Illegal Anti-Union Meetings

[Crappy Place]

Our senior did the same thing with the lap top and read off a piece of paper. He did a very poor job stating the companies case,just saying that this would change the way the company does business. When couriers spoke up to question the companies stance he never really gave a answered just basically blew them off. Managers continue to say on a daily basis that this change would be very bad for the company. Even a few managers are wondering about their futures if and when FedEx moves our freight over to ground. Things will change with this company and I'm afraid to say it won't be to our benefit...

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by Crappy Place

Our senior did the same thing with the lap top and read off a piece of paper. He did a very poor job stating the companies case,just saying that this would change the way the company does business. When couriers spoke up to question the companies stance he never really gave a answered just basically blew them off. Managers continue to say on a daily basis that this change would be very bad for the company. Even a few managers are wondering about their futures if and when FedEx moves our freight over to ground. Things will change with this company and I'm afraid to say it won't be to our benefit...

From what I've read, all of the meetings were carefully scripted and said essentially the same thing. They don't want to answer questions because they cannot give answers that do anything but follow Fred's agenda. One of the reasons I could never go into management is the fact that you have to continually tell lies and distort the truth....even if you think otherwise. To not do as Mamphis says is to end your career on the spot.

[UpstateNYUPSer]

It will, of course, be to our benefit.

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by UpstateNYUPSer

It will, of course, be to our benefit.

Yes, the great UPS "conspiracy" to make Fred go on food stamps.

[UpstateNYUPSer]

Originally Posted by MrFedEx

Yes, the great UPS "conspiracy" to make Fred go on food stamps.

Please pass me a Kleenex.

[bbsam]

Originally Posted by UpstateNYUPSer

It will, of course, be to our benefit.

back off upstate! that volume's coming to ground contractors. without the rla exemption, there is no need to separate the two. and with the hard to unionize contractors express will be let out to dry. yes, i smell the blood in the water and i do not care if it belongs to my brother. let the feeding frenzy begin!! just kidding, mrfedex--kinda.

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by bbsam

that volume's coming to ground contractors. without the rla exemption, there is no need to separate the two. and with the hard to unionize contractors express will be let out to dry. yes, i smell the blood in the water and i do not care if it belongs to my brother. let the feeding frenzy begin!! just kidding, mrfedex--kinda.

Who knows what Smith is really thinking and plotting. Maybe he'll cut all the contractors loose when all of you become employees and hire replacement drivers from India who will be paid $4.00 per hour. You and the DHL guys can start a used-truck lot and go on unemployment.

[bbsam]

Originally Posted by MrFedEx

Who knows what Smith is really thinking and plotting. Maybe he'll cut all the contractors loose when all of you become employees and hire replacement drivers from India who will be paid $4.00 per hour. You and the DHL guys can start a used-truck lot and go on unemployment.

I know what Smith is thinking. Its all about the fluidity of the business model. The loss of the RLA exemption is problematic, and there is relatively little that Fedex can effectively do about it. I actually agree with a UPS spokesman who call Brownbailout.com turning up the noise. Even though i think Fedex has a cogent and intelligent challenge to the removal of that exemption, I don't know that it will matter.
That brings us to the IC legal battles. Without the exemption, I don't see that it is worth it for Fred to continue to operate separately. The simple savings made through incorporating the two and shedding 1/3 to 1/2 of expresses employees would easily fascillitate the continuation of legal battles. And if you doubt that the transition would be that easy, look at what Fedex has been spending their money on. I would be willing to bet that a simple reflash of the starIII scanners would allow us to scan express packages. I don't know about Express hubs but Ground hubs have been growing exponentially in size and sophistication. While most of Fedex posted huge losses Ground showed a slight profit. Knowing what we know of Mr. Smith it seems to defy logic to suggest that Ground contractors would be jettisoned when there remains legal precedent as well as IRS acknowledgement of the IC model.

