FedEx

[BDashe 0]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123791678454427343.html

Yet another point for congress and Unions working together to kill our economic process.

"FedEx Corp. says it might hold off buying 30 new cargo planes if Congress passes a law that would make it easier to unionize the company."

7.7 billion potentially taken out of circulation...

So there I was...

Making friends and playing nice since 1983

[Rookie120 0]

So FED-EX is trying to blackmail congress by saying if you pass this bill we wont buy these planes and thats the Unions and it's workers fault? If the people at FE want to organize a union that there business.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[chuckakers 425]

Quote

So FED-EX is trying to blackmail congress by saying if you pass this bill we wont buy these planes and thats the Unions and it's workers fault? If the people at FE want to organize a union that there business.

They aren't blackmailing anyone. They are making a financial decision. They know their labor costs will dramatically increase if the law go the way the dems want, so they are putting off buying the planes until they see what's going to happen.

Chuck Akers
D-10855
Houston, TX

[DougH 270]

No, FedEx is saying that this bill would break their business model, so why should they bother buying more capital investments.

If the workers don't like the working conditions at FedEx they should quit and find employment else where.

The pay and conditions at FedEx must be acceptable to a majority of the individuals on the jobmarket. Why should the workers have the ability to force a company to pay more than what the market is demanding?

This isn't for protecting workers, it is for extorting money from companies.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

No, FedEx is saying that this bill would break their business model, so why should they bother buying more capital investments.

FedEx Ground has all of their drivers working for them as independent contractors. Thus, the company pays no benefits to them. A private businessman can purchase a truck and a zip code from FedEx, and he's in business for them. It's up to him to provide his own medical insurance, etc. Some men own the rights to multiple zip codes, multiple trucks, and make a million bucks a year as a private contractor. So if all those independent contractors were made into employees with benefits, then yes, that would drive up company costs significantly.

FedEx Air already uses the traditional model, where all drivers are employees with benefits.

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Quote

No, FedEx is saying that this bill would break their business model, so why should they bother buying more capital investments.

FedEx Ground has all of their drivers working for them as independent contractors. Thus, the company pays no benefits to them. A private businessman can purchase a truck and a zip code from FedEx, and he's in business for them. It's up to him to provide his own medical insurance, etc. Some men own the rights to multiple zip codes, multiple trucks, and make a million bucks a year as a private contractor. So if all those independent contractors were made into employees with benefits, then yes, that would drive up company costs significantly.

FedEx Air already uses the traditional model, where all drivers are employees with benefits.

I thought FedEx Ground was the former RPS....those aren't FedEx employees now??

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[FallingOsh 0]

Poor plan on their part. Rather than show some financial responsibility, they should continue with the purchase. If the union law passes then their costs will significantly increase and could push them into pre-bankruptcy. At that point, the government will step in and pick up the tab.

--------------------------------------------------
Stay positive and love your life.

[Halfpastniner 0]

As a fed ex (freight) employee, I am going to be pissed if I have to start paying union dues!

BASE 1384

[Gawain 0]

Quote

As a fed ex (freight) employee, I am going to be pissed if I have to start paying union dues!

So, are you saying that FedEx is a pretty good company to work for? They don't press you into slavery and treat you badly?

Come on...all card check would do is make you give up a secret ballot...that can't be all that important can it?




** my questions were genuine, my statement is certainly tongue in cheek **

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Rookie120 0]

Quote

As a fed ex (freight) employee, I am going to be pissed if I have to start paying union dues!

Thats great! Just vote no for the union. Don't fall into the pressure of the union goons trying to get you to vote yes.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[Halfpastniner 0]

Quote

Quote

As a fed ex (freight) employee, I am going to be pissed if I have to start paying union dues!

So, are you saying that FedEx is a pretty good company to work for? They don't press you into slavery and treat you badly?

Come on...all card check would do is make you give up a secret ballot...that can't be all that important can it?




** my questions were genuine, my statement is certainly tongue in cheek **

Haha yes it is a great company to work for. From what i can tell, the plan is to treat everyone good, so nobody wants a union. That is why it is such a successful company.

