Marne Vet
Well-Known Member
Backstory. New driver comes in, and covers your trip while you're on vacation for 4 weeks. Doesn't make his seniority, but they keep him around right from summer and into peak cover. He had one day running a trip cold, and like many of us he had a rough day. So back on my trip he went every week while I got moved to cover various call outs. I wasn't happy, but I have always worked with my management team rather than file a grievance. Didn't want the heat that comes with it.
Now it's Peak. On Monday I find out they have me covering my old trip that's basically a split trip. 90% residential, all DR's, and no pickups. This thing runs a minimum 250 a day with 350+ pieces during Peak, but it's been a lot worse this year. My trip during Peak? 160-170, 250 pieces max. Mostly businesses, with hardly any pickups. I asked to be put on my trip, and was told by my dispatcher "no". I tried to argue my case, but all he said was "You'll do as instructed, and can file a grievance" in a cocky manner. My road sup tried to make the switch and was overruled. My manager doesn't want to stick the kid on it cold, so he won't make the move. I like my sups, and manager. Probably the best management team I've had in two decades hands down. I really weighed my options, but at my age and with my broken down body, I can't maintain 280 stops a day like today, or yesterday, or the day before. I decided to put a grievance in on Tuesday. Didn't do a thing. I put another one in today. Still nadda. I basically told them I would put one in every day for the remaining 14 days if I have to cover this ridiculous split trip while a 3 month rookie driver without seniority covers my trip and a third of the work. I get the management side of the debate. I would do the same if I was in their shoes. That's not hypocritical, that's doing what needs to be done from the position even though it's wrong. They know it's not right, and two of my sups have spoken to me on the "side" about how messed up the situation is. I even spoke with my manager last night for 30 minutes just BSing in the office about the deal I've been dealt. My question is, to all with any advice, is how would you approach a situation like this? I'm ready to put 14 more grievances in every day until peak is over, or until I'm put on my trip. I highly doubt any move will happen, but if I back off now and just bend over, I'm not standing up for myself or for younger drivers that get screwed daily. I don't want the heat on me for doing this, but I also don't want to do this without a steadfast position from my side. My dispatcher won't even work with me. If he just lightened me up to 220 a day it would be easier on me, and I wouldn't even make this an issue. In the past this trip ran 220-230 no problems, and I was happy to do it. Cake run. Now though? I'm getting smoked in an 800, so you can only imagine what the inside looks like. No room for my hand-truck so I have to remove stops every day just to fit it. That bad. So, you're the driver in this situation. What do you do? I'd like any and all opinions. Good and bad. I wan't someone to argue the "Devils Advocate" point, and why I should drop the issue and just suck it up. I also would like to see an old timer chime in and give their perspective, and even if we have a few managers or sups around. How do you feel about a situation like this? ~MV
Now it's Peak. On Monday I find out they have me covering my old trip that's basically a split trip. 90% residential, all DR's, and no pickups. This thing runs a minimum 250 a day with 350+ pieces during Peak, but it's been a lot worse this year. My trip during Peak? 160-170, 250 pieces max. Mostly businesses, with hardly any pickups. I asked to be put on my trip, and was told by my dispatcher "no". I tried to argue my case, but all he said was "You'll do as instructed, and can file a grievance" in a cocky manner. My road sup tried to make the switch and was overruled. My manager doesn't want to stick the kid on it cold, so he won't make the move. I like my sups, and manager. Probably the best management team I've had in two decades hands down. I really weighed my options, but at my age and with my broken down body, I can't maintain 280 stops a day like today, or yesterday, or the day before. I decided to put a grievance in on Tuesday. Didn't do a thing. I put another one in today. Still nadda. I basically told them I would put one in every day for the remaining 14 days if I have to cover this ridiculous split trip while a 3 month rookie driver without seniority covers my trip and a third of the work. I get the management side of the debate. I would do the same if I was in their shoes. That's not hypocritical, that's doing what needs to be done from the position even though it's wrong. They know it's not right, and two of my sups have spoken to me on the "side" about how messed up the situation is. I even spoke with my manager last night for 30 minutes just BSing in the office about the deal I've been dealt. My question is, to all with any advice, is how would you approach a situation like this? I'm ready to put 14 more grievances in every day until peak is over, or until I'm put on my trip. I highly doubt any move will happen, but if I back off now and just bend over, I'm not standing up for myself or for younger drivers that get screwed daily. I don't want the heat on me for doing this, but I also don't want to do this without a steadfast position from my side. My dispatcher won't even work with me. If he just lightened me up to 220 a day it would be easier on me, and I wouldn't even make this an issue. In the past this trip ran 220-230 no problems, and I was happy to do it. Cake run. Now though? I'm getting smoked in an 800, so you can only imagine what the inside looks like. No room for my hand-truck so I have to remove stops every day just to fit it. That bad. So, you're the driver in this situation. What do you do? I'd like any and all opinions. Good and bad. I wan't someone to argue the "Devils Advocate" point, and why I should drop the issue and just suck it up. I also would like to see an old timer chime in and give their perspective, and even if we have a few managers or sups around. How do you feel about a situation like this? ~MV
with.
