Then again there are drivers happy driving OTR for .30-.35 cpm with no benefits. Using Gman's logic, that should be OK also, but in reality all it does is drive wages down across the industry. Sadly, many in OTR are more worried about how many miles they can get per week than what the pay per is.

The same thing can be said about companies that don't pay OT. Driver A gets OT, works 40 and makes what driver B makes working 60 at straight time. I see it as the dumbing down of the workforce. OT was instituted years ago as a way to make an employer pay if they wanted an employee to work more than the standard 40 hour week. Today, companies try to skirt the OT laws and convince their employees that working 60 per week is fine, after all, you are making the same $ as the other guy. :roll:

Agreed, I'm not sure if he works for Pacific Tank Lines or not, but if he does, he's probably pulling down 65 - 70K annually, and he's home every night. PTL runs 24 - 25 days a month w/ maximum hours and their paychecks reflect that.

My company works in the same area that the fuelman does and we work 4-10's and we get paid overtime after 10/40. Now you can roll with us and make 50K a year, or you can work with a company like Pacific Tank Lines (local company that doesn't pay OT) and work more hours and make 65 - 70K. Personally, I like my 3 days off every week, and when I hired on here, I didn't really need or want the heavy hours. Others drivers may make different choices for whatever reasons. Maybe, his wife wants to stay at home with the kids, or maybe he just needs to make more money because of his monthly overhead... who knows?

Bottom line is, I could go work over there and make a lot more money, but I'd be unhappy due to the heavy hours, and he could come over here and have more time off, but go broke.

He's happy where he is at, and so am I.

I am not saying that the employer should not pay overtime, but if his employees are happy and making the same money as their counterparts at other companies, then why should the government even get involved? If these people are not happy then they can always go somewhere else. I don't think it is a matter of driving wages down. He stated that they were making about the same money as others, even though they were being paid overtime. If they make the same money, I don't see that it should matter.

I think that everyone should be paid based upon their productivity. Some would prosper while others faltered. We would see right away who was working and doing their job. If everyone was paid percentage then the problem of whether to pay overtime would not even need to be addressed. The more productive you become the greater your income. I think that that is the fairest way to pay people.

AMEN TO THAT. Guys that work hourly jobs and dont want OT are nothing but scabs in my eyes. They are whats messed up in trucking today.

Interesting how some of the responses are to get a lawyer or cash in on past OT. A lump sum payout after lawyer fees does not replace my income for the next 10 years and most importantly I agreed to work for straight time in the first place, a matter of my word or honor to pre-emploment agreement.

I should back peddle here and state that the State has NOT sued this company but is after several others. Have since had a saftey meeting since I posted this and we spent some time discussing this topic. The owner has sat down with his lawyers, the DOT, and labor lawyers. They all say he is following the law depending on your interpertation of the interstate carrier laws. Does the law pertain to the actual truck or the commodity you are carrying?????

Anyway, there appears to be large gray areas, and our owner says he will always follow the law as he has worked for shady companies in the past and will not ask his employee's to bend the rules.

Will be interesting to see how the next few months pan out, several contracts are up for bid and we are just waiting to see who gets what. Interesting to note that TESORO has told our owner that our operations in southern cali are EXCEPTIONAL, ALMOST PERFECT.

TCT, I work for the company that delivers to circle K and USA.

BTY, interesting to note my wife works for the Riverside County Hospital and she does not get overtime, she works 9/80 and anything over 80 is straight time comp time. Go figure, county/state employee not getting overtime!!!!!!

PEACE OUT 8) 8)
FUELMAN

Why are they only enforcing this on the fuel carriers?

I don't work for a fuel carrier, but I work between 50-60 hours a week and get paid salary. I'm very happy with my pay and I am paid more than the competitive standard pay rate at what someone is making with overtime. I am very happy with who I work for. I hope they don't start doing this to all the carriers in California who don't pay overtime.

I agree with you 100 percent.

Your wife is probably in a union. They have to negotiate there working conditions with there employer, there some excepts like workers comp are non negotiable. She has the right to vote. Unlike in your case were the owner asumes everyone is happy.

Salary and hourly pay are 2 diff. things. I would never take a driving job getting paid salary. But all hourly jobs should get OT after 40.

Mackman wrote: Salary and hourly pay are 2 diff. things. I would never take a driving job getting paid salary. But all hourly jobs should get OT after 40.

Hey Mackman, I felt the same way until I put in some time with them. Now I am getting close to what guys are making hauling fuel. Not quite 65k yet but a few more years and I will. I also get good bonuses and some of my stores give me tips. So this job does pay more than what other companys are paying their hourly employees after they put in double time even.