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80-RE4
Top Member
USA
5700 Posts |
 Posted - 06/02/2003 : 09:59:18 AM
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Friday afternoon, the supervisor came over the radio, asking certain driver's if they'd like to do a charter on Tues. There were about 7 of them hand chosen. That created a major rumble with a good deal of the other drivers.
Reasons being:
*that charter, like some other long charters, were not posted on the board for all to sign up for-
Alot of the driver's feel like certain people are being favored when it comes to charter work and think it is unfair.
Some of the driver's refer to these charters as "secret charters"
Some say the reason being was that they were picked because they didn't have a midday K route, but two of them do. Two of them have the least senority, but were chosen.
I think there should be a set guideline for charter work POSTED.
No matter what the charter rules are, what goes for one should go for all.
If they want the spare drivers to get first pick of the charters, they should post it. If midday K routes are a problem, they should post it.
I hate to say this, but i don't think this is being properly managed. I do not do charter work, so it doesn't affect me, but I also understand my co-workers point of views. It's not fair! I know at some terminals, the charter work does go to the spare drivers, and that's fine, but that should apply to EVERY Driver.
I love my Amtran RE ;-) |
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PHW
Top Member
USA
1345 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2003 : 4:00:16 PM
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I'm sure this scenario is plaid out throughout the school bus industry. What's important is timely communication between management and drivers. Drivers should not assume and complain but address each issue as they occur and get a answer. Management needs to continually inform drivers of factors that occur that effect assigning trips and show that they are working for the best of the drivers and the customers.
It takes a sincere effort by all involved.
PHW
Child Check For Life |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2003 : 6:46:30 PM
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Are your drivers unionized? This is the key issue in this situation.
The Thomas M2 Conventional- Coming to a bus yard near you in 2004! |
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ninefires
Active Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2003 : 7:45:52 PM
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| Sadly, seniority doesn't really mean anything without a union. |
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NewBee Driver
Senior Member
USA
191 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2003 : 9:27:23 PM
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| The day My shop becomes a union shop is the day I walk. All unions due is reward mediocrity and penalize those who bust their butts. |
Driving Seattle To School - And Loving It!! |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2003 : 07:11:14 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by NewBee Driver
The day My shop becomes a union shop is the day I walk. All unions due is reward mediocrity and penalize those who bust their butts.
Who's been shoving that crap down your throat? Yes some lazy employees are protected more by unions than if they were non-union, but many people that are non-union and "bust their butts" get nothing for it. |
If you have an International, you NEED customer service. |
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mr.dave
Advanced Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2003 : 08:37:56 AM
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Working in a non-union, or a union shop is like driving with or without seatbelts. When you get jambed up it is too late to fasten your seatbelt, or find a union shop.
shalom dave |
Shiny side up, greasy side down |
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John Farr
Top Member
USA
642 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2003 : 10:39:30 AM
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I'm really not trying to plug our driver handbook, but it has become a convenient way for me to refer to our particular procedures, right or wrong.
We are unionized and I have no problem with that because we do work together - not on an adversarial basis.
When we discuss the handbook, almost all dialogue is about the work assignment rules/procedures - because that equates to money in the driver's pocket. Read through that section and you'll see our solution to the problem you describe. Our drivers will tell you they feel they are treated fairly and extra work and field trips are distributed as fairly and consistently as possible.
The tough part may be getting your management to change their thinking so that, union or not, their decisions are consistent, no matter the personalities, and that their decisions benefit not only them, but all so that drivers can agree that the decision was a fair one for all. This could result in a major rethinking of your procedures!
I'd suggest getting a representative group of drivers together. Select those who can express themselves without becoming overly passionate. A calm and friendly demeanor goes a long way. Do not try to resolve all problems in one meeting. Nothing is worse or more overwhelming to management than a seemingly disgruntled group of employees offering a laundry list of seemingly insoluable problems. Prioritize your issues and pick one item and work together with management to resolve it. Once an agreeable solution is found, make sure the drivers appreciate management's willingness to work with you. Tempting as it may be, don't take all the credit, even though you "brought the horse to water." Try to memorialize the solution in a handbook or similar written form where all can easily refer. This makes future decisions by management consistent with the solution reached today. If the solution does not work, get together to revise it so it works all the time. Good Luck!
Go to the SBF home page and click "Resources." |
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AmTran 241
Advanced Member
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2003 : 5:58:17 PM
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| At the beginning of the year we all sign a contrace and there is a line that you check if you want to do charters and they then compile a list and they just go down the list over and over, and it has always worked for us. |
745 - 2005 IC RE |
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Charters
