Unions ...... Good Or Bad??

the first time the [mega carrier drivers] went on strike, every small trucking company would happily jump in and take the freight.

No, the small company drivers would be considered scabs. And that's a nasty business.

Small company drivers would NOT be scabs. Replacement drivers at the striking company would be considered scabs.

I don't want to tell any "old trucker's tales" from the bad old days, because I don't have a link, but bad things probably did happen when a company went on strike.

Dave

Guys and Gals;

Judging by the discord I read on this post, it will be mighty hard for truckers to accomplish any sort of unity. But by sticking together and having ONE voice is the only way to change things. Many people so far have shared their own personal anecdotes and experiences with unions, most of these experiences seem to be on the negative side. But again, this is due to bad management in charge of unions.

The solution that I proposed would show the world the true power of truckers. You are the blood of this nation. Please do not underestimate the power of this. The only way we can harness this power is by uniting! What makes America great? It's unity, it is after all called the United States of America! Please reflect on this and know that it is very much in your power to do something about it. We need our own union, one that only caters to truckers and no other industry. If you want change then you have to see the big picture and understand that IS possible to change things. You just have to want it hard enough!

There are currently fifteen stock exchange listed trucking companies in the US. I do not know what percentage of total freight they haul, but it's safe to assume that it is a good chunk of the total. If only the trucks at these companies shut down for a week, the message would be received loud and clear. The argument that the small carriers will jump in and take the freight is non-sense. They just do not have enough trucks to pick up the slack. Yes, they will take some loads, but the majority would be sitting still.

So, at the risk of repeating myself, it is possible to change things, unity is the way, how hard do you desire this change?

First of all let me be clear that for my part in this discussion I'm just generalizing across all industries, not just trucking.

With regard to trucking specifically you wouldn't be able to take the normal route of forming a union and negotiating with companies because the industry is too fragmented. You can combine the top 10 largest trucking companies in North America and I don't think you'd have 1% of the trucks on the road. If the industry was consolidated like the airlines where 90% of all employees work for one of maybe five companies then you could consider unionizing the industry. But with such a high level of fragmentation that wouldn't be an option.

I think the only way truckers could hope to get higher pay or better conditions would be through legislation, and good luck with that! That's not gonna happen. Nobody is going to legislate higher pay for anyone. Now I have heard that in Europe they're moving to an hourly pay scale and away from mileage pay but I know almost nothing about this. I imagine it was legislated at some level but I don't know any details.

Yes, trucking is very fragmented, but that is just an obstacle. How many users does Facebook have? Did you ever think so many people would willingly sign up and share every minutiae of their lives? Yet you seem to think that just because and industry is fragmented it can't come together for change? Many people seem to have given up before even starting. The other side has already won.

I guess this quote by Henry Ford is true:

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."

Freedom of Association is a fundamental right in our society. Many people have given their lives for this right. It's a shame that we so easily give up and not join together. It is possible, you just have to believe in it!

I have been a member of the teamsters,laborers and 23 years with UAW also worked non-union construction for many years. Many of the things for and against unions hold true to some extent or another,but the retirement benefits are priceless unless you want to work your old age away. I know most companies offer 401 and the like make sure you are enrolled and contributing as much as possible you wont be young forever.

the first time the [mega carrier drivers] went on strike, every small trucking company would happily jump in and take the freight.

No, the small company drivers would be considered scabs. And that's a nasty business.

I watched up close and personal when the union at the biggest packing house in my area went on strike. I knew union folks and so-called scabs. The scabs were happy to make some decent money for a while to pay bills. The union guys were happy to turn over their cars and shoot at them. Yes, with guns. There were some deaths at the hands of the striking workers. The governor called out the National Guard to keep the picket lines from turning into more of a bloodbath.

But unions are all for the little guy, right? Unless they mess up their strike, I guess.

scabing a strike is like someone coming in and lowballing you at your job.it is hard to maintain a good working wage under those conditions

scabing a strike is like someone coming in and lowballing you at your job.it is hard to maintain a good working wage under those conditions

Sure, but that's how the market works. The person who lowballs the striking worker's wage is willing to do it because they're going to make more than they currently are, which is usually nothing because they're unemployed and need work.

I don't usually hear many complaints when some new store opens and lowballs their competition's prices. Nope, everyone starts shopping there, forcing the other guy to lower prices. And millions of people wait till the day after Thanksgiving to buy stuff that's deeply discounted, meaning sellers are making less profit than they would have. It's human nature to try to get the best price for goods and services. Even Commies do it.

Do you really believe that the union encouraged individuals to shoot people? Or could there be that occasional lunatic (that show up rarely at places like schools, malls, offices, etc), that just happens to be a union member on strike?

So let's just think through this scabbing issue as it would apply to the trucking industry.

1. Truckers go on strike for a week 2. How much will trucking companies have to pay the scabs? If your answer is less than they currently pay truckers, well then why don't they come in the industry now when there is such a shortage? You mean to tell that all of these scabs will suddenly appear out of nowhere to work for less than they could now? 3. There is also the issue of needing a CDL to drive a truck, most take around 6 weeks to complete. Going on strike for a week will not bring any fresh drivers in.

The issue of having to face scabs if truckers go on strike is a non-issue.

FREIGHT RATES DO NOT HAVE TO GO UP FOR TRUCKERS TO KEEP MORE. HOW ABOUT HAVING YOUR INCOME NOT TAXED? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD EASILY EXEMPT TRUCKERS FROM INCOME TAX!