August 7, 2007

Less then two weeks remain for our Auto Truck lowboy division before it closes its doors. In the meantime, Auto Truck is trying to walk away with more then $4,000 of my wages and representation from the IAM has been rather “politically” weak!

Politically weak meaning, the local wants to help and have seen all the BS and multiple grievances coming from our terminal, yet are too afraid to do anything about it, in fear of upsetting the Internationals’ 1,800 member contractual relationship with ATT.

Below is only the short version of what I personally had to put up with. As a truck driver it is almost impossible to catch everything on paper due to being away for weeks at a time. Therefore, below are only a few to set the kind of environment of which we have had to work in.

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History of Withholding Wages?

• Three Months for Out of Pocket Expenses

• Seven Months for Breakdown/Delay Pay

• Five Months for Breakdown Pay (Current)

• Shorting of Wages and/or Miles

History of Harrassment when Reimbursements were Pushed?

• Forced on a 6 truck 5 stop load to the Northeast during the holidays.

• Told to unhook my “loaded” trailer and give it to an owner operator.

• New guys get the new trucks while the old guys get the old trucks.

• Harassing phone calls; One, Two, etc …

Fair Representation under the IAM?

• Harassment Greivance(s) – Unresolved

• Mileage Grievance(s) – Unresolved*

• Current Grievance – Unresolved

*My version due to the union refusing to provide me a written response.

Why it Does NOT Pay to Become an IAM Shop Steward?

• $5,500 in hospital bills

• Harrasment/Intimidation

• $4,560 in lost wages

• An old beat up truck

• No Union Representation

• Insufficient Funds

• And a home going into Foreclosure … [GONE]