Dang Mr Noheart, I thought this was a forum we could discuss our issues with fellow UPS'ers without personal ridicule. How about some advice on how to deal with the stress of the job instead of suggesting we give up our jobs. For most of us quitting is not an option, but trying to improve our working conditions is an option. Our jobs are a lot like marriage, we go into it thinking we won't end up like all the other drivers we know, unhappy at work and at home. But there are those few drivers I know who are happy at work and at home; those are the people I want to hear from. How do they do it?
The way I see it some management folks are very happily married, to UPS. For the life of them they can’t understand why others wouldn’t want the same bride. Think about it, they’re always with the little woman, 24-7.
I knew full well that going to work for UPS would involve a huge personal sacrifice. Long hours, tired bones and joints. I also knew the financial rewards would be good. What I didn’t expect was a total personal sacrifice. As the years went by many of us “hourly” folks asked the union to negotiate some relief, 95’s etc. The union and UPS agreed to contracts giving us the ability to ask for ZERO, NONE, NO overtime two days a month for 10 months out of twelve. I follow the rules and make my request 2 days in advance, now 5 days in advance, and by golly the king of planning (UPS) can’t seem to make it happen. The SPARCS report (you operations guys know what that is) shows me being superman on road day in and day out. But for some reason I must have “laid down” on the days I asked for NO overtime. Gosh, I really need to work on that I guess.
I’m very happily married to a woman that fully supports me no matter my job or income. Sure, there are times that she wished I didn’t work so much but she deals with it. I in return fully support her and the things she wants to do or where she chooses to work. I don’t see UPS causing my marriage any problems.
Sadly UPS hasn’t figured out or refuses to acknowledge how productive “Happy” employees can be. Most Fortune 500 companies are way ahead of the curve and make billons with very productive and HAPPY employees. UPS employees have already proven how hard working and productive they can be. Just think how unstoppable the UPS machine could be if the employees felt a true sense of support from Atlanta.