Even recently when they had to cut management pay, they were just happy to still have work.

BASE 1384

[Rookie120 0]

Quote

Haha yes it is a great company to work for.

We had a few guys jump shit from here to go work for FE. They seem happy over there. One tried to get me to go over there with him but I am happy where I am at now. They treat the boys good from what I hear.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[riddler 0]

Quote

I thought FedEx Ground was the former RPS....those aren't FedEx employees now??

FedEx was originally an Express-only company called FDX, doing air business for a premium. But they wanted Ground service to compete with UPS. So they purchased several companies to fill out their market offering. RPS merged with FDX, and became FedEx Ground, Robert's Express became FedEx Custom Critical (super-fast, for things like heart transplants), and Viking Freight became FedEx Freight. At the time, acquisitions were all the rage, and FedEx looked good with all the new offerings.

As far as FedEx Ground drivers making a million dollars a year, I doubt it. The very good few can make a six-figure income, but most of them are busy paying off their trucks, uniforms, etc.

FedEx has contributed significantly to policitians, both Dem and Rep. Which makes the likelyhood of this bill passing very small. However, they lean toward the political right, and so it's not unexpected that a democratic-controlled congress might allow a bill like this to get to the floor before they realize all the money they've taken from FedEx, and kill it on the spot.

It's political posturing from both FedEx and a few democrats in Congress. My bet is that the bill will not become law, and FedEx won't buy the jets anyway, because they can't afford them (due to the current economy).

Oh yeah, and the Teamsters have been gunning for FedEx for years, but the FedEx employees usually tell them to shove it.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[hwt 0]

My brother is a pilot/examiner for fed ex and i can tell you that they are treated like union workers only they don't have to pay the mob dues.

[Darius11 12]

I am surprised to hear all the positive replays about FedEx. A friend of mine who is a FedEx driver says the job is hell, and there is no security because they have no unions. You could be working there for years and one day your told to leave simply because they can get someone new at lower pay. He also says they get pushed to work shifts they don’ts want, have little or no say in any thing, and all of this gets done with the constant idea that if you don’t do what they want your out.
There is zero security according to him.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[lawrocket 3]

Your description of this employee sounds like every business owner I know. We work 14 hours per day and think about it every other hour. We worry about whether we need to hire someone else or fire someone. We have to generate the business and manage the employees and hopefully have enough left over to pay ourselves after making payroll, lease, and all other overhead.

All with the knowledge that two bad months can put you out of business, and you need to make the right decision every time or your business will fail.

Of course, your employees will bitch about it over dinner with their family while you are at the office without yours.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[shropshire 0]

Quote

You could be working there for years and one day your told to leave simply because they can get someone new at lower pay.

A company could NOT do that in the U.K - union or no union, just basic employment law.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

I thought FedEx Ground was the former RPS....those aren't FedEx employees now??

I don't know who RPS is, and I don't know the answer.

FedEx is a conglomeration of a lot of separate business entities. You'll notice that the "Ex" in the FedEx logo comes in different colors. For FedEx ground, it's green. For FedEx air, it's red. Then there's FedEx Kinko's, and so on. Each of those is really run on it's own.

And it seems a bit redundant and wasteful sometimes too. FedEx ground and FedEx air have completely separate facilities, with their own conveyor belt sorting systems, all doing the same thing. And the truck drivers for each, are often visiting the same locations. It would seem that a merger would lead to some economies, by eliminating duplication, but what the heck do I know. I just drove for them for a little while.

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

As far as FedEx Ground drivers making a million dollars a year, I doubt it. The very good few can make a six-figure income, but most of them are busy paying off their trucks, uniforms, etc.

Not quite what I said. Let me elaborate.

The basic delivery business is a person that purchases the rights to all the packages for a zip code, and a truck. Then it's up to him to make those deliveries according to FedEx standards for timeliness, etc. You can make a good living doing that, but it's not easy work. The truck maintenance is your responsibility.

