm born and raised in the USA" don't you get? I think PackRat established the fact that he's not "Mexican" or a "wetback" as you put it. Jesh!

[mowman]

This is pretty serious stuff. Some old-timers are kinda blase about this because they remember the same type of panic setting in when Canadian drivers were allowed on our roads.

The difference is that Canadians won't and aren't expected to work for .10 / mile.

Here's the gist as I understand it. I'd appreciate any clarification/amplification.

... a Mexican CDL will equal an American CDL. The concern here is that Mexico doesn't have the ability to track driver history like we do in the USA. In addition, there is a big concern regarding forged documents.

... Mexicans will be expected to pass DOT inspections as we do. The concern here is that there simply aren't enough inspectors to take on this new requirement.

... Mexicans will be expected to have insurance from US insurance companies.

... Mexicans will be expected to follow our HOS rules. The concern here is falsification and the fact that there's no control over what happens in Mexico prior to crossing the border.

... Mexican drivers will only be allowed to carry freight originating or destined in/to Mexico. I don't know how easy it would be to get around this. The same restriction will apply to us when travelling SOB.

The main concern is that Mexicans are willing to work for .10 / mile. This is the first step, but it does not open the entire country to Mexican drivers right now.

However... have you been on I-35 lately? What's happening is that overseas companies are finding it much cheaper to ship to Mexican ports. The Chinese factor in here in that they own much of the port facilities there.

I-35 is being expanded up to Kansas City with the goal of that city becoming the main entry of overseas goods (carried from Mexican ports) into the US.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist - although I've read a lot of conspiracy theory. This is happening. If you've been on I-35 in the Southwest, you'll see it's much more than a theory at this time. This major construction includes roads and rail.

So what does this mean in the long run? I'm guessing we'll see huge changes in shipping lanes. We're a global economy. Companies that produce and ship domestically may not be affected. Companies that deal globally probably will have a main freight lane between themselves and Kansas City because once it gets there it's very cheap (with Mexican drivers, or rail) to get it overseas.

My guess is that this doesn't add to US freight totals because I'm thinking US drivers will be very reluctant to travel in Mexico. It's certainly something I'm not looking forward to due to safety concerns (banditos) and lack of facilities. Perhaps over time the big chains will move there - or some enterprising Mexican firm will fill the need.

[Cluggy619]

After hours of writing on this board, I have finally come to a solution.

I'm moving to Mexico.

[Goin Fer It]

Don't need one, I'm born and raised in the USA, thank you very much.

I would not be surprised if he is here on a pass.
Goin Fer It's Wife

What part of "Don't need one, I'm born and raised in the USA" don't you get? I think PackRat established the fact that he's not "Mexican" or a "wetback" as you put it. Jesh!

I guess just a FOOL and or a traitor anyone who could possibly entertain the idea that Hemispheric Integration would be good for this country is off of their rocker

Goin Fer It's Wife

[Orangetxguy]

This all started back under President Bush senior in 1992 and every President republican and democrate have supported it.
Here is the trick you will not want to drive in Mexico and the lawmakers already know this this is why Mexicans will take all of the runs.There are no rest stops flying j's etc. Mexican ports have updated endlessly the last few years because everything we import from China will come thru Mexico and delivered by Mexican drivers in the States.
Both Democrates and Republicans are hoping this goes over without a fuss from American drivers and citizens they are monitoring the news and congressional e-mails to see if we get pissed or do nothing.

I'm gonna step in here and say, that this assumption is wrong.! President Clinton, in 1993, placed an "Executive Hold", on Trucks from Mexico from traveling on American roads, beyond the 70 mile limit. He issued his order, based on available information, that Mexican Operations did not meet USDOT & FMCSA standards of operation. "It is about the safety of Americans".

NAFTA was not started by Bush 1. NAFTA was started by Reagan. Now, here we are with Bush 2, with a Supreme Court that has 3, Bush 2 appointees, and that Supreme Court has overturned the "Executive Hold" issued by President Clinton, and has determined that Mexican Trucking firms may operate "Nationwide", with the exception that they may not "Pick up & Deliver" between 2 American cities.

That is not word for word from the article..but it covers the Jist of the article.

[Fozzy]

Anyone who thinks that the Mexican Companies and Drivers are going to cause any MORE problems than the run of the mill American Trucker has cause is being either completely hypocritcal or they are completely clueless and blind. To say that the industry has gotten were it is now and there is nothing wrong with the industry from the ground up is laughable.

I watched the self serving Ron Carey Jr or whatever that teamster wonk's name is on one of the talking head channels this morning. Last week he was probably making the same speech to his union comrades without inserting the word "Mexican".

The Mexicans can not possible do this job any worse than a huge segment of the supertrucker population that is already here destroying the industry..

[sweepwing]

I don't think that it is a question of whether or how well they can do the job, it is the fact that this is another case of where the chair is being kicked out from under another whole industry of American workers.

The mega-carriers, hooked up with the large corporations, are the ones that can't fill trucks because they will not raise wages and working conditions to the point that Americans will take the jobs. Do you think that the good companies have any trouble filling trucks?

This is all about busting out the American worker down to Mexican levels. Just listen to Bush when he tours Detroit and talks about the need for Americans to be competative with the rest of the world and the need for a "level playing field". He's telling the truth in that he thinks that it is necessary for an American worker to work for the same wages as a Mexican, Indian, or Chinese.

And for Rat spouting his neo-socialist garbage about the global economy, he is correct that there is a failure of capitalism. Our capitalism is failing when we sell out the middle class in our nation in favor of wealth concentration to the global elite who are intentionally breaking down our national identity and sovereignty. The Rat is part of the Hate America First crowd and is commited to changing this country into a steamy, third world hell.