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by bbsam

I know what Smith is thinking. Its all about the fluidity of the business model. The loss of the RLA exemption is problematic, and there is relatively little that Fedex can effectively do about it. I actually agree with a UPS spokesman who call Brownbailout.com turning up the noise. Even though i think Fedex has a cogent and intelligent challenge to the removal of that exemption, I don't know that it will matter.
That brings us to the IC legal battles. Without the exemption, I don't see that it is worth it for Fred to continue to operate separately. The simple savings made through incorporating the two and shedding 1/3 to 1/2 of expresses employees would easily fascillitate the continuation of legal battles. And if you doubt that the transition would be that easy, look at what Fedex has been spending their money on. I would be willing to bet that a simple reflash of the starIII scanners would allow us to scan express packages. I don't know about Express hubs but Ground hubs have been growing exponentially in size and sophistication. While most of Fedex posted huge losses Ground showed a slight profit. Knowing what we know of Mr. Smith it seems to defy logic to suggest that Ground contractors would be jettisoned when there remains legal precedent as well as IRS acknowledgement of the IC model.

Another courier told me that he tried his PowerPad on a Ground package and was successfully able to scan it. You might try your device on an Express pkg and see what happens.

[Ricochet1a]

Originally Posted by MrFedEx

Another courier told me that he tried his PowerPad on a Ground package and was successfully able to scan it. You might try your device on an Express pkg and see what happens.

Unless this has happened in the last two weeks, the software in the Express PPad won't recognize a Ground bar code. I usually demonstrate to customers who want me to pick up their Ground with Express that the machine goes "beep" with Express bar codes, and no "beep" and a blinking scan light with Ground barcodes - followed sometimes by a warm boot.

Most Couriers don't realize all it will take is an update in software, and Express bar codes can be read by Ground equipment. You can bet this is already in the works, if not already done. When Ground handhelds are given the software to recognize Express barcodes, the end of the full time Courier is near.

If Fred can hold off the RLA status change, Bbsam may just get his wish and become a mini-Fred with his own fleet of Green painted trucks. He can tell his employees how much he values them and he believes in prioritizing his business outlook with a people first, service second, profit third philosophy. He can offer them yearly pay increases of about 2 percent or so and have an internal newsletter come out every quarter reminding his employees how lucky they are to work for him. He can institute an "Advance to Superior Service" program (***), where his more ambitious employees can ensure the remainder are being as productive as possible while he looks to expand his venture into foreign markets. All things are possible under the IC model with Fred at the top...

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by Ricochet1a

Unless this has happened in the last two weeks, the software in the Express PPad won't recognize a Ground bar code. I usually demonstrate to customers who want me to pick up their Ground with Express that the machine goes "beep" with Express bar codes, and no "beep" and a blinking scan light with Ground barcodes - followed sometimes by a warm boot.

Most Couriers don't realize all it will take is an update in software, and Express bar codes can be read by Ground equipment. You can bet this is already in the works, if not already done. When Ground handhelds are given the software to recognize Express barcodes, the end of the full time Courier is near.

If Fred can hold off the RLA status change, Bbsam may just get his wish and become a mini-Fred with his own fleet of Green painted trucks. He can tell his employees how much he values them and he believes in prioritizing his business outlook with a people first, service second, profit third philosophy. He can offer them yearly pay increases of about 2 percent or so and have an internal newsletter come out every quarter reminding his employees how lucky they are to work for him. He can institute an "Advance to Superior Service" program (***), where his more ambitious employees can ensure the remainder are being as productive as possible while he looks to expand his venture into foreign markets. All things are possible under the IC model with Fred at the top...

This did happen within the last 2 weeks, and the individual is not a flake. Does the *** program work in conjuction with the ***(Submissive, Underhanded, and Conniving) program? I think a ****** program would be great for those brown-nosing couriers who drink the Kool-Aid daily, falsify to make management look good, and generally don't have a clue how badly they are being used.

