FedEX: UPS Legislation Could Risk AK Jobs - KTVA

Tuesday, Federal senators introduced a bill reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration.

[Steve]

The most clean and simple truth is that FedEx's Purple Promise does not come with the same Purple benefit for all people. UPS Drivers all have benefits, all have the hope of retirement and all have an equal chance at moving up or moving to Full Time positions. THIS IS NOT HOW FEDEX FEELS THINGS SHOULD BE BUT RATHER THE EXPRESS DRIVERS GET THIS PROMISE BUT THE GROUND DRIVERS HAVE NO HOPE, AND THE AT HOME DRIVERS HAVE NO HOPE OF EVER HAVING A COMPANY PAID RETIREMENT UNDER THE CONTRACTOR MODEL. This legislation sets the course to fix this terrible mistake not to mention the waste with 3 different FedEx truck going down the same road at the same time where UPS uses just one truck to do all 3 jobs and quite well I might add.

[RakhiChowdhary]

I also agree that FedEX do not come with the same benefits for all.

[Mehran]

The person who wrote this article needs to take an English 101 course in writing. The article is so poorly written, I had to keep reading several sentences several times to figure out what he is trying to say. Shame on you the editors for allowing this piece to into print. I can't believe you start a sentence with "Right now".

[Rob]

Driving positions are uneducated positions. A kid straight from high school can do this job. Why should everyone have to pay more for these peoples retirement when they have never chosen to advance their career on their own? Same thing as some uneducated turd at GM making 80k a year with all the benefits to bolt bumpers on cars. It should be a $15 and hour job. If you want benefits and great pay GO TO SCHOOL!

[Bob]

It is always scare tactics with FedEx. If any of our drivers join a union, the world will end. This law says anyone driving a truck and delivering packages should be under the same law. It is simple and fair.

[joshinak]

Rob wrote:

Driving positions are uneducated positions. A kid straight from high school can do this job. Why should everyone have to pay more for these peoples retirement when they have never chosen to advance their career on their own? Same thing as some uneducated turd at GM making 80k a year with all the benefits to bolt bumpers on cars. It should be a $15 and hour job. If you want benefits and great pay GO TO SCHOOL!

I agree, these people act like the world owes them something. If they dont like FEDEX then get a job with UPS. Even better get off your lazy ass and get an education of some sort.

[What can brown do TO you]

Two different issues: The FedEx Ground contract employee issue vs. the RLA/NLRB difference. Read up on your own & be informed BEFORE posting comments!

Steve wrote:

The most clean and simple truth is that FedEx's Purple Promise does not come with the same Purple benefit for all people. UPS Drivers all have benefits, all have the hope of retirement and all have an equal chance at moving up or moving to Full Time positions. THIS IS NOT HOW FEDEX FEELS THINGS SHOULD BE BUT RATHER THE EXPRESS DRIVERS GET THIS PROMISE BUT THE GROUND DRIVERS HAVE NO HOPE, AND THE AT HOME DRIVERS HAVE NO HOPE OF EVER HAVING A COMPANY PAID RETIREMENT UNDER THE CONTRACTOR MODEL. This legislation sets the course to fix this terrible mistake not to mention the waste with 3 different FedEx truck going down the same road at the same time where UPS uses just one truck to do all 3 jobs and quite well I might add.

[Todd]

Steve wrote:

The most clean and simple truth is that FedEx's Purple Promise does not come with the same Purple benefit for all people. UPS Drivers all have benefits, all have the hope of retirement and all have an equal chance at moving up or moving to Full Time positions. THIS IS NOT HOW FEDEX FEELS THINGS SHOULD BE BUT RATHER THE EXPRESS DRIVERS GET THIS PROMISE BUT THE GROUND DRIVERS HAVE NO HOPE, AND THE AT HOME DRIVERS HAVE NO HOPE OF EVER HAVING A COMPANY PAID RETIREMENT UNDER THE CONTRACTOR MODEL. This legislation sets the course to fix this terrible mistake not to mention the waste with 3 different FedEx truck going down the same road at the same time where UPS uses just one truck to do all 3 jobs and quite well I might add.

Ground drivers are all subcontractors. UPS does NOT equal FedEx Ground.
If you don't like it...don't drive a FedEx Ground truck. There are plenty of other people that would like to have a job.

Also, FedEx treats all of their employees much better than UPS...because there is no union. Unions may have had their place 100 years ago when bosses were treating their workforce like slaves, as opposed to American citizens, but times have changed. Unions do a lot of damage to business, because unions only think of themselves, and not the CUSTOMER.