[OK]

Well said Sweepwing Well said!

I will include the same post I put in the other thread about this same issue:

My company, Celadon, is one of the worst offenders of this "Corporate Grreed" plan to replace many of their drivers with Mexicans and is chomping at the bit spending 10's of millions ln lobbyists funds to grant amnesty to the 20 million Mexicans already here illegally. They even have a fund to help train the illegals for their American CDL's once they get amnesty.

And yes, I'm leaving soon.

Check out this link from an earlier poster. Read all about in the Tombstone Tumbleweed, Page 8:


http://tombstonetumbleweed.com/PDF_A...bleSep0105.pdf

[mowman]

John Hill, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was on CSPAN's Washington Journal call in show.

It was quite interesting.

He said that the national average for US trucks failing a DOT inspection and being put out of services is 23%. The rate is 21% for Mexican drivers inspected at the border or within the 35 mile limit. That's surprising.

He also said that this test program (100 companies from each country) will be safe because they're looking at the best of the best Mexican companies to participate.

Now what kind of nonsense is this? They're cherry-picking what should be a representative sampling of ALL Mexican companies to skew the results.

[OK]

John Hill, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was on CSPAN's Washington Journal call in show.

It was quite interesting.

He said that the national average for US trucks failing a DOT inspection and being put out of services is 23%. The rate is 21% for Mexican drivers inspected at the border or within the 35 mile limit. That's surprising.

Well for me this is not about the safety of the Mexican trucks but about my Company (and others) seeking to replace most of their Drivers with either Mexicans with H1B visa's or to train and hire some of the 20 Million Illegals about to get Amnesty!

Celadon has made it clear during their Investor Conferences (link avail on Celadon Website) that they intend to use their Jaguar (Mexican) division to run as many loads as they can. They state to their investors that this will substancially increase profits due to the much lower wage paid to the Jaugar drivers!

The president (T. Glaser) has even even sent a private letter to the Premium Stockholders that describes the exact intentions of Celadon in relation to immirgant (Mexican) workers. They talk about the vast sums that will be garnered by the stockholers once the plan is achieved!

Sure sounds like a pack of Traitors and Profiteers to me?

Something must be done about this NAFTA agreement with Mexico....

[mowman]

Celadon has made it clear during their Investor Conferences (link avail on Celadon Website) that they intend to use their Jaguar (Mexican) division to run as many loads as they can. They state to their investors that this will substancially increase profits due to the much lower wage paid to the Jaugar drivers!

Are you prepared to walk to another company? Are the other drivers in your company as well informed as you? How do they feel about it?

Something must be done about this NAFTA agreement with Mexico....

Patty Murray (D-Washington) is holding a hearing March 8 regarding this. I think she heads the House Transportation committee.

Good grief. I'm going to align with the left.

[OK]

Are you prepared to walk to another company? Are the other drivers in your company as well informed as you? How do they feel about it?

[

Oh Yea! I have already applied to Crete at a starting wage that pays about $8k more per year They ran my DAC (I know cause I sent for a copy of what they got soon after applying) then called an said I could go to their nearest terminal (about 35 miles away) get a truck, a load and head to their HDQ in Nebraska for orientation!

Yea, I'v spoken to a few other drivers about their plans and they didn't seemed concerned at all? They are all too worried about themselves and their next paycheck. Pitiful, yes?

This is the kind of apathy that will sink this industry!

[mowman]

Oh Yea! I have already applied to Crete at a starting wage that pays about $8k more per year

You deserve a lot of credit for taking action. You're right. Not many will. I don't know what the answers are, but I'm doing all I can to spread the word about what's happening.

I think that's a first step. I talk it up on the CB. It's amazing how few drivers out there know what's going on.

Education is a good first step.

[OK]

Oh Yea! I have already applied to Crete at a starting wage that pays about $8k more per year

You deserve a lot of credit for taking action. You're right. Not many will. I don't know what the answers are, but I'm doing all I can to spread the word about what's happening.

Appreciate that. We must all spread the message and I commend you for being someone who at least is nvolved and not just worried about his next paycheck. Of course that's why were all members here.... because we all want to be involved... yes?

What do you think would happen if some drivers started putting envelopes under the windshield wipers of every Celadon truck they see at truck stops and inside that envelope was a couple of pages stating THE FACTS about the Company and their plans?

[merrick4]

Celadon has made it clear during their Investor Conferences (link avail on Celadon Website) that they intend to use their Jaguar (Mexican) division to run as many loads as they can. They state to their investors that this will substancially increase profits due to the much lower wage paid to the Jaugar drivers!

Are you prepared to walk to another company? Are the other drivers in your company as well informed as you? How do they feel about it?

Something must be done about this NAFTA agreement with Mexico....

Patty Murray (D-Washington) is holding a hearing March 8 regarding this. I think she heads the House Transportation committee.

Good grief. I'm going to align with the left.

Don't worry Mowman, I said the same thing yesterday, but only aligning myself with the right, as I had to agree with Rush Limbaugh on this. Really BOTH parties are against this. This is an American issue not right or left.

[Mr. Ford95]

Can any of you actually show where the trucking industry falls under NAFTA?? The Mexican O/O's do not want this deal to go thru because it allows the US drivers the same rights to go into Mexico.

[Twilight Flyer]

Can any of you actually show where the trucking industry falls under NAFTA?? The Mexican O/O's do not want this deal to go thru because it allows the US drivers the same rights to go into Mexico.

The argument being that most American drivers will probably NOT want to head south across the border.

Again, this is a heated subject with a devastatingly large dividing line. In other words, there is no middle road here. So discuss it all you want, but keep the name-calling and anger to a minimum. Remember the saying...once you've resorted to name-calling, you've already lost the argument.

Thanks.