Siredline010, thank you for contiuning to keep us updated, even as you continue to take what, I believe, are largely unfair beatings every time you post something on here.
As my user name suggests, I am an air driver and I work in the upper Midwest. Yesterday I got into a conversation with one of the on car sups who I have come to regard as an honest stright shooter. We met for something unrelated, but I just couldn't pass the opportunity to ask him about the future of Article 40 employees in our area and shared with him what I have come to know about the goings on in NY. He said the information was new to him and I believe he was sincere. Given what I have read here and what I was told yesterday, I have no idea what the future holds for me. I was once laid off as an air driver, and while it didn't happen on X-mas Eve, it did take place exactly on my 5th anniversary with the company, not only by date, but, even by day of the week. I had the impression the change was intended to be long term. For me, it came to pass that after 2 months I was back air driving again. This was back in 2005.
Having said what I just have, I absolutely cannot see my self taking personally a lay off and pay cut from the company. Even if it happens on Christmas Eve. And I would encourage those of you who believe the company treated you unjustly, to reconsider your feelings and possibly redirect your actions. I see employment, and especially employment under a union contract as a rule bound activity, sort of like a game of chess, or, better yet, as a sport like wrestling. If someone knocks you off your two feet and holds you to the ground - and it happens in a wrestling match two people agree to undertake, everything described (along with some minor bumps amd bruises) is part of the game. Very different from a situation where someone assaults you on the street. So long as you compete within the agreed upon rules, even if your opponent is a friend, you ought to do your best to "take him down." There is nothing dishonorable to being competitive, using your strengths, and exploiting your oponents weaknesses.
Back to UPS. We live in a capitalist system, and that is something for which I, at least, am thankful. The driving ideology behind American commerce is NOT "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Any organization ultimately keeps any particular individual on board in a particular role because that person contributes more to the organization than they cost. If UPS management has determined that the work air drivers do can be done at lower cost while still following the rules of the contract, I can only respect the changes they would make.
Now if the contract is being violated, that is where we must keep the comapny accountable. That will rquire all of us to keep watch and have a clear understanding of the rules. Instead of getting angry or hurt, let us all be students of our contract, and work with our union representatives in filing grievances when we observe our contract being violated.
As my user name suggests, I am an air driver and I work in the upper Midwest. Yesterday I got into a conversation with one of the on car sups who I have come to regard as an honest stright shooter. We met for something unrelated, but I just couldn't pass the opportunity to ask him about the future of Article 40 employees in our area and shared with him what I have come to know about the goings on in NY. He said the information was new to him and I believe he was sincere. Given what I have read here and what I was told yesterday, I have no idea what the future holds for me. I was once laid off as an air driver, and while it didn't happen on X-mas Eve, it did take place exactly on my 5th anniversary with the company, not only by date, but, even by day of the week. I had the impression the change was intended to be long term. For me, it came to pass that after 2 months I was back air driving again. This was back in 2005.
Having said what I just have, I absolutely cannot see my self taking personally a lay off and pay cut from the company. Even if it happens on Christmas Eve. And I would encourage those of you who believe the company treated you unjustly, to reconsider your feelings and possibly redirect your actions. I see employment, and especially employment under a union contract as a rule bound activity, sort of like a game of chess, or, better yet, as a sport like wrestling. If someone knocks you off your two feet and holds you to the ground - and it happens in a wrestling match two people agree to undertake, everything described (along with some minor bumps amd bruises) is part of the game. Very different from a situation where someone assaults you on the street. So long as you compete within the agreed upon rules, even if your opponent is a friend, you ought to do your best to "take him down." There is nothing dishonorable to being competitive, using your strengths, and exploiting your oponents weaknesses.
Back to UPS. We live in a capitalist system, and that is something for which I, at least, am thankful. The driving ideology behind American commerce is NOT "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need." Any organization ultimately keeps any particular individual on board in a particular role because that person contributes more to the organization than they cost. If UPS management has determined that the work air drivers do can be done at lower cost while still following the rules of the contract, I can only respect the changes they would make.
Now if the contract is being violated, that is where we must keep the comapny accountable. That will rquire all of us to keep watch and have a clear understanding of the rules. Instead of getting angry or hurt, let us all be students of our contract, and work with our union representatives in filing grievances when we observe our contract being violated.