[flyphish]

Sounds to me like just another example of the Obama administration paying off a union.
Sure do love this "Change We Can Beleive In".

[Mike]

First, FedEx Express is the company that operates the Hub in Anchorage. FedEx Ground is a completely different operating company owned by FedEx. FedEx Ground is already governed by the same regulations as UPS as it should be.

Second, FedEx Express Couriers have in most cases better benefits than UPS drivers, because they are considered airline employees among other things. FedEx Drivers have a much greater chance at promotion than UPS drivers, guess why? Unions! The Union inhibits promotions and opportunities through rediculous rules in their contracts.

Finally, UPS's spokesperson said it all if you read between the lines "FedEx has an advantage over UPS because they are non-union." That advantage? Profitability and flexibility. Now why would we americans want to punish FedEx and reduce their opportunity to succeed. FedEx was founded in 1973, one of the worst recessions in history. Innovative, revolutionary, and one of the best places to work for over 30 years. Why would we change this now? Write our Senator and demand that FedEx remain unchanged!

[Bill]

None of you are obviously in the industry. A FedEx Express driver does NOT have the benefits or the wages a UPS driver has. UPS has always promoted substantially from within. Most supervisors and managers, up to the top of the company had been promoted from the front lines.

I'm not a union fan, but Fred Smith is so paranoid of the union, he will use his congressional connections and outright lies to keep the union out. If the employees are so thrilled with how they're treated at FedEx what does he have to worry about? Nothing, if the employees were really that happy. The truth is, more and more of them are getting tired of Fred breaking promise after promise.

Fact of the matter is, Fred used his congressional contacts to inject tag along language into a bill over ten years ago that guaranteed that his company would get treated specially from every other company.

Fact of the matter is, FedEx started as an express company and UPS as a ground parcel delivery company. Today, UPS and FedEx compete for the same customers, deliver the same services, with the same guaranteed times of day, utilizing the same hub and spoke system of airplanes, tractor trailers, and trucks. Times change folks, the laws should keep up with the times.

Fact of the matter is, a significant portion of FedEx Express packages never see the inside of an airplane as they use trucks for their one-day, two-day, and three-day services whenever possible.

Fact of the matter is, FedEx subcontracts its ground business. But they tell their subcontractors, what to do, what to wear, how to do the job, what their truck should look like, etc. All legal definitions of an employee. Is it any wonder that they are under siege from employees and state attorney generals from all over the country?

Fact of the matter is, FedEx is trying to deflect attention away the truths about the way it does business and throw mud at a company that has been around for more than 100 years, provides hundreds of thousands of family jobs, and still makes a profit for its shareowners. You cannot compare this company and it's union to the auto industry where greed on both sides of the table and bad management decisions literally destroyed an industry. Other than one strike action in over 100 years, this company and it's union has worked together to build a company that we can all be proud of.

Fact of the matter is, Fred always wants his way and he gets very upset when he doesn't get it (see temper tantrum that he throws, saying he won't buy any Boeing planes). The millions he has spent on a marketing plan that slimes his competitor, I'm sure employees would like to have back in their benefit plans. I hope customers will recognize arrogance and a lack of integrity with this man and take their business elsewhere.

[Dick Hertz]

Todd wrote:

<quoted text>
Ground drivers are all subcontractors. UPS does NOT equal FedEx Ground.
If you don't like it...don't drive a FedEx Ground truck. There are plenty of other people that would like to have a job.
Also, FedEx treats all of their employees much better than UPS...because there is no union. Unions may have had their place 100 years ago when bosses were treating their workforce like slaves, as opposed to American citizens, but times have changed. Unions do a lot of damage to business, because unions only think of themselves, and not the CUSTOMER.

Funny, that's not my experience. Union people I know do their jobs well and enjoy their work because they are taken care of, while people working for poor wages and no benefits are miserable, sick, resentful and not enjoying their jobs. Why is Walmart so dirty and chaotic while Target, Carrs, and Fred Meyers are clean, well maintained, and full of friendly employees asking if you found what you needed or if you need help? Why do burgers at McDs never look like the ones on tv (slapped together all funky) but the ones at the airport BK or Red Robin usually do?

[Todd]

Bill wrote:

Fact of the matter is, FedEx started as an express company and UPS as a ground parcel delivery company. Today, UPS and FedEx compete for the same customers, deliver the same services, with the same guaranteed times of day, utilizing the same hub and spoke system of airplanes, tractor trailers, and trucks. Times change folks, the laws should keep up with the times.

