Truckers' strike/slowdown

[BrianR]

By now you should have heard of a slowdown or outright strike by many truckers across the nation.

I did not participate but support those who did. Talk around the truck stops is, more to come this week. There is talk of a week-long work stoppage. More rolling roadblocks (and attendant tickets). Washington DC protests a la the French, who like to park trucks on the roads to protest things. Truckers' convoy across the nation. You name it.

We are tired of the inequities of pay, higher than reasonable diesel prices, little or no fuel reimbursements, dishonest dispatchers or (especially) freight brokers, who in my opinion are all crooks and low freight rates.

This has been cooking for a long time now, I have been approached by other truckers to join them, unsuccessfully so far. I won't go so far as to say I am not affected by the prices and price-gouging (I am, indirectly) but my heart is with my brother (and sister) truckers who must try to eke out a living in these conditions.

Comments? Questions? I will be posting on this in my blog later this week, after I compose my thoughts more coherently. I will try to answer your posers as best I can, even if I have to research the answer.

Brian

[xoxoxoBruce]

If the stuff I ordered from Omaha Steaks thaws out, I'm gonna kick your ass.

[tw]

Originally Posted by BrianR

We are tired of the inequities of pay, higher than reasonable diesel prices, little or no fuel reimbursements, dishonest dispatchers or (especially) freight brokers, who in my opinion are all crooks and low freight rates.

When top people screw those who work for them, then unions result. A union only reflects how the workers were treated maybe ten years previously.

Problem is that independent truckers have massive weakness. They are too independent.

[elSicomoro]

I don't understand how the oil companies can say that their wealth is deserved and yet still need tax breaks.

My miles-to-delivery ratio has been down recently, while my dollars per mile are up...I've been blessed with good delivery runs lately.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by sycamore

I don't understand how the oil companies can say that their wealth is deserved and yet still need tax breaks.

Hard to argue with that.

[bigw00dy]

Originally Posted by sycamore

I don't understand how the oil companies can say that their wealth is deserved and yet still need tax breaks.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Hard to argue with that.

While I do not agree...I am under the impression that the tax breaks given to big oil are supposed to be ear-marked to be used for future oil exploratation.

While the oil we currently burn is 'easy' to dig up, in the future wells will need to be much deeper or future wells will not be as plentifull.

Again, I am being raped along with everyone else. In fact my next vehicle will be a Toyota Prius. My commute round trip is 110 mile a day.

[Trilby]

I remember a few years ago when the truckers on I-75 did the slow down thing. was really impossible to get around them and a major PITA, but I understood their position.

[lumberjim]

do what you want, but get the fuck out of the passing lane already.....I'm gonna be late for work!

[bigw00dy]

I wonder who, if anyone, on this board(who lives in the tri-state area) can make me a deal on a new Prius while also giving me a good deal on my trade-in.(a 99 taco w/ 300k miles...but I do own it)


Just thinking aloud......

[elSicomoro]

Originally Posted by bigw00dy

While the oil we currently burn is 'easy' to dig up, in the future wells will need to be much deeper or future wells will not be as plentifull.

According to the US Dept. of Energy (from last year), we're importing double what we make ourselves. And ANWR would only give us enough to last anywhere from 9 months to 15 or so years (depending on how we use it).

Having seen gas triple in price since 9/11, I don't think they're doing a very good job of finding new shit.

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by bigw00dy

I wonder who, if anyone, on this board(who lives in the tri-state area) can make me a deal on a new Prius while also giving me a good deal on my trade-in.(a 99 taco w/ 300k miles...but I do own it)


Just thinking aloud......

Go talk to LJ.

[BrianR]

Originally Posted by tw

Problem is that independent truckers have massive weakness. They are too independent.

That's their nature, TW. the independents fulfill an important niche in trucking. However, they tend to have to use brokers to get loads since they are occupied driving, planning, maintaining, more planning and etc.

And the unions ARE in evidence. Teamsters mostly. They cover the ports, many boxload haulers (FedEx, Con-Way etc). And THEY are definitely true to form and behind much of the mischief and shenanigans. My usual feelings regarding unions (esp after the IBEW and I fell out) apply. The independents are the industry bellwether, followed by the owner/ops. Already, independents and gypsies are parking and selling their rigs. Soon, the ranks of company drivers will swell, which is good for major trucking companies but bad for competition.

In the end, YOU will pay for the trouble in the form of higher cost of living. We deliver almost everything you have and when the rates go up, your prices will go up.

Originally Posted by Brianna

I remember a few years ago when the truckers on I-75 did the slow down thing. was really impossible to get around them and a major PITA, but I understood their position.

The slow down thing is, in my opinion, bad for us as a whole as all it does is foster ill-will against truckers by the general public, who are the only ones hurt by this form of protest. I think we are better served by high-profile parking, traditional picket lines and sandwich boards, and even the drive to Washington DC to make ourselves visible to the lawmakers.

Brian

[xoxoxoBruce]

Diesel grows on trees.

[Shawnee123]

BrianR--Last night on the local news they interviewed a local trucker lady. She mentioned that maybe people don't care for the truckers but they move America. I see what you're saying about the slow-down causing more ill will, but it's silly that people have that attitude. I, for one, appreciate what you have to do. It can't be an easy job. Go truckers.

As for the strike, I think it's at least a small way to maybe get people to see how hard the fuel prices are on the trucking companies, and especially on the independent truckers.

You guys aren't a bunch of (insert company here, I will decline) people making 35 bucks an hour who strike every time someone looks at you sideways, and expecting the industry to figure out a way to survive and to hell with the future. You are trying to protect your livelihood.

I applaud the truckers!

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by sycamore

I don't understand how the oil companies can say that their wealth is deserved and yet still need tax breaks.

I believe the thinking goes something like, "If we don't get tax breaks, we won't get to make nearly as many billions of dollars in profits."

Yeah. That's about all there is to it.