Should all drivers be teamsters?

Should all drivers from every trucking company join the teamsters Union what is your take? Would this help or hurt the driver?

Well I wont be voting because there isnt an undecided option. But my opinion is this. It would be good to the extint that drivers might finally get fair wages and insurance. And a decent retirement. On the other hand I have seen some unions go on strike for some of the stupidest things. IE fighting about a 10 cent raise or a few dollar cut in there insurance payment. So my vote is undecided.

[Tiki]

I've belonged to 2 different unions, and neither really did any good. Actually, at both jobs, I had better wages BEFORE the union came in. So, no, I wouldn't be in favour of it. However, it may be different in the US, as I'm in Canada.

well sanchez sorry for not having undesided After driving for non union and now for union I won't go back I have the best bennies and good pay I would like to see all drivers have same.

[TheNewGuy]

I'm all for anything that will help truck drivers. A union may help company drivers, but it will definantly hurt O/O's. I deal with alot of union guys (dockworkers) in New Jersey and in Portland, some say the union is good, some don't. I am very on the fence about this issue, but right now I do not believe a major national union will benefit the majority of truckers.

[PAB]

In general Unions are one of the many things that are ruining this country :x

It probably depends on the industry. Since I'm not yet a driver, I have no opinion about this for trucking, other than to say in a lot of industry's, workers have generally gotten more salary, benefits and job protection by being in a union than not. Unions have been responsible for turning manufacturing from slave shops to fairly decent conditions. The job I had before retiring had a union which was responsible for negotiating a total of 550% increase in salary, shortened work week and additional benefits over the 17 years I was in the job. This was probably unusual, but it is MY frame of reference.

[SoapinTrucker]

From what I understand, unions were started to protect drivers, right? Well, now, there are plenty of laws in place to do that.

Also, when I have seen guys come up to me and try to get me to sign a card, they could never really explain why. Their favorite reply was "to protect your job!". My reply was "from what? If I damage a vehicle, steal, or lie, don't I deserve to get fired? And if I did anything less offensive, don't I just get a letter or warning, that I deserve?".

The discussion ends quietly.............

As for pay, the union only makes about $2.00 more per hour than what our pay scale is, BUT, you have to pay union dues, and put up with strikes, and layoff's! Plus, we get bonuses every year, company wide (not just an individual driver, everyone!)

Our company has check systems in place to allow for error. If I have an accident, I'm allowed to request a review board of 2 peers, 2 white shirts, and one bigwig. They all talk to me on the phone, ask questions, and allow me to speak. Then, they decide if I keep my job.

That's pretty fair to me! (and yes, I have seen drivers keep their jobs by using the review board!).

So, why go union? I see NO reasons.......................

JMHO...............

Mike (SoapinTrucker) Tayon

[BigAtrukn]

i think they should stay the same, cuz unions r good, but they aint that good, plus non union outfits r just as good or even better, some worst. either way it depends on the driver

[SoapinTrucker]

Hmmmm.....ok.

Well, the union is good for thing anyway, setting the pace. If they were gone, I think trucking as we know it would get worse!

I just don't fit in, that's all, but others obviously do, and that's cool to

Mike

[BigAtrukn]

thats true, if union were to be gone, other companies wouldnt have to compete with pay, thats why they should just stay the way they are. i know that in september of 2005 coming up, the entire state of californias grocery haulers contract comes up, just wanted to add that.

[Mr. Bean]

I have been a member in 3 unions: Retail workers, Auto Workers, and Communication Workers. I have also been on both sides of the fense as Union Steward and First Level Manager. In areas where the relative bargining power of the worker is weak, unions provide some means of protection and benefit for the worker. In areas where the union tends to dominate, the worker will, in the long run, get the short end of the stick by seeing his job go out the door. It is one thing to work for the betterment of your membership, it is another to bargin them out of a job. Personally, I have no use for the Teamsters as a union. The intent with their leadership seems to be aimed at keeping their six figured salaries and political clout while their membership pays for their mistakes with loss of jobs. The same was ture with CWA and the UAW. I still have respect for the Retail Workers, retail jobs are poor pay, poor benifits, and little respect for the individual.

[solo379]

I have been a member in 3 unions: Retail workers, Auto Workers, and Communication Workers. I have also been on both sides of the fense as Union Steward and First Level Manager. In areas where the relative bargining power of the worker is weak, unions provide some means of protection and benefit for the worker. In areas where the union tends to dominate, the worker will, in the long run, get the short end of the stick by seeing his job go out the door. It is one thing to work for the betterment of your membership, it is another to bargin them out of a job. Personally, I have no use for the Teamsters as a union. The intent with their leadership seems to be aimed at keeping their six figured salaries and political clout while their membership pays for their mistakes with loss of jobs. The same was ture with CWA and the UAW. I still have respect for the Retail Workers, retail jobs are poor pay, poor benifits, and little respect for the individual.

Very well said! 8)