Sitting here this morning reading all the blogs from drivers all over, it started to make me realize how under appreciated we really are. I am so tired of the favoritism at our lot, low pay, no bonus ( I'm sorry certificates and pins!), oh boy! The company is trying to scare us from going union, by putting out antiunion literature, spreading rumors amongst drivers. The rumors are really getting good, like, if we unionize central will pull out of the contract there is a clause in there for that. Or we will lose our runs because the union will put all the runs on the table and give them out according to seniority. When we sign the white card, we're bound by blood and teamster's will start to take money from us. I could keep going on.
My biggest issue is that nothing is being done at our terminal about the "nonunion" drivers making very rude comments to us who want the union. We're the problem. We started this. We come into work everyday and do our job to the best of our ability, we don't start arguments and we feel that everyone has a right to their opinion. But, no we're the bad guys. We're bad because we want better pay, benefits, postings and opportunities for everyone (not just the favorites) and a voice. Some of those really making a big wave against the union I guess this would be bad for them. They don't need the money because spouses have really good paying job, this is just mad money for them. They get everything they want (trips, hours, runs). So a union for them would be bad. I see that. But guess what? They're the minority and if they don't like it, when we vote and become teamster's get a new job!
I have been fortunate enough
I have been fortunate enough to only have one run in with a non-union supporter so far.
The bottom line is- our jobs are hard. Whether you drive a bus and have 60 plus kids ready for school to get out or drive a van like me and have behavioral and LIU that require your attention EVERY day, all the time. We do our jobs because we love our kids. We like being a positive, adult role model for them. We want to encourage them to do and be their best.
The division, back stabbing, name calling and all the other crap is immature, juvenile behavior. I don't act like that and don't want to work with people like that. I had enough of that crap in the corporate scene. My behavioral and LIU children behave better than that. We must show better character than that. Let them throw fits, hiss and moan. In the end, these minority of people will be stuck on a union lot. They will have to learn to behave better or leave. It's that simple.
There is a saying that goes like this: You can't make your candle burn any brighter by blowing someone elses out. That's all they are doing- trying to blow our candles out. We have truth, honesty, unity and decency on our side. We are concerned about each other and ourselves as a whole. They can't compete with that so they try lying, bullying, intimidation- cheap shots. They have nothing valid to stand on.
Most of the non-union supporters are misinformed, selfish, and misguided. They choose to stay that way. We should have compassion and feel sorry for them. They may be out of jobs soon.
We Hold Durham
We Hold Durham Management Accountable
We hold Durham management personally responsible and liable for the way they are allowing some of the non-union workers act towards their fellow employees. If Durham or local management was really concerned about you they would stop the attacks on union supportive workers. Durham wants to have termoil at the yard and they feed on it like a disease. If Durham really does have a neutral policy when it comes to unions as stated by Mr. Richard Bowker, CEO for National Express at the 2009 Annual General Meeting when he affirmed, "National Express has a policy that states we support the rights of employees rights to join a trade union, or not, or their choice" they need to prove it.
Just understand that those that can't make a logical and factual argument on why you shouldn't organize will instead attack you and try to scare you to their viewpoint. I don't know but when you have to threaten someone to get them to think your way I'd questions the facts and motives or that person. I had an old footbal coach tell me once "That once you have to stoop to physical or verbal violence you've lost the argument".
As for those who don't embrace the idea of a union at the yard, don't wish them ill-will. You need to keep the high ground and understand that it might take them a little while to understand the benefits of standing together but they will usually get their. That the person yelling at you today will be the person yelling for your union steward when they need them because of something that Durham has accused them of doing. That you may never get a thank you after they see the gains that you made in your contract but in your heart you understand. It's hard for some to admit they were wrong but deep down inside they know they were.
Just consider the source and understand that after you have your election and are a union they will be scared because of the way they acted and treated you. You will need to be the bigger person and reach across to them and forgive them for what they did and said to you, assure them that you now have to work together on your contract and make them understand that what happened in the past is the past and you still value them as not only a co-worker but also as a friend. You are all now sisters and brothers in the same family - the Teamster family.
Thank you Dean for your
Thank you Dean for your support!