Teamster Union

Should agree with joining a Union. Despite the $39/month loss in dues, will have more to gain in the long run. If you are working an average of 20hours/week, an extra 49 cents to your wage will even out the loss paid out to dues, and therefore, maybe you can get $14.49/hour? Or maybe you can be compensated with benefits, or a voice? I know from experience that I had gained more from paying union dues than not paying and being taken advantage on from my employer.

Now some jobs, if you don't pay your union dues and the job pays union wages, it's not fair for you co-workers. In general, the middle class citizens are losing their better wages at the same time, there are less union jobs. In other words, today there are more jobs that pay $10/hour than $20/hour as a result. Also, another reason, there is a surplus of people out of work and willing to work for less and jobs are being outsourced in different countries. But that is a little off the subject.

Georgia, I had been a Teamster for 19 plus years in Ohio. That ended 5 years ago when the company went bankrupt. A 45 thousand dollar a year job ended and the union didn't know us anymore, we no longer paid them $49 a month. This area of the country is now WalMart and Sheetz country. Jobs pay $10 an hour take it or leave it. Unions are corporations and like any business they go where the money is. If you are satisfied, treated fairly, enjoy your work...why would you want to pay someone [union] to come in and be another layer of management?

Jim in Akron, Ohio said: Georgia, I had been a Teamster for 19 plus years in Ohio. That ended 5 years ago when the company went bankrupt. A 45 thousand dollar a year job ended and the union didn't know us anymore, we no longer paid them $49 a month. This area of the country is now WalMart and Sheetz country. Jobs pay $10 an hour take it or leave it. Unions are corporations and like any business they go where the money is. If you are satisfied, treated fairly, enjoy your work...why would you want to pay someone [union] to come in and be another layer of management?

I got a reason, to earn more money! Think about it, most union jobs pay more than their counterparts.

I am a City Bus Operator, also a member with the Teamsters Union. We pay $54 a month. I have been a member going on 10 yrs and plan to retire with this job/union too. We have some of the most best pay and bene's that we could have in this state. Yes, there are pro's and con's to every union. But, being in a political state like mine.... you have to go with jobs that have unions. A strong one at that. If you are unhappy with your union leader's .... vote them out!!! You all have the power to do so. Or, come to Hawaii.... we always have jobs. Also, have you thought about driving Transitt in Hawaii? Top pay at this moment is $22.50. Full paid medical for you and your family, a pension, and other good stuff. It only gets better as the contracts keeps comming. Aloha!

I drive school bus im in union when I filled out my application I stated I have had ged classes. I never said I have diploma or ged classes. I was hired. Now Im in union if they find out will I get fired from driving bus

Georgina Bussey in Willingboro, New Jersey said: My bus drivers want a union formed in our
area. I disagree with the union because it is only a 20 hour with a little 5 to no more than 10 hours over not every week.
I am at $14.00 a hour and with the union the projectly are going to take out $39 a month which I feel is to much for a parttime job and less than 66 drivers at this location. Please advise........

If you are interested in joining the Teamsters give me a call at 848-992-1532. My name is Jill Tice and I would me more than happy to help.

I am reponding with my comment about 4 months ago, and I feel the same way about getting a union started on our site as a bus drivers. I check with other companies that don't have unions and it works out find by getting a voice of the employees and presenting it to the managerment, etc and settling it by the "that" level w/o taking money out for dues. We as drivers work hard everyday physically, up rain,snow etc and as long as you come to work and work at your occupational skills, why take out monies, out of your paycheck when taxes are alreay high, and raises or not across the board for all bus drivers in the state (NJ), where I work with different bus drivers when short handed of drivers, they come work for us with better wages with a union or w/o a union.
What is fair, but take more money... money when the harder I work, the more they take. I have been unionized with a big Union for 23 years and I am familiar with unions. On a average paying dues, maybe 5% or less of your working time
at the job will you utilize your union benefits, but you , still have $$$$coming out. And by the way the more money you make the more they take. We have enough drama getting up every day going to a job with less of my pay grossly and now comes more money for union dues coming out part-time......
employment. I know I can find another job, so can those to choose to have union dues come out where they can get jobs also, with benefited Bus Companies like the school board with (benefits) on Indeed.com....I been offered jobs with benefits with other bus companies where I can make a change. So think about your money first on feeding your family before taking out union dues. I have got responses "go find another job", so can YOU....LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP......By the way I am going to go online to put in for unemployment for the week of 21-30 Mar 08 because I don't get payed for Spring Break....The thought, is the Union going to try getting us paid holidays. Some Union sites don't