[JoeVser]

Originally Posted by FedEX 4 Life

I dont get it with all this kool-aid talk.If you hate Fedex so much,go quit and work for UPS.I love my job.Its the best job ive ever had.I am a part time pick-up driver.Yes I only make 36k a year and no overtime but its a perfect easy job for me.What is so illegal about a private company having a meeting that involves unionization????

It is because Fedex is non-union that I am able to work there.

When you're part time,it's the best job going.....

[bbsam]

Originally Posted by Ricochet1a

Unless this has happened in the last two weeks, the software in the Express PPad won't recognize a Ground bar code. I usually demonstrate to customers who want me to pick up their Ground with Express that the machine goes "beep" with Express bar codes, and no "beep" and a blinking scan light with Ground barcodes - followed sometimes by a warm boot.

Most Couriers don't realize all it will take is an update in software, and Express bar codes can be read by Ground equipment. You can bet this is already in the works, if not already done. When Ground handhelds are given the software to recognize Express barcodes, the end of the full time Courier is near.

If Fred can hold off the RLA status change, Bbsam may just get his wish and become a mini-Fred with his own fleet of Green painted trucks. He can tell his employees how much he values them and he believes in prioritizing his business outlook with a people first, service second, profit third philosophy. He can offer them yearly pay increases of about 2 percent or so and have an internal newsletter come out every quarter reminding his employees how lucky they are to work for him. He can institute an "Advance to Superior Service" program (***), where his more ambitious employees can ensure the remainder are being as productive as possible while he looks to expand his venture into foreign markets. All things are possible under the IC model with Fred at the top...

I believe it will occur if Fred cannot hold off the status change. The real amazing thing is that two months ago people on this site thought I was completely out in left field (or right field if you think of it politically) with these theories. It almost sounds like I'm being taken seriously. But really, I think my posts taken as a whole illustrate an IC mindset. Leaving aside the legality issues and personal opinions, i think my point of view is not so much a pro fedex stance so much as it is a bbsam stance. I see opportunities for my company to grow, and if it happens to benefit Fedex, then it is a mutually beneficial relationship. I compete with my fellow contractors, I compete with UPS and I have no qualms with competing with Express, Freight, or any other currier service or trucking company. Really, it's business and nothing personal. So if taking pride in being a somewhat successful contractor who continues to look for expansion possibilities brings the ire of others on this thread I understand. But maybe this helps others understand why many of us believe we are ICs. We see the challenge as opportunity and ICs involved in litigation as poor business owners [broad generalization] looking for a payout in a situation that was clearly laid out for them before signing the Operating Agreement. Yes, "that is exactly what Fred wants you to believe" but from our point of view there is validity. The model can and does work, but I don't believe everyone has the mindset for it. Don't get me wrong. I don't say it is a better or superior mindset, just a different one.

[fredly00]

Well we used to be able to pup ground packages(at express) but they disabled the option
about a year ago.. now if they re enabled it, I'll have to check. But it used to be under
exceptions, no pkg, page down to ground, and you were able to scan.

But because ground is covered by NRLA, if express carriers started handling Ground we could "push" for the same coverage... thus the reasoning of us being forbidden to pup
Ground packages, unless "accidentally" put in drop box.

[Ricochet1a]

Originally Posted by fredly00

Well we used to be able to pup ground packages(at express) but they disabled the option
about a year ago.. now if they re enabled it, I'll have to check. But it used to be under
exceptions, no pkg, page down to ground, and you were able to scan.

But because ground is covered by NRLA, if express carriers started handling Ground we could "push" for the same coverage... thus the reasoning of us being forbidden to pup
Ground packages, unless "accidentally" put in drop box.

I get Ground packages all the time in drop boxes. They get taken in and the CSA perform a scan on them at the station. The boxes all state "Ground packages not accepted...". I wish we could just toss those suckers, and NOT really accept them.

