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New PPADS...Ground and Express using the same unit.
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<blockquote data-quote="Ricochet1a" data-source="post: 888793" data-attributes="member: 22880"><p>Given the seemingly "suddenness" of the information regarding the roller decking (something that I stated almost two years ago would be the key indicator that the "plan" was being moved on) - I made a couple of quick calls - one to someone VERY knowledgeable with regards to how fast it would take to certify a union and another who is still in Express (to get an opinion as to what actions Express is taking with the jump in health care premiums for 2012). </p><p></p><p>For a company under the RLA (like Express) it would take a minimum of 4 months from the start of a HIGHLY organized union drive till enough signatures were collected to even consider getting a certification election done. Given that the IBT isn't going to go out on a limb at this stage for Express - the 4 month time span was the absolute shortest time it would take. Realistically, a year, given the glacial pace with which union rep cards have been coming in - and that is assuming a massive upsurge in people being willing to take the plunge - more or less. Unofficially, the IBT isn't looking to start an organizing drive in Express anytime soon. So unless Express really does something stupid in the next couple of months and shoots off their "corporate foot" - no real fear of unionization from Express' standpoint. </p><p></p><p>Given all the talk and activity, it is looking like Express is going to make a tenative effort to start the conversion sometime early next year, possibly spring. There is no way a union could be certified in that time period, especially given that there has been practically no motion in that direction as of yet. </p><p></p><p>As far as the jump in premiums in health coverage - it seeems Express is concerned, but not worried. They put out a video "explaining" all of the changes (using the term "contributions" instead of "premiums") to describe how employees' out-of-pocket expenses were going to go up rather significantly, especially for those who are married without children (describes many part-timers in Express). </p><p></p><p>I believe that Express isn't too worried about the wage employees (excepting the mechanics), in regards to health care costs increasing. I wasn't able to get a firm number with regard to what the mechanics will be receiveing in terms of a pay raise in the coming year. It does appear that there are no hard numbers for pay raises for next March at all right now, Express is holding out for both results of peak to come in and to see if there is any movement among the wage employees to organize before they commit to a number it seems. </p><p></p><p>If there is indeed movement to get equipment in place at Ground terminals to handle Express cargo containers, they can be processing non-overnight volume within 4 to 6 months easily (coincides with the end of the FY...). </p><p></p><p>So at this point, it is most likely too late to organize to prevent Express from pulling off their plan (what I was afraid of all along and predicted Express would manage to pull off by keeping their corporate mouth shut). </p><p></p><p>If there are others who have access to other Ground terminals, they need to chime in on whether or not they see building remodeling being done and roller decking being installed. I said it two years ago and I'll repeat it, the installation of caster/roller decking is the KEY indicator that FedEx is about to switch the delivery of non-overnight volume over to Ground. </p><p></p><p>As it has been pointed out, the surge in temp drivers in Ground for the peak season will give the new ISP operators enough manpower to fill out additional permanent routes when the Express volume eventually moves over. I've already run the numbers on this forum as to what percentages that would entail (Ground could handle it easily with minor expansion - the boost in drivers from peak would be the PERFECT lead-in for a permanent expansion).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ricochet1a, post: 888793, member: 22880"] Given the seemingly "suddenness" of the information regarding the roller decking (something that I stated almost two years ago would be the key indicator that the "plan" was being moved on) - I made a couple of quick calls - one to someone VERY knowledgeable with regards to how fast it would take to certify a union and another who is still in Express (to get an opinion as to what actions Express is taking with the jump in health care premiums for 2012). For a company under the RLA (like Express) it would take a minimum of 4 months from the start of a HIGHLY organized union drive till enough signatures were collected to even consider getting a certification election done. Given that the IBT isn't going to go out on a limb at this stage for Express - the 4 month time span was the absolute shortest time it would take. Realistically, a year, given the glacial pace with which union rep cards have been coming in - and that is assuming a massive upsurge in people being willing to take the plunge - more or less. Unofficially, the IBT isn't looking to start an organizing drive in Express anytime soon. So unless Express really does something stupid in the next couple of months and shoots off their "corporate foot" - no real fear of unionization from Express' standpoint. Given all the talk and activity, it is looking like Express is going to make a tenative effort to start the conversion sometime early next year, possibly spring. There is no way a union could be certified in that time period, especially given that there has been practically no motion in that direction as of yet. As far as the jump in premiums in health coverage - it seeems Express is concerned, but not worried. They put out a video "explaining" all of the changes (using the term "contributions" instead of "premiums") to describe how employees' out-of-pocket expenses were going to go up rather significantly, especially for those who are married without children (describes many part-timers in Express). I believe that Express isn't too worried about the wage employees (excepting the mechanics), in regards to health care costs increasing. I wasn't able to get a firm number with regard to what the mechanics will be receiveing in terms of a pay raise in the coming year. It does appear that there are no hard numbers for pay raises for next March at all right now, Express is holding out for both results of peak to come in and to see if there is any movement among the wage employees to organize before they commit to a number it seems. If there is indeed movement to get equipment in place at Ground terminals to handle Express cargo containers, they can be processing non-overnight volume within 4 to 6 months easily (coincides with the end of the FY...). So at this point, it is most likely too late to organize to prevent Express from pulling off their plan (what I was afraid of all along and predicted Express would manage to pull off by keeping their corporate mouth shut). If there are others who have access to other Ground terminals, they need to chime in on whether or not they see building remodeling being done and roller decking being installed. I said it two years ago and I'll repeat it, the installation of caster/roller decking is the KEY indicator that FedEx is about to switch the delivery of non-overnight volume over to Ground. As it has been pointed out, the surge in temp drivers in Ground for the peak season will give the new ISP operators enough manpower to fill out additional permanent routes when the Express volume eventually moves over. I've already run the numbers on this forum as to what percentages that would entail (Ground could handle it easily with minor expansion - the boost in drivers from peak would be the PERFECT lead-in for a permanent expansion). [/QUOTE]
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