we are a stand along union what can we do with this money that's in the bank

Michelle in Kapolei, Hawaii said: I am a City Bus Operator, also a member with the Teamsters Union. We pay $54 a month. I have been a member going on 10 yrs and plan to retire with this job/union too. We have some of the most best pay and bene's that we could have in this state. Yes, there are pro's and con's to every union. But, being in a political state like mine.... you have to go with jobs that have unions. A strong one at that. If you are unhappy with your union leader's .... vote them out!!! You all have the power to do so. Or, come to Hawaii.... we always have jobs. Also, have you thought about driving Transitt in Hawaii? Top pay at this moment is $22.50. Full paid medical for you and your family, a pension, and other good stuff. It only gets better as the contracts keeps comming. Aloha!

Michelle, Thanks for your post. My daughter is settling in Hawaii and is asking me to join her. I need three more years on Teamsters to pick up a pension. If the local is repciprocal. I have years of bus and tractor trailer experience. Wow, that would be neat to work in Hawaii.

Michelle in Kapolei, Hawaii said: I am a City Bus Operator, also a member with the Teamsters Union. We pay $54 a month. I have been a member going on 10 yrs and plan to retire with this job/union too. We have some of the most best pay and bene's that we could have in this state. Yes, there are pro's and con's to every union. But, being in a political state like mine.... you have to go with jobs that have unions. A strong one at that. If you are unhappy with your union leader's .... vote them out!!! You all have the power to do so. Or, come to Hawaii.... we always have jobs. Also, have you thought about driving Transitt in Hawaii? Top pay at this moment is $22.50. Full paid medical for you and your family, a pension, and other good stuff. It only gets better as the contracts keeps comming. Aloha!

Michelle, Would you mind forwarding any contact information for Teamster Bus Drivers. My daugher lives in Honolulu. YO YO

You and me both Terry. I hope we can obtain a response from Michelle. Who is probably off duty, hanging on a sunny beach somewhere. Although we can always find a main road and just stare at traffic.
I think as a comparison, I prefer the beach.

As far as I know...union dues represent money - that you pay - for a service. Problem is that most people don't get ANY service from the union they employ until there is a crisis. That crisis is "usually" a situation that management creates; that they need a scapegoat for. So they have someone else to blame for something they are not willing to give YOU...unless they absolutely have to! Now, what does a union do? Nothing more than provide a buffer between management and YOU. You can do this yourselves, you'll get better results, and get rid of that lazy "absentee" between you and management. This creates a better, clearer communication between YOU and management; it also keeps your management from using "prepaid whipping boys" to do their dirty deed(s) to you. They have to approach you directly, so they have to come with a game plan. It's better to have your management approach you this way, instead of putting someone who is there for the money, and will say and do what "management" tells him in order to keep his/her contract there. It saves YOU money, provides a direct voice to your boss, and forces you to work together and communicate on pay raises, routes, paperwork, emergencies, training...all the issues that improve your workplace. IF you don't get results from your union representative - they are NOT working on your behalf. You see how ineffective they are by their lack of presence; whenever something comes up they're unprepared; they use "bullying" tactics instead of real solutions; and will blame every problem on every other reason EXCEPT the failure of management to properly manage things like promotions, raises, incentive programs, safety issues, qualification and training issues... When YOU are responsible to do something for yourself that you pay THEM to do, you might as well throw your money down a bottomless pit. Is that what you want - I don't? When there is a problem - work it out yourselves - it's cheaper, and you'll get better results!

Ooops!! Just so you know, I posted on Miss Bussey's computer. She is not the author of the previous comments. If you have an opposing opinion on my post, please feel free to respond at glynnpetti@yahoo.com. Sorry for the confusion.

