Just to kick around a few ideas for any open minded people.
Upstate has mentioned quite a few times a two tier driver rate.
I agree but with a little more detail.
Major disagreement today is the forced overtime issue.
Much of this is related to cost initiatives and staying competitive to fx ground.
Solution that both Company and Union should be able to live and grow by :
1. Strong limit on Ot over nine hours (most drivers would love a little ot)
2. A Second driver rate for Residential deliveries --in the area of 12-to 15$ per hour.
3. Develop real combination jobs with half day -Unload commercial drivers p/u -gas vehicle -load resi"s
deliver resi's---take one hour lunch --work four to five hours midnight hub.
Allows union to extremely limit overtime and create decent paying full time jobs with seniority list to progress to regular driver as positions open.
Allows the company to remain competitive with Fedx ground, re-price and take new business, help to create less turnover with Staffing of Mid night hubs.
The additional miles and gas would be offset by driver rate,delivering residential when people are home(less handling and cost of send agains)and by gaining business away from non-union fed x.
The union wins and the company wins---growth and security for both.
I am sure contract language could easily be developed that both Union and Company could agree.
Sometimes it takes a little out of the box thinking to solve problems for both the Union and the Company that will keep the employees secure and a little more satisfied.
What say you ??