[MrFedEx]

Hey bbsam,

I don't fault you for trying to have a successful business, but don't Fred's ethics (or lack thereof) bother you sometimes? What you don't seem to understand is that he'll stab you someday just like he's stabbed us. Do you think Ground IC's will somehow be immune if he decides to head in a different direction? Look what happened to the DHL contractors recently when they decided to pull the plug. He's sure keeping everyone in the loop on the software changes isn't he? That's our Fred.

When you land under the bus, take notes and let us know how you like it. He prefers Blue Birds, but a Flxible or New Flyer will do in a pinch. Prevosts were too expensive.

[Testicular Fortitude]

Originally Posted by ricochet1a

i get ground packages all the time in drop boxes. They get taken in and the csa perform a scan on them at the station. The boxes all state "ground packages not accepted...". I wish we could just toss those suckers, and not really accept them.

i will not accept any fedex ground or fedex home pkgs from any of my customers.i politely explain to my customers that the ground and home divisions are totally different companies.they must call the 1 800 number and schedule a pick up through the ground or home division.when one of your customers complain about the inferior service provided by ground or home tell them to call the toll free number for fedex and complain,also tell your customers to tell their shippers or recipients not to use fedex ground or home.as far as drop boxes are concerned leave the pkgs in there or return them to the shipper and explain the situation to them.the other option is after 3 days in the dropbox take pkgs and give to the ground or home route in your area.stand up for yourself and do whats right to preserve our jobs.

[Hoaxster]

Originally Posted by Testicular Fortitude

i will not accept any fedex ground or fedex home pkgs from any of my customers.i politely explain to my customers that the ground and home divisions are totally different companies.they must call the 1 800 number and schedule a pick up through the ground or home division.when one of your customers complain about the inferior service provided by ground or home tell them to call the toll free number for fedex and complain,also tell your customers to tell their shippers or recipients not to use fedex ground or home.as far as drop boxes are concerned leave the pkgs in there or return them to the shipper and explain the situation to them.the other option is after 3 days in the dropbox take pkgs and give to the ground or home route in your area.stand up for yourself and do whats right to preserve our jobs.

Appreciate that!

[UpstateNYUPSer]

Originally Posted by Testicular Fortitude

i will not accept any fedex ground or fedex home pkgs from any of my customers.i politely explain to my customers that the ground and home divisions are totally different companies.they must call the 1 800 number and schedule a pick up through the ground or home division.when one of your customers complain about the inferior service provided by ground or home tell them to call the toll free number for fedex and complain,also tell your customers to tell their shippers or recipients not to use fedex ground or home.as far as drop boxes are concerned leave the pkgs in there or return them to the shipper and explain the situation to them.the other option is after 3 days in the dropbox take pkgs and give to the ground or home route in your area.stand up for yourself and do whats right to preserve our jobs.

Far be it from me to tell you or anyone how to do their job, but wouldn't it simply be much easier to simply accept the pkg(s) and either bring them back to your center (station/depot/barn?) or drop them off at an authorized FedEx outlet, if available, or leave them at a business that you know has a FedEx ground pickup? Customers don't know or care whether you are Express, Ground, Freight or Home Delivery as long as their pkg gets from Point A to Point B. The time will come (sooner than you may think) when you will all be on the same team; in fact, you may be on the bench while your ground co-workers are in the starting lineup, handling work that used to be yours.

I have several drop boxes on my area and it is not uncommon to get pkgs for FedEx or the PO because people basically can't read. If it is a USPS pkg, I will simply put them in the nearest mailbox or will leave them at the MBE. If it is a FedEx pkg, I will either leave them at the MBE or will drop them off at their station, which is on the way back to our center. The look on their faces when I walk in and hand them one of their pkgs if priceless. Why penalize the customer simply because they can't read?

