Question: Is now a good time to buy a FedEx Ground Route?

MrFedEx · 08-18-2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedEx All the Way!

Why did you let the opportunity with McDonalds go? You should have applied as a cook, since you're so unhappy at FedEx. I'm sure Fred would have gladly let you go!!!!

Wow, what a slam...and it only took you a couple of days to think it up. I am really impressed.

FedExer267 · 08-18-2009, 06:30 PM

Ok bbsam you are looking for some input so lets talk about the guys in California. Yes they still work for a contractor but the judge did rule that they are indeed employees correct. Once Fed Ex Express is done and on there way to a union vote look for the teamsters to start a building by building campaign. They will start in the states where the drivers are employees. So if you indeed do own lets say 7 routes how many of those routes do you drive by yourself chances are you have hired 6 drivers. 6 drivers will vote yes because they want benefits, vacatoin pay, holiday pay, hourly pay and overtime well right there your outvoted 6 to 1 chances are it will fall on the contractors at first and when you cant do it Fed Ex will have to step in buy you out probally for cost and bye bye contractor model. Now that California Drivers are classified employees I am sure it is just a matter of time. The Teamsters will come strong after express gets their right to vote. I am pretty sure every contractor has more employees working for them especially when you own multiple routes. The contractors will get out voted employees will win and happily go union to start earning that FAIR DAYS PAY FOR A FAIR DAYS WORK something that many contractors are unwilling to provide. This may be why there are already union members in th ground parking lots handing out their flyers.. We shall see

bbsam · 08-18-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedExer267

Ok bbsam you are looking for some input so lets talk about the guys in California. Yes they still work for a contractor but the judge did rule that they are indeed employees correct. Once Fed Ex Express is done and on there way to a union vote look for the teamsters to start a building by building campaign. They will start in the states where the drivers are employees. So if you indeed do own lets say 7 routes how many of those routes do you drive by yourself chances are you have hired 6 drivers. 6 drivers will vote yes because they want benefits, vacatoin pay, holiday pay, hourly pay and overtime well right there your outvoted 6 to 1 chances are it will fall on the contractors at first and when you cant do it Fed Ex will have to step in buy you out probally for cost and bye bye contractor model. Now that California Drivers are classified employees I am sure it is just a matter of time. The Teamsters will come strong after express gets their right to vote. I am pretty sure every contractor has more employees working for them especially when you own multiple routes. The contractors will get out voted employees will win and happily go union to start earning that FAIR DAYS PAY FOR A FAIR DAYS WORK something that many contractors are unwilling to provide. This may be why there are already union members in th ground parking lots handing out their flyers.. We shall see

I think you continue to miss the point. Probably because you want to. I will not try to convince you otherwise. Ricochet addressed this earlier.

Dads 99 · 08-18-2009, 06:55 PM

I cant wait for the Teamster comine and start fixing this mess of a company.When I come back to my station at night there is no manager present.NONE!

We have a lead that runs the show and basically everyone does whatever they want.Its like a party at night.

bbsam · 08-19-2009, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dads 99

I cant wait for the Teamster comine and start fixing this mess of a company.When I come back to my station at night there is no manager present.NONE!

We have a lead that runs the show and basically everyone does whatever they want.Its like a party at night.

Welcome to the party Dads 99. If you start poking around other threads here, you might find the union a little lacking in the fixing category-- except in the needs fixing.

Dads 99 · 08-19-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsam

Welcome to the party Dads 99. If you start poking around other threads here, you might find the union a little lacking in the fixing category-- except in the needs fixing.

Thats not what ive heard.

FedEx courier · 08-19-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dads 99

Thats not what ive heard.

Better pay,no unchecked retaliation,improvements in fairness,pension,job security,better benefits,sign me up!!!!!woowho!!!!!!

bbsam · 08-19-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dads 99

Thats not what ive heard.

doesn't mean it's not true.