Jack said: You and me both Terry. I hope we can obtain a response from Michelle. Who is probably off duty, hanging on a sunny beach somewhere. Although we can always find a main road and just stare at traffic.
I think as a comparison, I prefer the beach.

Hi Jack Are you wanting to relocate to Hawawii. what part?

Terry Harris said: Hi Jack Are you wanting to relocate to Hawawii. what part?

MY daughter has settled in Honolulu. She is asking me to try living there for a while. I just took an early retirement as a CDL examiner supervisor and I've had bags of experience including Trailways/Greyhound etc. Would be a nice change.

Thanks for all the response. Sorry I took so long. I was down at the beach..lol.
Anyway, for those of you that are interested and moving to Hawaii, there is a site that you all can look up and apply. "Thebus.org ". They take applications online. Make sure you have the proper paper work that goes with it,..License, Crim. and Driving abstract, resume etc..
We..Oahu Transitt, are taking in class's one after the other. We have operator's comming from all over the U.S. to work here. The company is averaging 6 class's a year, being it's 3 months of trainning for the system. It's a job and it pay's the bills and morgage. Being that you folks have driven before you should have no problem getting the job. Theres alot of changes happenning with the system such as putting out more bus's and routes and also the possibility of a rail transit system. So come on over and join the family. We are a union also. The local Teamster 996. So, if you already belong to the teamster's, all you got to do is notify the office and you will still be in the system and should retire within your proper years. So good luck to all and hope to see you soon. If you should have anymore questions please feel free to email me @ rose96797@yahoo.com

Georgina Bussey in Willingboro, New Jersey said: My bus drivers want a union formed in our
area. I disagree with the union because it is only a 20 hour with a little 5 to no more than 10 hours over not every week.
I am at $14.00 a hour and with the union the projectly are going to take out $39 a month which I feel is to much for a parttime job and less than 66 drivers at this location. Please advise........

I agree with you bussey...especially with the economy and the way this world is trying to hang onto a buck....how have you been?

Michelle in Kapolei, Hawaii said: I am a City Bus Operator, also a member with the Teamsters Union. We pay $54 a month. I have been a member going on 10 yrs and plan to retire with this job/union too. We have some of the most best pay and bene's that we could have in this state. Yes, there are pro's and con's to every union. But, being in a political state like mine.... you have to go with jobs that have unions. A strong one at that. If you are unhappy with your union leader's .... vote them out!!! You all have the power to do so. Or, come to Hawaii.... we always have jobs. Also, have you thought about driving Transitt in Hawaii? Top pay at this moment is $22.50. Full paid medical for you and your family, a pension, and other good stuff. It only gets better as the contracts keeps comming. Aloha!

How much experience did you need to get started? I have my liscence, but I only drove for a week. I didn't care for the company. I'm thinking about moving to hawaii

Can anyone tell me how much money bus driver can take for one year

You have been taking union dues out of some but not all bus drivers checks for the past 3 years. There is no more meetings called for the support of drivers. There has been nothing done to protect drivers. Some drivers have succeeded at getting you to stop debting their payroll checks but some cannot. The majority who are still paying these dues cannot get an answer when calling your office nor can we get a return call. What is the problem. The person who initiated the union and was trying was removed from his position and we have heard nothing since; but you are still removing the dues. Maybe we need to expose you to the media and everyone else. Unions for school bus drivers is a rip off. Remove your dues from the paychecks of Charlotte Mecklenburg School Bus drivers. We are being cut in hours (avgerage 6 per day), abused by words from superiors, no rights, children cannot ride with parents even when going to the same school, therefore having to find a babysitter until their bus arrives, given three days off without pay for a minor accident, being suspended because parent does not like you not wanting to conversate at stop because of child, and the list goes on and on. What are you here for? Give us our money back and stop the payroll deduction.

