UPS Driver commits suicide

[dannyboy]

dil

we might have let him have it, but we would have also told him of many drivers that have done it, and after anywhere from 1 to 21 days off, got their jobs back.

yes, management forces the issue with drivers that are really close on air. in some areas more than others.

but dealing with the issue is not the focus of this thread. there are so many ifs and whats on this case it breaks the heart. at least mine.

d

[dilligaf]

Originally Posted by dannyboy

dil

we might have let him have it, but we would have also told him of many drivers that have done it, and after anywhere from 1 to 21 days off, got their jobs back.

yes, management forces the issue with drivers that are really close on air. in some areas more than others.

but dealing with the issue is not the focus of this thread. there are so many ifs and whats on this case it breaks the heart. at least mine.

d

And mine as well Danny, and I agree with you. We will never know one way or the other if we would have been any help. Maybe to someone in the future. But I do know in my heart that you can help Janice.

[chev]

Originally Posted by dilligaf

And mine as well Danny, and I agree with you. We will never know one way or the other if we would have been any help. Maybe to someone in the future. But I do know in my heart that you can help Janice.

Who knows? This thread alone may have already been that little bit of encouragement someone out there might need. Maybe someone that doesn't even post. I really hope it shows that there are people here that are willing to help out in many ways.

[dannyboy]

chev

thank you. i guess that is what i have been trying to say.

no matter what, what ever you are going though, either someone has been down that path before, or we can help, if nothing more than holding your hand as you go down that path.

being alone, and feeling alone are two different things.

people that are very proficient in torture learned a long time ago that the vast majority of humans break when they feel they are alone in what they are going through. the alone does not have to be real, only their perception that they are alone.

you put that same person with others to where they can talk, their resistance to breakage becomes very great.

jim broke. not a personal failure mind you. but a failure in the system that broke him.

there are a lot of people right now that are suffering because of what happened, not only janice.

being/feeling alone is hell.

d

[But Benefits Are Great!]

When confronted with change, some people fight, some people don't. Some see opportunity (albeit forced), some see the end of the world.

I agree w/Steve's point of view. From what he posts, I could see him working 30 years for UPS, and, if fired for some reason, he'd dust himself off, stand up & say "Next?" (Before you start slamming me, that was meant as a large compliment - as much as it pains me to do so)

I am the same way in that regard. It is just a job. To lose it, to be forced to change, sucks. So does life. Get a helmet.

I posted a prayer earlier on this thread, from the depths of my heart. It was honest. Is there a more cutting pain than losing a loved one, especially by his own hands? I think not. I pray Janice finds the strength to carry on, knowing it was not her fault, not anyone's fault. Although I find the idea of posting on a forum after a loved one's death utterly bizarre (I cannot think of a stronger word or I would use it) if it works for Janice, and we can help ease the pain, we should help.

We SHOULD NOT, however, feel that UPS is to blame for this. NOBODY does, nor will anyone EVER know what was going on in this man's head. Coming to the point of taking one's own life is cumulative - not any one occurrence causes it.

[brother in brown]

I think that is very brave of you to come to this site how you did and really know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Lobofan5]

Originally Posted by But Benefits Are Great!

We SHOULD NOT, however, feel that UPS is to blame for this. NOBODY does, nor will anyone EVER know what was going on in this man's head. Coming to the point of taking one's own life is cumulative - not any one occurrence causes it.

Oddly enough I began to work for UPS because my husband was let go of his job for 10 years with no warning or notice. I had been a stay at home mom for 4 years before that happened..then we had to move, change everything.and I needed a job FAST. The hours worked out for us..and the rest is history.

I post this because, today, almost 4 years exactly ago, I remember the look on my husbands face when he came home. When he told me. When it sunk in. I will never forget that. I will never forget that employer and what they did to my husband and to my family. To be thrown out like trash after years and years of dedicated service....

well, lets just say...UPS HAD A LARGE PART OF IT.

[drewed]

Originally Posted by Lobofan5

Oddly enough I began to work for UPS because my husband was let go of his job for 10 years with no warning or notice. I had been a stay at home mom for 4 years before that happened..then we had to move, change everything.and I needed a job FAST. The hours worked out for us..and the rest is history.

I post this because, today, almost 4 years exactly ago, I remember the look on my husbands face when he came home. When he told me. When it sunk in. I will never forget that. I will never forget that employer and what they did to my husband and to my family. To be thrown out like trash after years and years of dedicated service....

well, lets just say...UPS HAD A LARGE PART OF IT.

This shouldnt be for discussion in this thread, both arguements have valid points, please dont make this thread a whos to blame thread.
Thanks

[705red]

Originally Posted by But Benefits Are Great!

When confronted with change, some people fight, some people don't. Some see opportunity (albeit forced), some see the end of the world.