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by UpstateNYUPSer

Far be it from me to tell you or anyone how to do their job, but wouldn't it simply be much easier to simply accept the pkg(s) and either bring them back to your center (station/depot/barn?) or drop them off at an authorized FedEx outlet, if available, or leave them at a business that you know has a FedEx ground pickup? Customers don't know or care whether you are Express, Ground, Freight or Home Delivery as long as their pkg gets from Point A to Point B. The time will come (sooner than you may think) when you will all be on the same team; in fact, you may be on the bench while your ground co-workers are in the starting lineup, handling work that used to be yours.

I have several drop boxes on my area and it is not uncommon to get pkgs for FedEx or the PO because people basically can't read. If it is a USPS pkg, I will simply put them in the nearest mailbox or will leave them at the MBE. If it is a FedEx pkg, I will either leave them at the MBE or will drop them off at their station, which is on the way back to our center. The look on their faces when I walk in and hand them one of their pkgs if priceless. Why penalize the customer simply because they can't read?

If we accepted Ground pkgs on the road the line between employee and IC would be crossed and Smith couldn't say that Express drivers don't move Ground pkgs and vice versa. He has a vested interest in keeping them totally separate, at least for now. FedEx stations already accept Ground pkgs over the counter. A Ground driver makes a regular pickup every afternoon for the outbound. At my station, it's several pallets worth of freight every day. Customer Service agents can fully process the Ground product and have done so for several years.

This is more of the lie that Ground and Express are totally separate, which is what Smith wants everyone to believe as he fights against the RLA and to preserve the fatally flawed Ground IC model. Express freight routinely moves via Ground semis and FedEx Express facilities accept and process Ground freight each and every day. More lies and deceptions from the master of both.

[bbsam]

Originally Posted by UpstateNYUPSer

Far be it from me to tell you or anyone how to do their job, but wouldn't it simply be much easier to simply accept the pkg(s) and either bring them back to your center (station/depot/barn?) or drop them off at an authorized FedEx outlet, if available, or leave them at a business that you know has a FedEx ground pickup? Customers don't know or care whether you are Express, Ground, Freight or Home Delivery as long as their pkg gets from Point A to Point B. The time will come (sooner than you may think) when you will all be on the same team; in fact, you may be on the bench while your ground co-workers are in the starting lineup, handling work that used to be yours.

I have several drop boxes on my area and it is not uncommon to get pkgs for FedEx or the PO because people basically can't read. If it is a USPS pkg, I will simply put them in the nearest mailbox or will leave them at the MBE. If it is a FedEx pkg, I will either leave them at the MBE or will drop them off at their station, which is on the way back to our center. The look on their faces when I walk in and hand them one of their pkgs if priceless. Why penalize the customer simply because they can't read?

i agree completely. when i drop packages off at the local ups station, it's part courtesy and part personal pleasure. i still know probably 70% of them by name

[bbsam]

Originally Posted by MrFedEx

Hey bbsam,

I don't fault you for trying to have a successful business, but don't Fred's ethics (or lack thereof) bother you sometimes? What you don't seem to understand is that he'll stab you someday just like he's stabbed us. Do you think Ground IC's will somehow be immune if he decides to head in a different direction? Look what happened to the DHL contractors recently when they decided to pull the plug. He's sure keeping everyone in the loop on the software changes isn't he? That's our Fred.

When you land under the bus, take notes and let us know how you like it. He prefers Blue Birds, but a Flxible or New Flyer will do in a pinch. Prevosts were too expensive.

thank-you for your concern, but no i don't concern myself with things i cannot control. i will continue to make the best of whatever situation i happen to be, so if i end up under the bus, maybe i can become a mechanic. and as for fred's ethics, no they don't bother me whatsoever. just as i did not look to the white house (bill clinton) for ethical direction, nor do i look to memphis. i've seen people all walks of life have to start over (especially in the economy lately) and i have done it myself. yes, it sucks, but it is not the end of the world.

