Hello everyone! New here but not a newbie

[nightrunner]

I' m questioning the way alot of these companies do business. We sign up as a self employed contractor which means that we should be able determine when we work and how much we"ll run for but most of these companies tell us when to be available and make us run for their price and not the price that we want! Are we really employees disguised as private contractors in order to run for an outrageous rate/hour.We basically have to be available 24/7 to make a liveable wage when you take off all your expenses.
I called around different goverment agencies in Canada to give me a ruling on Self Employed or Employee on this matter and they can't help me for we have no protection. These companies are very carefull in writing their contracts in saying that you are self employed and work when you want but after you're in there than the contract is not followed if the situation doesn't suit them. They'll just get rid of you if you try to exercise as being self employed. Has anybody else given this any thought? Is there anyone out there to protect us if the companies break the contract? As self employed, can they really tell us to run that cheap load? or tell us when we have to work?

 

[xiggi]

I have not experienced those problems at any company. You go out of service when you want you dont accept loads that dont pay enough,pretty simple. Could it be better? Sure any job i have ever had could be better. If im not happy i just find something that fits me better.

 

[Bruno]

I'm a contractor. Do you work for a contractor as a sub contractor or do you own your own truck?

 

[greg334]

Well I am assuming you are from the great white north which is a lot different than here.

With that said, we are contractors for a very good reason - the companies can't operate with employees.

The other issue that keeps popping up seem to be an issue with accountability of the contractor in regards of the carrier - in other words in service times and acceptance rates. I think, and it seems to be the thinking of legal minds I have asked that in service measurements and acceptance rates are a form of employment. As it was describe to me by one of the FedEx managers in Green, they do make business decisions to terminate contracts on acceptance rates.

 

[Jack_Berry]

I' m questioning the way alot of these companies do business. We sign up as a self employed contractor which means that we should be able determine when we work and how much we"ll run for but most of these companies tell us when to be available and make us run for their price and not the price that we want! Are we really employees disguised as private contractors in order to run for an outrageous rate/hour.We basically have to be available 24/7 to make a liveable wage when you take off all your expenses.
I called around different goverment agencies in Canada to give me a ruling on Self Employed or Employee on this matter and they can't help me for we have no protection. These companies are very carefull in writing their contracts in saying that you are self employed and work when you want but after you're in there than the contract is not followed if the situation doesn't suit them. They'll just get rid of you if you try to exercise as being self employed. Has anybody else given this any thought? Is there anyone out there to protect us if the companies break the contract? As self employed, can they really tell us to run that cheap load? or tell us when we have to work?

why should any company have loyalty to employees? its just the way of the world these days. basically if all that bothers you then this this not the business you should hire into. maybe you should be an independent instead. that way if the company does you wrong it will likely close.