I agree w/Steve's point of view. From what he posts, I could see him working 30 years for UPS, and, if fired for some reason, he'd dust himself off, stand up & say "Next?" (Before you start slamming me, that was meant as a large compliment - as much as it pains me to do so)

I am the same way in that regard. It is just a job. To lose it, to be forced to change, sucks. So does life. Get a helmet.

I posted a prayer earlier on this thread, from the depths of my heart. It was honest. Is there a more cutting pain than losing a loved one, especially by his own hands? I think not. I pray Janice finds the strength to carry on, knowing it was not her fault, not anyone's fault. Although I find the idea of posting on a forum after a loved one's death utterly bizarre (I cannot think of a stronger word or I would use it) if it works for Janice, and we can help ease the pain, we should help.

We SHOULD NOT, however, feel that UPS is to blame for this. NOBODY does, nor will anyone EVER know what was going on in this man's head. Coming to the point of taking one's own life is cumulative - not any one occurrence causes it.

This is not just a job for most of us. You dont purchase homes, cars and raise a family on just a job. Those are serious decisions and knowing that you have a career behind alot easier to make them.

You have not been at ups nearly enough time to understand what i am talking about, The majority of us have slaved working 2 and 3 jobs to get our shot at making a career out of it. The majority of us stood on picket lines protecting our careers, the majority of us understand the sacrafices and yes while we might complain from time to time that is our right as we have earned it in our career choice!

You have what about a year in? And you feel that gives you the right on how to determine what is a ups job or career?

What was your career before you came to ups or was it just a job?

As a union steward that represents people that get fired, i see the pain in the peoples eyes. I understand how hard it is for them to go home and tell their wives that they have just been fired, i have been fired 3 times and im still here. Why? Because its obvious all 3 times it was not a terminating offense, and the union decides on if the company was wrong.

I only wish jim would have waited and had his day at panel, but he didnt and for that i am truly sorry. And for those of you that say dont blame ups, bs, he was obviously taught how to do the pre recording by someone as i and other drivers have been. Some have the stones to say no i wont do this and others think they are helping their management team and do it and for what to get fired!

I am so sorry for derailing this thread but this was on my mind, janice my prayers are with you and yours. RED

[Lobofan5]

Im not blaming. Just stating its a factor not to be ignored.

I have been taught how to 'cheat' by the very people that could on a whim fire me for that very same activity.

My best wishes to the family. He sounded like a great guy. I'm sorry for your loss.

[dannyboy]

please, bc members and guests,

if you want to make a political statement on mental health, assigning blame for what happened, please have the dignity to start your own thread.

this one is not the place.

please?

d

[Cezanne]

I decided to get back into this site to put my two cents on the senseless tragic death of a fellow UPSer. Depression is real and will effect most of us in some form or another whether your management or hourly. Please keep an eye on our fellow employees, family and friends. If the only positive thing that Jim's death would teach us is to stop this stupid "tom and jerry" labor relations system and start treating all people as you would want to be treated. There are no winners in this situation, everybody lost.

Several years ago we have a suicide on our building, 15 year employee. Nobody knows why, at work there was no hint to the depth of depression she was in. After we found out about it, nobody talked about, no counseling, nothing, like it never happed. I do remember a situation were it was brought to the attention of manager in the building during conversation and without thinking he remarked that "he half way felt sorry for writing up a warning letter on her". You should of seen the shocking reaction on the face of a supervisor who informed him over that remark. It is a sickness that all of us have to fight.

With the current crisis in the financial markets and all that it retains I expect more and more people feel that their whole world is collapsing on them. Any form of depression has to be treated immediately.

Hats off to Tie's previous post, it hit home on all points. Again I offer my prays for Jim's family and friends....

[Captain America]

This thread has left me shaken. Perhaps it hits to close to home. I have sought help with depression in the past and hope I would again, if necessary. The perpetual dissatisfaction philosophy (Did you achieve that goal? It must have been to easy.) can really wear you down sometimes. I grieve for him, even not knowing him. Best wishes to you and yours.

[skid mark]

I am still here reading the posts everyday. I know some people don't understand why I am doing this, but it makes me feel connected to Jim. I would catch him up at 4 in the morning sometimes reading browncafe. It wanted to connected with other people in his situation. I think everyone who posts on this thread, whether I agree with everything that is said or not, I want to keep it going...........Thank you again for keeping Jimi's memory alive so other UPS employees can read about him......

[dannyboy]

janice

its good to hear you are doing alright considering......

the memory of jim is something that no one can take away. not ever.

jim is in good hands.

but our real concern is that of you and the kids, that everything is alright. and it is the ones left behind that struggle.

know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, and if there is something that the bc can help you with/through, please let us know.

we are, for all the infighting, family.

d

[dilligaf]

I think everyone would agree with Danny sentiments. There are alot of people who care and will help as much as possible.


