Is It Really True That Truckers Can't Agree? Let's Try.

[ATeam]

Yet another trucker strike failed today. This one in particular is no surprise since the organizer's agenda was fragmented and, according to many, just plain nuts.

What would it take to organize a group of truckers, not to strick per se, but at least to rally around a common agenda to promote common views? One thing it would take is a common agenda. So, let's see if we can come up with one here.

It is probably best to limit it to three most-popular items so everyone does not go all over the map. And, since this is a trucker agenda, it might be best if the top issues have something to do with trucking.

I propose that we try to produce, here in the Open Forum, a common agenda of three issues. So, let's hear what your three issues are and let's see if as a group we can blend them into three common issues.

For Diane and me, this is easy. We don't have three top issues. Just one. It is retroactive rule making, especially by CARB.

Our perfectly-good truck has a lot of life left in it but at the end of this year it becomes illegal in California. It was perfectly legal when we bought it and fully compliant then. Why can't the government let us run this truck as we intended when we bought it brand new and in good faith?

Our issue: Do not apply new environmental rules to existing trucks. Apply them to new trucks only and let the old ones run through their useful lives.

That is your top issue, or top two or three?

 

[layoutshooter]

CARB
HOS
CSA

Not in any particular order. All are bad. None based on sound science.

 

[paullud]

CARB
HOS
CSA

Not in any particular order. All are bad. None based on sound science.

Give me a break! I say pay is the most important.

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[layoutshooter]

Give me a break! I say pay is the most important.

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NO! Unjustified expenses are more important! So is MPG! So is being a Conserberal

 

[davekc]

If one is to strike and have any success at doing it, it has to be something that contains items that the general public would understand. Pay, fuel prices, maybe taxes and the like.
The general public has no clue about HOS or CSA. Carb rules only apply to the people that go out there to the west coast. Truckers running the NE for example, could care less unless it comes to their playground.
Keep it simple and identifiable to the general public. That would be the only way of gaining any success. After all, that would be who you are trying to convince to become sympathizers of your cause.

 

[paullud]

If one is to strike and have any success at doing it, it has to be something that contains items that the general public would understand. Pay, fuel prices, maybe taxes and the like.
The general public has no clue about HOS or CSA. Carb rules only apply to the people that go out there to the west coast. Truckers running the NE for example, could care less unless it comes to their playground.
Keep it simple and identifiable to the general public. That would be the only way of gaining any success. After all, that would be who you are trying to convince to become sympathizers of your cause.

Told you LOS!

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[zorry]

Give me a break! I say pay is the most important.

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How do you protest to improve pay w/o requesting more regulation ?

 

[paullud]

How do you protest to improve pay w/o requesting more regulation ?

I was joking around because ultimately I think a strike will fail, unless it is HIGHLY organized. To answer your question though I would say educating drivers to make better O/O's or if you have a company that is cutting rates like E1 then the drivers would need to organize and leave at once to make an impact that hurts and sends a message to others thinking they might do the same.

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[davekc]

How do you protest to improve pay w/o requesting more regulation ?

With regards to just pay, it only needs a comparison to the average pay of the average worker. No need for regulation. Your not setting a law, you are trying to get the publics support.
That is where anything starts.

 

[zorry]

Ok, my baby brother makes $88,000 plus per year, home every night and weekends.
He goes to little league games, pta meetings, summer block parties.
He is what people see and know as a truck driver.
The public won't perceive a problem.

Like the fake TV Commercial from a King of Queens episode:

IF YOU CAN SIT DOWN, YOU CAN DRIVE A TRUCK

 

[layoutshooter]

If one is to strike and have any success at doing it, it has to be something that contains items that the general public would understand. Pay, fuel prices, maybe taxes and the like.
The general public has no clue about HOS or CSA. Carb rules only apply to the people that go out there to the west coast. Truckers running the NE for example, could care less unless it comes to their playground.
Keep it simple and identifiable to the general public. That would be the only way of gaining any success. After all, that would be who you are trying to convince to become sympathizers of your cause.

But Phil asked what our top three issues were. So that is what I answered. IF things continue as they are, none of the above will matter. Rates will soon reach the point where it will not be profitable to run.

 

[runrunner]

Yet another trucker strike failed today. This one in particular is no surprise since the organizer's agenda was fragmented and, according to many, just plain nuts.

What would it take to organize a group of truckers, not to strick per se, but at least to rally around a common agenda to promote common views? One thing it would take is a common agenda. So, let's see if we can come up with one here.

It is probably best to limit it to three most-popular items so everyone does not go all over the map. And, since this is a trucker agenda, it might be best if the top issues have something to do with trucking.

I propose that we try to produce, here in the Open Forum, a common agenda of three issues. So, let's hear what your three issues are and let's see if as a group we can blend them into three common issues.