I keep hearing about the discrepancies on the bus drivers' jobs. This is stuff that goes beyond dealing with a Union Rep. For example, the County Prosecutor's Office stays busy doing nothing for you because you won't talk to the law. They are the enforcement element, through EEO (that you pay taxes for). Their decisions go beyond the scope of what your boss, your job, or your union limits you to. You should try first to resolve whatever grievance you have through your work channels. But when they don't work, have a history of not listening or not enforcing your rights as an employee - you have EVERY right to step outside of your job to the regulatory authorities. Bus drivers deal in city contracts, government contracts, private entities, and general business. It is important for them to get this business from government entities. When they get this business, there are standards that they have to comply with that go beyond what they might want to share with the average employee. They just stick an EEO flyer, a safety poster or two up on the wall...and it appears that they have complied. You have rights as both DRIVERS (DMV has statutory compliances that have to be met), and as EMPLOYEES too (the State of New Jersey and the Federal Government have compliance rules, that HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED). When all else fails, and sometimes instead of putting up with what management is trying to unlawfully enforce, stand up for yourself and submit a formal complaint to these regulatory entities, commissions, and departments. This will get management's attention, and definitely the Union's attention. You have more power than you realize, all it takes is a little more education than the billboard at work will give you.

I was a Teamsters member at a previous route job. When the chips were down, the union rep was more concerned with their relationship with the company management. Didn't mind take taking my dues every month as "our representative" to that point.
It's a scam.

It's a crying shame that people who complain about their Union Representatives in an online forum, can't get enough concensus to get their fellow union members to a meeting. You need to work your problems with "whom" it is that represents you. If you present yourself as a strong, unified group, usually you can vote in or vote out your union rep. After all, as you acknowledge, the union is receiving YOUR money, for representing YOU. If you let them run amock with your hard-earned funds...the first person to blame is YOU! There are a number of venues to take to "out" your union reps when they are not doing the job for you. YOU need to get active and learn who is who in the heirarchy of the union that represents you -- EVERYBODY HAS A BOSS!

Our local Union was able to get the drivers a $2-$3 pay raise... BUT they got that money by lowering the wages of thier attendants. What a waste of Union power. I think the Union just wanted to get thier dues from as many employees as possible regardless of who lost what. And has anyone ever heard of a Union who negotiates lowering of ones pay? The Union allowed our employer to state one wage but pay another. (OOPS forgot to mention contract not ratified until months after hiring)NO ONE told employees the Company was in negotations with the Union and the wage scale was subject to change before contract ratified. I feel that the Union and Company used "bait and switch" tactic to get employees to work for Company. Even after "finding" out about this tactic the Company continued to mislead their prospective employees of wages. I am definetly trying to get the Union thrown out, these people did nothing but help one group of employees by hurting another. Makes me wonder if this is not a common thing with the great Teamsters?

Incompetent leadership always tends to make uninformed, incomplete, and incompetently conclusions that affect their viability. In the case of the New Jersey bus company I've previously discussed, the Union Rep was "appointed" by the company, paid from the company's payroll, and supposedly "administering" to the needs of Union Workers without the training or expertise necessary to fulfill the full scope of the job. He simply doesn't know what he's doing, and takes his lead from the employer without the capability to provide clear, lucid decisions for its workers. It's a "can't win" scenario that works for the employer...but against the worker. His salary is entirely too high for the unprofessional representation he delivers - especially for the high union dues charged. There is recourse, but no one wants to hear this broken record; but~~you CAN seek remedy against this Representative directly through your Union - and often the legal fees are waived. Check out your Union Contract, and you may find that you have more power than you realize.

i just became a school bus driver as I had to do something, and it seems that the high turnover is the result of the low pay. I will not be able to feed my family after my unemployment stops subsidizing my work as a school bus driver. I drive 90+ kids twice a day and that works out to be 25 cents per child per run....SOMEBODY IS MAKING OUT ON THIS DEAL...NOT US DRIVERS! :(

You may notice that this is becoming a more constant trend in that business and others as businesses try to also "downsize" our wages, so they can afford to operate and keep their healthy profits. Case in point: Pemberton Police Department is so chincy, that they are advertising their court records reporter vacancy at $15.50 per hour - but only 6 hours per week...AND they want whoever responds to come in for one hour a day, six days a week. Yes, you heard me right, they want to divide the hours up as 1 hour per day.