Now, someone who is really enterprising, can bid to purchase additional zip codes as they come on the "market", trucks to service those zips, and men to drive the trucks. So at that point, you become your own businessman, with your own employees, and a fleet of trucks. Those are the kind of people who can make up to a million bucks a year in the delivery business.

[wmw999 2,447]

Sounds like real life combined with bad management. Real life dictates that some shifts are more attractive than others, and if no one wants to work the bad shift it has to be worked anyway. Ask him how many drivers have actually been fired simply because someone cheaper was found. I'll bet either not many, or at least not productive ones.

Security is making sure that you're valuable to the business, and saving your money so that if the business has a downtime and doesn't keep everyone, you can still take care of yourself.

But, from what I understand, Rhode Island is very heavily unionized; if your friend mostly hangs around with union guys, he might well be suffering either from grass-is-greener syndrome, or he might also have a bad manager, who uses his power as a club. That's also unfortunate.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Darius11 12]

Quote

Your description of this employee sounds like every business owner I know. We work 14 hours per day and think about it every other hour. We worry about whether we need to hire someone else or fire someone. We have to generate the business and manage the employees and hopefully have enough left over to pay ourselves after making payroll, lease, and all other overhead.

That might be you and me as small business owners, however the CEO making 64K a day sorry if I am not too worried about him.

I can live the rest of my life happily off of one month of his pay, and so can most other people I know.


When does greed become an issue if EVER? Or are we all Gordon Gecko wannabes and think “Greed is good”

Is the business world not a better place if the wealth is shared a bit more, and loyalty is rewarded?

We all can't be CEOs now can we.

Quote

All with the knowledge that two bad months can put you out of business, and you need to make the right decision every time or your business will fail.

Unfortunately in the current economy, it was not my decision or the decision of many other small business owners that is putting them or me out of business. The greed of Wall Street, lack of regulation, and wrong regulation is fucking us all.

Quote

Of course, your employees will bitch about it over dinner with their family while you are at the office without yours.

Again i belive you are getting small business owners and Big company CEOs mixed up.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Darius11 12]

According to him. This is hearsay obviously but two drivers were let go, and the managers are looking for small infractions to fire the most senior people. Things like being 5 min late to work for the first time in 5 years. They will let it go if it is a new guy making starting salary, but the old guy who is making more is let go.


I get the whole capitalistic argument. I agree with it for the most part, however I don’t believe a 100% commitment to any economic model is the answer.

Should we reward loyalty? Do you see a problem with the ever-expanding distance between a CEO and the workers?

I just think the little guy could use more protection then the guy with the golden tiolet.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Darius11 12]

Quote

Quote

You could be working there for years and one day your told to leave simply because they can get someone new at lower pay.

A company could NOT do that in the U.K - union or no union, just basic employment law.

It is that way in many countries. Even Iran fromwhat i can remember

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[wmw999 2,447]

Quote

Should we reward loyalty?

That's where the "bad management" piece comes in. A good manager will reward loyalty. The reward isn't always what the employee thinks it's worth, but a good manager really, really should reward it.

Quote

Do you see a problem with the ever-expanding distance between a CEO and the workers?

Yes. We're returning to a social model that is closer to the early 1900's. People no longer feel they are equal, and a huge number of people can't really realistically affort to aspire to what used to be called a middle-class lifestyle. That's partly due to the concentration of wealth, and partly due to a re-definition of what constitutes a middle class lifestyle.

50 years ago, a car and a television (one per household) were a sign that you were pretty well off. Now they're a basic for everyone. We have so much stuff, and it's so much bigger, that we have to pay for, store, and maintain that it's expensive to live that way.

So the enemy isn't just them, it's us, and our desire to have it all as well.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Darius11 12]

Quote

So the enemy isn't just them, it's us, and our desire to have it all as well.

Agreed,
The problem I think is most of us me included. When I think of my dream life the exceptions I have are ridiculous. I often go back and forth. I want it all, and then at times I think I will be happy with a lot less.

Maybe it is just humane nature, and that’s why there is no simple answer or method.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain