Safety Committee drivers run out of hours Friday

UpstateNYUPSer(Ret)

Well-Known Member
Very impressed. Would be even more impressed if you adhered to it rather than justifying how you twist it to your needs. You may not believe it, but if EVERYONE took their lunch when required it would add jobs. I will not argue this with you because you will try to justify why it works better for you.


...yet you remain silent on the Mobil Station Coffee Club....
 

ups1990

Well-Known Member
They are still hours of service which count towards the 60 hour DOT maximum.

Once you have worked 60 hours...in any capacity...you cannot drive anymore. So the 2 or 3 hours a "safety committee" member wastes on coloring posters, grading asessments or inventing new acronyms is 2 or 3 hours that some other driver is going to have to spend doing actual work like delivering or picking up packages on Friday night when the "safety committee" member is conveniently out of hours and home with his/her family.

Most of the time I could care less if the "safety committee" members want to pad their hours doing meaningless safety drivel in the office, but during peak they need to set that crap aside and carry their own weight out in the real world like the rest of us.

Thank you, Soberups. My point exactly. Who cares if they come in at 7am and eat pastries and talk about non-safety issues, I could care less. The problem here was that are main job is to deliver packages on peak and we needed every hour available in order for all drivers to get in at a reasonable time Friday. Why should these guys get to coast it in on friday while the rest of us who were busting our tails all week with a helper get additional work because these guys refused helpers to stay out super late for four days. Folks, it's up to us whether to work safe or not, these guys have no bearing on what happens on any given day.
 

Jack4343

FT DR Specialist
I've been on the safety committee for several years. I work on them 11 months out of the year. The final month I refuse to do any safety activities. I am busy with my real job... being a delivery driver. I told my boss this year of my intentions and his response was "Safety doesn't take a day off" in which I replied "Now is the time to practice what I preach...not to teach". My job first and foremost is to be the best delivery driver that I can be to satisfy my customers and during peak that takes more effort. I'll be back in action on the safety committee in mid January after the after peak rush. Safety is always important but I don't understand it when safety committee members are using up their hours during peak and safety work. I barely came in under 60 the past few weeks and if I would've done safety work, I wouldn't have had enough hours left to complete my route and that is absurd. The oddest thing that happened this year during peak is we had a Ketter audit during the middle of peak. Yep, the auditors were out in force asking drivers their DOK's after 11 plus hours on the road. Glad they didn't ask me because I don't think I would've responded kindly to their requests as I don't think peak season is the time or place for an audit.
 

outta hours

Well-Known Member
In my region all safety committees have been disbanded until further notice. Because of abuses like these and many others. It was a direct order from the union that all members no longer participate in such committees. It was my understanding that this was being enforced nationwide, but maybe not.

The safety committees in my area have been exposed for what the really were. Hourly employees doing supervisory work. Plain and simple that's the bottom line. I could give many examples but I will leave it at that. I am 100 % for working safe, but the safety committee was an absolute fraud and I am glad it has been rescinded.
 

Integrity

Binge Poster
In my region all safety committees have been disbanded until further notice. Because of abuses like these and many others. It was a direct order from the union that all members no longer participate in such committees. It was my understanding that this was being enforced nationwide, but maybe not.

The safety committees in my area have been exposed for what the really were. Hourly employees doing supervisory work. Plain and simple that's the bottom line. I could give many examples but I will leave it at that. I am 100 % for working safe, but the safety committee was an absolute fraud and I am glad it has been rescinded.
outta hours,

Safety Committees are a collectively bargained benefit.

The Teamsters Union has failed to oversee the implementation and enforcement of this collectively bargained benefit.

They have failed on a national basis and a local basis.

It is this failure that has caused the company to be able to manipulate this process to the detriment of the workers.

Please see the Master Agreement Article 18 Sec 20.4.

Just reading this will show you that I speak the truth.

Sincerely,
I
 

Jack4343

FT DR Specialist
I agree that some practices of the safety committees border on Supervisor work such as spending all day following drivers doing observations and inspecting DVIR books to see what drivers have/have not signed them. I have not and will not participate in those types of safety activities. I only participate in safety activities such as working with drivers to help them learn the DOK and safety demonstrations to show them the proper ways to lift/lower and pre-trip. The only reason I do the safety committee is to help my buddies at work be safer in their job to ensure a long career and a healthy life after their career is over. I am not a boss and will not ever be one. It's a struggle with management many days as they try to get me to do things that I don't feel are the responsibility of the safety team. I've held them off so far but if I ever get completely uncomfortable with it then I will no longer be a part of it.
 

Integrity

Binge Poster
I agree that some practices of the safety committees border on Supervisor work such as spending all day following drivers doing observations and inspecting DVIR books to see what drivers have/have not signed them. I have not and will not participate in those types of safety activities. I only participate in safety activities such as working with drivers to help them learn the DOK and safety demonstrations to show them the proper ways to lift/lower and pre-trip. The only reason I do the safety committee is to help my buddies at work be safer in their job to ensure a long career and a healthy life after their career is over. I am not a boss and will not ever be one. It's a struggle with management many days as they try to get me to do things that I don't feel are the responsibility of the safety team. I've held them off so far but if I ever get completely uncomfortable with it then I will no longer be a part of it.
Jack4343,

Are you the hourly Co-Chair?

As a member of the committee have you received your copy of the Safety Committee member handbook?

Sincerely,
I
 

over9five

Moderator
Staff member
I don't like how safety committee members check off who has done their safety book. In essence, they are also ratting on those who have NOT done their safety book.

RATS!!!!!!
 

Jack4343

FT DR Specialist
Jack4343,

Are you the hourly Co-Chair?

As a member of the committee have you received your copy of the Safety Committee member handbook?

Sincerely,
I

No, I am not the hourly co-chair. I am just a regular member of the safety team. Safety Handbook? I'm still waiting on the "No-No's that will get you fan mail (aka warning letters)" handbook, otherwise known as "Flavor of the Month Stuff that will get you fired" handbook.
 

scottneedsthis

Active Member
Safety committees are for one thing. The lawyers. They look good if UPS gets sued. It minimizes UPS's liability. UPS can point to them if something happens and say we did everything we could for safety. At least, this is my opinion.
 
Top