How long do apprenticeships usually last in trade unions? Being a preloader is not akin to being an apprentice of becoming a driver. The only places where people make big bucks quickly typically are non-union, meaning whether you get the big bucks is somewhat subjective.
I am happy the two-tier system is off the table, it seems. Even as a "driver-apprentice", the typical ptmer will make more money than they probably ever did, provided they know their working rights and grieve when the company has supes shuttling misloads instead of them (after they make their 30 days, of course). Seeing how $25/hr is par for the course in the transportation industry, I can still feel good recommending people put themselves in the pipeline, especially in my local where you may not have to wait 5-10 years to go driving.
Along with our pay, the wage progression was probably among the best in our industry (USPS is now 6-9 years; FedEx, according to their BC sub-forum, is currently "never"). Of all the things that could have been lost, this one doesn't have to sting as bad.