On the initial issue, the bus companies are struggling because they have become used to a high level of profit, and a low level of overhead. The difference in wages of drivers, route choices, issues of seniority, the poor leadership of unions (who are for the most part, just "pawns" and "yes men" for the lot bosses), leaves a LOT to be desired. It is unbelievable how poorly they pay EVERYBODY at these lots. How people have been able to work at these places for a career is beyond me. It's crazy...something should have been done a long time ago to REALLY set up viable union representation for these parasitic companies. It's not like the money is not there for the schools to purchase their own buses and drivers. For the prices they are paying, they might find that a much better set of options is more affordable - AND - will pay the drivers a responsible salary to do the important work they do.

If the schools are run by the city and if they decided to buy buses and hire drivers then we should get the same benifits as teachers ie: sick leave, paid holidays.
Now about the Teamsters Union they sure did a poor job when they negociated the contract, seams like they dont even understand what they wrote. So many issues are neglected and lord don't try and look for a steward cause none are found in our lot. There are no postings of meetings or notes of previous meeting, no posting by the Union as to who is even stewards (who just happen to be the ones making all the money by the way). Our contract was written to serve a few and not all, the contract is a joke and so many are trying to get out of the Union, hopefully they will not vote to keep the Union in our lot with Durham.
Oh and if anyone sees a Union Rep ask him to come visit us please???

rex in Prescott, Arizona said: Should agree with joining a Union. Despite the $39/month loss in dues, will have more to gain in the long run. If you are working an average of 20hours/week, an extra 49 cents to your wage will even out the loss paid out to dues, and therefore, maybe you can get $14.49/hour? Or maybe you can be compensated with benefits, or a voice? I know from experience that I had gained more from paying union dues than not paying and being taken advantage on from my employer.

Now some jobs, if you don't pay your union dues and the job pays union wages, it's not fair for you co-workers. In general, the middle class citizens are losing their better wages at the same time, there are less union jobs. In other words, today there are more jobs that pay $10/hour than $20/hour as a result. Also, another reason, there is a surplus of people out of work and willing to work for less and jobs are being outsourced in different countries. But that is a little off the subject.

Forget about forming a union. Talk to your employer about taking on non driving jobs required by the company. A union just takes money. A Union is only good when there is an enormus surplus of money with at least 100 drivers. Also you need to start with a group of employees willing to perticipate in union affairs. Having trustworthy members over time becomes an issue as well. The only way it works is if everyone is completetly on board and are willing to put away for a strike fund and lawyer fund as well. Other wise what happens is the Union board gets bullied by managmnet because they have no strike power, sects of special intrest get formed wirhin the union because some people have the money to gamble on negotiation settlements and other simple cant afford to miss work. you really dont get protection because the company negotiates rediculas infactions in the union contract. So basicly if they want they find a way to fire you in the contract.

I think that at the cost of the union, and the minimal ROI of the cost of those fees, that the client worker would do better investing those same dollars in an investment, insurance instrument, or benefit program. Just because a job is available, and being stuck paying union dues to a union that does nothing but ensure you keep the job that you are qualified to have in the first place - is NOT a benefit to you. Your money can be far more wisely invested than in a union that doesn't even give you adequate compensation for the hours driven AND the hours made to be on "standby", and on their "whim" of a schedule -- in order to have SOME work. Union dues? It just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm looking for work. I'd enjoy being a Union Representative. I have the kind of skills that would make you proud to be in a union under my management. But they wouldn't hire a straight up, "go get 'em", "no B.S." kind of guy like me...why? Because I KNOW what the job requires of ME, so the employee can get what they deserve. For some reason, the tone I keep getting is that there is not even a TRUE Standard. Just a bunch of rules that apply to everybody in a way that NOBODY...gets NOTHING (except a choice few, of course). Is this true? I think so. A union representative should be someone who has unique insight on the formation of rules and regulations; they should know about transportation requirements - both minimums and maximun service provisions; and should be able to continually provide EXCELLENT decisions that support either AND BOTH management and employees. They should be building bridges to making things work between management and employees - not doing the least for any one entity, and denying the lot the services due through his/her expertise. I think that point of view is lost on many of these Union Reps - many of whom get their position by "favor" or punishment, in some cases. Why would anyone want to hire someone who is KNOWN for their ineffectiveness by all whom they serve...and then be paid the highest salaries on the lot? It doesn't make sense. And when it doesn't...stop doing it!