Changes

We had a big meeting at work yesterday, all drivers required to change.

The ostensible reason for the meeting was training on the new tracking/communication system they're installing in all the trucks, to replace the electronic logging system they currently have, and which was "state of the art 1985 technology." We haven't had to keep a paper log, and we won't with this system, either, after the first couple of weeks. It has a lot of good things about it, but as you know, it takes about 6 weeks for any new computer program to become "transparent."

However, they also rolled out a new pay system. They're calling it "activity-based pay," which is a euphemism for "mileage pay." We HAVE been getting paid by the hour, from the time we walk into dispatch to the time we finish up and walk out. Some guys, like me, stick to work and get the job done. And some guys "ride the clock," making sure they get the maximum pay out of every trip.

In addition to that, instead of dispatch making up our loads for the week, we have to bid on our next week's work based on seniority. Yep, you guessed it, out of 26 drivers, I'm #22. My guess is they'll lose a few drivers over this. In addition, instead of the 4-day workweek we're currently running, it looks like it will be 5 days most of the time.

This is an experiment, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of changes shortly.

Geez, I guess they thought changing everything at once was the best idea! Good luck!

That's alot of changes!!
The pay change and the bidding don't sound very employee friendly though.

We'll have to wait and see. I'm a little puzzled how I can select my next week's loads if I leave Thursday morning and the new list isn't posted, and I have to call in at 8:40 p.m. to choose.

However, my guess is I won't have much choice, anyway.

Well, I hope you don't end up with all the cruddy/short/difficult runs then. I imagine they will lose drivers. In fact, Id keep your ear to the ground for a company that will treat you better, just in case if after a couple weeks things are still screwed up.

They claim we should all end up better than we were before. However, this was a good job, because although it didn't pay great, the overtime during the Christmas rush made up for it.

I'm afraid I'm going to lose my free Mondays, when I do my shelter volunteer work.

Sheesh, I'm sorry, Mike. That doesn't sound good at all. Do you think you might find a better arrangement at another company, or is this the way it's going to go everywhere now?

I'll have to see how it goes. It may be great, you just can't tell at this time.