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by bbsam

thank-you for your concern, but no i don't concern myself with things i cannot control. i will continue to make the best of whatever situation i happen to be, so if i end up under the bus, maybe i can become a mechanic. and as for fred's ethics, no they don't bother me whatsoever. just as i did not look to the white house (bill clinton) for ethical direction, nor do i look to memphis. i've seen people all walks of life have to start over (especially in the economy lately) and i have done it myself. yes, it sucks, but it is not the end of the world.

The old "if life gives you lemons, you'll make lemonade line"? I prefer not to have the lemons shoved up my butt, so if there's anything I can do to stop that from happening, I'm going to do it rather than just be passive about being a lemon receptacle.

Pretty soon, the next batch of lemons that come along are going to get crammed up Fred's rear end instead.There are more than a few of us that are willing to take more drastic measures as a show of our displeasure. That would include things like stopping the AM sort, taking breaks during P1, and "breaking" our vehicles, which isn't hard to accomplish.

I've also talked to some of our RTD's (feeder drivers). They aren't happy, and that's a workgroup that is capable of creating havoc very quickly since they have direct control over large quantities of freight. Imagine what would happen if a CTV has a "breakdown" with 5 cans of P1 and doesn't make the AM sort? What if 6 or 7 of these guys decide to call-in sick on the same day....how does your freight get to the station? It doesn't.This is the kind of stuff that's in the works if things don't change.

[bbsam]

Originally Posted by MrFedEx

The old "if life gives you lemons, you'll make lemonade line"? I prefer not to have the lemons shoved up my butt, so if there's anything I can do to stop that from happening, I'm going to do it rather than just be passive about being a lemon receptacle.

Pretty soon, the next batch of lemons that come along are going to get crammed up Fred's rear end instead.There are more than a few of us that are willing to take more drastic measures as a show of our displeasure. That would include things like stopping the AM sort, taking breaks during P1, and "breaking" our vehicles, which isn't hard to accomplish.

I've also talked to some of our RTD's (feeder drivers). They aren't happy, and that's a workgroup that is capable of creating havoc very quickly since they have direct control over large quantities of freight. Imagine what would happen if a CTV has a "breakdown" with 5 cans of P1 and doesn't make the AM sort? What if 6 or 7 of these guys decide to call-in sick on the same day....how does your freight get to the station? It doesn't.This is the kind of stuff that's in the works if things don't change.

and this is why i never tell you what to do or how to do it. if the lemons make your butt pucker, by all means pass the ex-lax around. and if you think such moves by hourly employees are going to get you treated better, absolutely, have at it. a few things i would say: with the volume and economy where they are, can there people afford to lose their jobs? how hard do you think you (and the rtds(theres a pun there that i will leave alone)) would be to replace. there are after all alot of dhl and truck drivers out of work.

[MrFedEx]

Originally Posted by bbsam

and this is why i never tell you what to do or how to do it. if the lemons make your butt pucker, by all means pass the ex-lax around. and if you think such moves by hourly employees are going to get you treated better, absolutely, have at it. a few things i would say: with the volume and economy where they are, can there people afford to lose their jobs? how hard do you think you (and the rtds(theres a pun there that i will leave alone)) would be to replace. there are after all alot of dhl and truck drivers out of work.

They can't fire everyone who sits down on the sort, can they? Who would deliver the pkgs. I've been at a station where this happened, and there was massive managerial panic. One person reached over and shut down the belt, and we all just sat on the bumpers of our trucks while the Ops managers ran around making threats. We had an Managing Director at the station the next day and a VP within the week. Nobody was disciplined and we got what we wanted. This was 10 years ago, when most workers still had a decent opinion of the company. FedEx is used to everything and everybody going by the rules, and when it doesn't, they're lost.

It doesn't have to be overt action anyway. There are lots of things you can do to throw a wrench in the gears, from mass sick-calls to locking the keys in your truck by "accident" at 5:15 pm. Most employees are smart enough to be able to get away with covert activities that will disrupt operations.