For Diane and me, this is easy. We don't have three top issues. Just one. It is retroactive rule making, especially by CARB.

Our perfectly-good truck has a lot of life left in it but at the end of this year it becomes illegal in California. It was perfectly legal when we bought it and fully compliant then. Why can't the government let us run this truck as we intended when we bought it brand new and in good faith?

Our issue: Do not apply new environmental rules to existing trucks. Apply them to new trucks only and let the old ones run through their useful lives.

That is your top issue, or top two or three?

An Independent Contractor strike makes no sense, Expediters striking makes no sense.

 

[WanderngFool]

I wish we could be treated better and make more money and all the rest. But then there would be a mad rush of people signing up to be truck drivers since most other blue collar jobs don't pay diddly anymore.

The regs help to keep the numbers down as does the impending implosion of our industry from computer driven trucks.

Keeping the number of new recruits down is the only thing we have going for us and maybe we can get another 10 years out of this gig.

You want better working conditions and more money? I'm sorry but the basic law of supply and demand says you can't have both.

 

[aquitted]

I think phil is trucking in Fantasy Land.

 

[ATeam]

I think phil is trucking in Fantasy Land.

People said the same thing when Diane and I entered the industry without experience. They predicted our failure because we did not know what experienced truckers knew. But look at us today. We are rather successful, thank you.

People said the same thing when I founded a new political party in Minnesota. But ten years later, not only had that party maintained major-party status (under the law) for most of that time, we elected a governor.

What seems impossible to some seems very possible to others.

Now, if you go back and read my original post, you can verify that I am not suggesting a strike. I started this thread to see if it was even possible to rally a group of truckers around a common set of issues.

Responding to DaveKC's points about the need for the public to understand what our trucking issues are, what if one of the three issues was mandatory driver's training? If carriers could not add a driver without say six months (or even three) of authentic driver's training, that would end the continual flow of cheap labor into the market, would it not? It would also be something the public would respond positivily to since it would make the roads safer, right?

And just maybe, if the roads came to be filled with truely trained drivers, the HOS nonsense might abate, at least a bit.

So, of the issues mentioned so far, is mandatory driver's training of six months (maybe three) a good issue?

 

[hedgehog]

If one is to strike and have any success at doing it, it has to be something that contains items that the general public would understand. Pay, fuel prices, maybe taxes and the like.
The general public has no clue about HOS or CSA. Carb rules only apply to the people that go out there to the west coast. Truckers running the NE for example, could care less unless it comes to their playground.
Keep it simple and identifiable to the general public. That would be the only way of gaining any success. After all, that would be who you are trying to convince to become sympathizers of your cause.

Since when has any labor force needed or even cared about "public understanding" ????

When did the Teamsters get public understanding when they shut down UPS in 1997 ???

If anything, most strikes inconvenience and sometime disrupt the public's everyday way of life.

Don't hold your breath waiting for any type of solidarity between non-union and independent truckers.

It is what it is. Every man for him/her self.

 

[Brisco]

I think phil is trucking in Fantasy Land.

He always has been..................

And when he says this here:

People said the same thing when Diane and I entered the industry without experience. They predicted our failure because we did not know what experienced truckers knew. But look at us today. We are rather successful, thank you.

...........I totally agree that YES....he HAS BEEN Successful as a "CONTRACT DRIVER" by providing the correct and BEST equipment he could to make a decent living being told WHAT TO DO - HOW TO DO IT - WHEN TO DO IT in the Expediting Industry.

But......in his OP for this thread.....he is trying to Understand why "TRUCKERS" cannot get unified as a whole to conduct a Successful Strike.

Well..........he is Delving into an issue/industry that.....IMO........he would FAIL Miserably in when and if he ever tried to become a True IOO Truck Driver.

Just another thread where Phil is sticking his Nose into an issue where the only knowledge he has of the issue at hand is from stuff he has read about...........or come upon in Discussion Boards here and there. In other words - NO Real Life EXPERIENCE IN WHATSOEVER.

 

[Brisco]

Give me a break! I say pay is the most important.

"PAY" is a Market Based Issue...........NOT a Government Regulated issue.....of which is what is being taken to task in this discussion.

Just trying to make it simple despite what others are coming up with.

 

[paullud]

So, of the issues mentioned so far, is mandatory driver's training of six months (maybe three) a good issue?

A 3 or 4 month training period along with a minimum requirement for 18 months of experience for the trainer would be needed.

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[zorry]

Brisco, a little rough on Phil, don't ya think ?

He has been successful in the segment he entered.
That's a fact.

To say he would fail in another segment is pure speculation. Based on what ?

I've been an authority owner and have seen people prosper with less "tools" than Phil.

His understanding of numbers would give him an advantage over your typical new entrant.

While I don't make it a habit to defend Phil, your comments seem more based on emotion than fact.