FedExer267 · 08-19-2009, 07:08 PM

Ask any Ups driver it is almost impossible to get fired when the union has your back if you get fired for a lame reason the union has your back. I have seen guys get fired back in the day at Ups they got their jobs back a week later with the pay they missed while out. Thats job security

bbsam · 08-19-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedExer267

Ask any Ups driver it is almost impossible to get fired when the union has your back if you get fired for a lame reason the union has your back. I have seen guys get fired back in the day at Ups they got their jobs back a week later with the pay they missed while out. Thats job security

Even if they deserved to get fired? That's not job security. That's stupid.

Brown287 · 08-22-2009, 05:42 PM

The union provides you with something that you guys fail to mention, the nerve to stand up for what you know to be right. Unions will never solve every problem, but knowing that the union provides a platform for you be treated fairly, in its self will raise morale. Ive been at UPS for many years and have seen many things that are both good and bad, but at the end of the day 30 dollars an hour will not only make the hard work required worth doing, but make it much easier to put up with the day to day B.S.. Ask yourself if the job that you are expected to do is woeth the compensation you get, if it is then you have no concerns but if the answer is no, then stand up and fight for something more. Also one last point, UPS invited the union down to organize its employees, too bad that Fed-Ex lacks both the courage and the integrity to even provide its employees the abillity to organize succesfully.

Dads 99 · 08-22-2009, 06:00 PM

If all the Fedex employees had to vote on a union,i guarantee we would go union immediatly.

UpstateNYUPSer · 08-22-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dads 99

If all the Fedex employees had to vote on a union,i guarantee we would go union immediatly.

Hopefully we will soon see if your prediction will come true.

tracker2762 · 08-23-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsam

Even if they deserved to get fired? That's not job security. That's stupid.

That doesn't mean that a driver can do what ever he feels like. It also doesn't mean he should be fired for minor infractions. We are watched like hawks and every thing we do shows up on some report and I mean everything. Every second of our day is analyzed. For most drivers their HABITS have been so etched in there routine that it's second nature. Others need a little help but in no means should result in termination.

bbsam · 08-23-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracker2762

That doesn't mean that a driver can do what ever he feels like. It also doesn't mean he should be fired for minor infractions. We are watched like hawks and every thing we do shows up on some report and I mean everything. Every second of our day is analyzed. For most drivers their HABITS have been so etched in there routine that it's second nature. Others need a little help but in no means should result in termination.

Are you suggesting that the union does not protect the jobs of people legitimately fired? I am aware that UPS has some ridiculous policies, but that is why you get paid the "big" money, isn't it?

MrFedEx · 08-23-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsam

Are you suggesting that the union does not protect the jobs of people legitimately fired? I am aware that UPS has some ridiculous policies, but that is why you get paid the "big" money, isn't it?

I'm sure that the unions do occasionally protect people who should probably be fired, but it's the exception, not the rule. At FedEx is the exact opposite, where many people who should NOT have been fired have lost their jobs or been forced to resign. That's one of the major reasons why we do need to go Teamster.

Consider the FedEx "policy" on unemployment benefits, which is to NOT pay them. That's why employees are almost always given the option to "resign" under duress, negating their ability to collect unemployment. FedEx is completely crooked, and you have the gall to imply that a union would create some sort of illegitimate security capsule for employees. There needs to be a mechanism in place to check the unbridled power of little Napoleans like Fred....it's called the Teamsters.

Dads 99 · 08-23-2009, 09:22 PM

GO TEAMSTERS!!

Its not a matter of if anymore.Its a matter of when.Going union can only mean good for Fedex,especially management,as they are the ones who get fired for the drop of a hat.

rocket man · 08-24-2009, 10:24 AM

I think you should buy both routes. IN a couple of months when you want to go on vactaion OH you cant because you have pay fedx to go. or better yet let us know how much the 4 tires you replaced cost. and the 3 oil changes possibly a water pump and the days your trucks wich we call cars were down how much were the replacements were.? and dont forget the cords on back door that broke. a taillite a bulk head door handle . dam transmission 2and gear went out again. your driver you hired wants a day off or better yet a vacation.some nerve. what do you mean he wants lunch every day. the card board factory you know the big account moved 20 miles out of your area but they still use fed x and your diver still needs a day off. BUY BOTH ROUTES NOW........

things2auction · 08-24-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dads 99

GO TEAMSTERS!!