We give them back to you, dear Lord, who gave them to us.
Yet as you do not lose them in giving, so we have not lost them by their return.


I hope this gives you some solace.

[LiL"Comet"]

Janice,

I thought of you tonight when my employee I spoke w/ and got him in touch w/ EAP options. He called in sick tonight which is unlike him, almost startled at first as to what to say. I didn't mention anything about not coming in as most people think all management would about calling in sick during peak. I listened for a moment while he talked thinking exactly what or how to ask if he was really ok (sick). Not at all like he was maybe lying but away to ask if he was OK? I just simply asked ____ are you OK, is there anything I can do for you if this is in reference to your personal life now? He said no, he was getting through day by day and the counseling was helping.

So I left it at that reassuring him if he needed to talk or whatever to please don't hesitate to call me.

I hope he is OK and will be able to come back Wednesday I plan on giving him a call tomorrow around lunch to ask if he's coming in, really just to check on him.

Keep on Keeping on J you are doing a good job and we are very proud of you for having the courage to come here and share your life with us at BC

You have helped me!!!

[dilligaf]

It's nice to see that there are a some sup's that can see beyond the dollar sign and realize that we are, afterall, human beings. We all have problems and sometimes all it takes is for one person to notice that, to make a difference. Thanks Comet.

[deepsouthmamaw]

I am sooo sorry for your loss. I work for ups (27) years. My husband commited suicide 10/12/07. He Had cancer I had fmla leave in place management sent me a warning letter intent to fire to much time off. My husband recieved warning letter at home10/11/07. The note said ---- this is the best thing for you. Love -----

[dannyboy]

mammaw

so sorry to hear that you lost your husband that way.

there were times before fmla that ups had the option of working with each individual situation.

now, it seems that somewhere at ups, someone decided that we will go by the letter of the law, not the spirit. instead of making things better, they got made worse.

there would have been so many better ways to have handled that besides an impersonal letter.

d

[LiL"Comet"]

Mamaw,

I very sorry to hear of your loss I commend you to for going on and facing the reality of life. I could not even imagine what you have been through and J is now going through now. I don't know what I would do without my husband he is the love of my life and without him is life would not be the same. Your will always be in my prayers.


God bless you & Take care

[Camping Nana]

May the peace that passeth all understanding flood your soul today!

I just looked at the pictures and read Jim's profile. Your signature to him - kind of hit me square between the eye - my husband and I often teach with the "I love you more" . I can't imagine the pain you must feel - may God give you strength, direction and guidance with all the decisions you will be making in the coming days, weeks and months!

[drewed]

How are the kids doing?

[tiegirl]

Hello,

Is this a real story? I am shocked! If so I am deeply sorry for your loss. Not working for UPS is not the end of the world.

I hope you are able to seek recourse due to your loss.

May God Bless you.

Originally Posted by skid mark

Skid Mark has passed away, he killed himself on Mon Nov 17, 2008. He was fired from UPS for supposedly falsifying delivery records. He had recently filed grievances concerning the new satellite routes. He told me the management would harrass him after filling the grievences and only about 3 weeks later he is fired and commits suicide.

Signed
His Wife.....

[tiegirl]

Cumlative? 30 years at the same job, a well paying job. Cumlative and UPS had nothing to do with it. He was here for 30 years. What are you thinking? How his spouse greives is up to her, not you. She too has been with UPS for 30 years. Maybe she finds things familiar to her here.

Are you cold hearted or just a self centered idiot?

Originally Posted by But Benefits Are Great!

When confronted with change, some people fight, some people don't. Some see opportunity (albeit forced), some see the end of the world.

I agree w/Steve's point of view. From what he posts, I could see him working 30 years for UPS, and, if fired for some reason, he'd dust himself off, stand up & say "Next?" (Before you start slamming me, that was meant as a large compliment - as much as it pains me to do so)

I am the same way in that regard. It is just a job. To lose it, to be forced to change, sucks. So does life. Get a helmet.

I posted a prayer earlier on this thread, from the depths of my heart. It was honest. Is there a more cutting pain than losing a loved one, especially by his own hands? I think not. I pray Janice finds the strength to carry on, knowing it was not her fault, not anyone's fault. Although I find the idea of posting on a forum after a loved one's death utterly bizarre (I cannot think of a stronger word or I would use it) if it works for Janice, and we can help ease the pain, we should help.

We SHOULD NOT, however, feel that UPS is to blame for this. NOBODY does, nor will anyone EVER know what was going on in this man's head. Coming to the point of taking one's own life is cumulative - not any one occurrence causes it.