Its not a matter of if anymore.Its a matter of when.Going union can only mean good for Fedex,especially management,as they are the ones who get fired for the drop of a hat.

Most the time management isn't included in the union

DOWNTRODDEN IN TEXAS · 08-24-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by things2auction

Most the time management isn't included in the union

True, but in their defense (that was REALLY hard to type with a straight face and not cuss!) they would get to tell the PEOPLE MANUAL buh-bye, no more guess work, no more interpretation, it would all be cut and dried and spelled out in black and white.

bbsam · 08-24-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFedEx

I'm sure that the unions do occasionally protect people who should probably be fired, but it's the exception, not the rule. At FedEx is the exact opposite, where many people who should NOT have been fired have lost their jobs or been forced to resign. That's one of the major reasons why we do need to go Teamster.

Consider the FedEx "policy" on unemployment benefits, which is to NOT pay them. That's why employees are almost always given the option to "resign" under duress, negating their ability to collect unemployment. FedEx is completely crooked, and you have the gall to imply that a union would create some sort of illegitimate security capsule for employees. There needs to be a mechanism in place to check the unbridled power of little Napoleans like Fred....it's called the Teamsters.

It's not just me that has that gall. Go to the union section of this site and read for a few hours. And by all means, unionize! If you think it will make things better, then do it. Organize and do it. And don't give me this crap about being targeted by the company. It happens. But sometimes ya gotta put all the cards on the table. Maybe you win. Maybe you lose. Waiting for a royal flush (RLA, ground losing the IC model, efca including card check) is a fool's play. "Screw your courage to the sticking post and we shall not fail!"

Fantasm · 09-11-2009, 01:35 AM

Hi,

I have some questions and thought I'd post it in this thread rather than start a new one since this one is recent.
I am considering buying a bunch of routes (10+) and simply managing the drivers. Can someone (bbsam?) please detail me the intricacies of being in such a position?
Are we required to use only the FedEx approved delivery trucks? Do I have the ability to decide if I get a new truck on a lease or is it just a mix and match of whatever is in inventory (including very used, high mileage)?
Can I just buy the truck outright from the beginning?
Do I have to perform maintenance at FedEx service bays or can I get it fixed anywhere?

Are the drivers capable of working without a manager? Can they autonomously head to depot, load up, and do deliver/pickup?

I can see my recurring expenses would be:

- Truck Leases (or can I buy them out right for $45k~?)
- Gas
- Possible Truck Maintenance (but if its a new truck, it should be good for a while?)
- Drivers
- Insurance??

Please let me know what I'm missing and if I'm missing anything from the big picture or the details...

Greatly appreciate the help!

MrFedEx · 09-11-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbsam

It's not just me that has that gall. Go to the union section of this site and read for a few hours. And by all means, unionize! If you think it will make things better, then do it. Organize and do it. And don't give me this crap about being targeted by the company. It happens. But sometimes ya gotta put all the cards on the table. Maybe you win. Maybe you lose. Waiting for a royal flush (RLA, ground losing the IC model, efca including card check) is a fool's play. "Screw your courage to the sticking post and we shall not fail!"

If the RLA exemption ends..we will unionize. For most of us at Express this is our last and best shot. Targeting people is illegal, and it shouldn't happen. I realize it does, but FedEx pretends to always be open to the idea of unions when the reality is that to speak openly about the Teamsters is a very bad idea. Your "royal flush" analogy is flawed because everything is contingent on the RLA. If Fred keeps his special deal, it's not even worth trying because it is realistically impossible to form a union unless we're under the NLRA.

FedEx courier · 09-11-2009, 04:57 PM

Wow, looks like the IC vs. employee issue is not settled as we've been told. Check it out!

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/...t_6875294.html

Looks like FedEx is in trouble on every end!

MrFedEx · 09-11-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FedEx courier

Wow, looks like the IC vs. employee issue is not settled as we've been told. Check it out!

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/...t_6875294.html

Looks like FedEx is in trouble on every end!

On no!! What a perfect trifecta this would be.

1. FedEx loses on the RLA.

2. Ground IC's are ruled to be employees.

3. The EFCA passes.