FedEx is an airline, and UPS is a trucking company. Just because they compete in the same marketplace does not change that fact. I agree that the laws should keep up with the times, though.

The other stuff you said were facts, I could not substantiate.

[Todd]

Dick Hertz wrote:

<quoted text>
Funny, that's not my experience. Union people I know do their jobs well and enjoy their work because they are taken care of, while people working for poor wages and no benefits are miserable, sick, resentful and not enjoying their jobs. Why is Walmart so dirty and chaotic while Target, Carrs, and Fred Meyers are clean, well maintained, and full of friendly employees asking if you found what you needed or if you need help? Why do burgers at McDs never look like the ones on tv (slapped together all funky) but the ones at the airport BK or Red Robin usually do?

We all have different experiences. I was in a union for years when I built trains, and all they did was take my money in the form of union dues. They never stuck up for me.

Walmart pays an average of $10 per hour, which is a far cry from minimum wage. I cannot speak as to why your Walmart is dirty...mine looks great, and the people there are more than helpful. The chaos is from the customers, in my experience.

My experience of airport food is poor, but I do not doubt yours. I would have to guess the major difference is that people that work at McDs and the like don't care as much as someone that made some decent money. Then again, it could simply be management. A good example is Chic-fil-a. Every one of their stores are the same...neat & clean, filled with truly nice staff, and the orders are always right. Their management standards are also much, much higher.

[Joey]

Todd wrote:

<quoted text>
FedEx is an airline, and UPS is a trucking company. Just because they compete in the same marketplace does not change that fact. I agree that the laws should keep up with the times, though.
The other stuff you said were facts, I could not substantiate.

UPS has an airline, it's called "UPS Airlines," and is full of airplanes, not flying 18-wheelers.

[Todd]

Joey wrote:

<quoted text>
UPS has an airline, it's called "UPS Airlines," and is full of airplanes, not flying 18-wheelers.

In the eyes of the law, and how the companies were originally set up, what I said still stands.

[Joey]

Todd wrote:

<quoted text>
In the eyes of the law, and how the companies were originally set up, what I said still stands.

So what you're saying is that the company is miscategorized? Because frankly, I can't remember ever seeing FedEx making a delivery from an airplane.

[Ross]

Wow, that's nice.
So... the guys that make the vehicles you drive and deliver packages to your house that you need or at least want, don't DESERVE to make a decent wage.
Hmmm...
They all MUST be uneducated - no chance they chose a profession they love or were good at.
And by God, if they don't wear a suit and tie - screw'em and screw'em good!
That's swell.
Let me guess - big fan of Bush, Clinton or NAFTA?

[Ross]

That should have had Rob's quote (#4) in reply

[What can brown do TO you]

Bill,
I AM in the industry and you are WRONG on numerous points you try to make.
The vast majority of 2 day shipments DO move on aircraft while almost ALL of the overnight shipments do.
The overnight Express Airline that FedEx Express is depends upon the entire system working smoothly which is WHY it correctly falls under the RLA.
Why should an entire company (and, under the RLA, the national economy) be subjected to the whims a few perpetual malcontents in one location?
Unions will, by their own nature, seek the same greed (more dues $ for less benefits, etc.) for which they themselves state their case for their existence in many cases.
BTW, do you not think that UPS doesn't spend it's dollars & clout in D.C.? The Teamsters or any of the other unions? Or do you just want complain when Fred Smith does? Complain about the whole system if you want to & I'll be right there along with you.

Bill wrote:

None of you are obviously in the industry. A FedEx Express driver does NOT have the benefits or the wages a UPS driver has. UPS has always promoted substantially from within. Most supervisors and managers, up to the top of the company had been promoted from the front lines.
I'm not a union fan, but Fred Smith is so paranoid of the union, he will use his congressional connections and outright lies to keep the union out. If the employees are so thrilled with how they're treated at FedEx what does he have to worry about? Nothing, if the employees were really that happy. The truth is, more and more of them are getting tired of Fred breaking promise after promise.
Fact of the matter is, Fred used his congressional contacts to inject tag along language into a bill over ten years ago that guaranteed that his company would get treated specially from every other company.
Fact of the matter is, FedEx started as an express company and UPS as a ground parcel delivery company. Today, UPS and FedEx compete for the same customers, deliver the same services, with the same guaranteed times of day, utilizing the same hub and spoke system of airplanes, tractor trailers, and trucks. Times change folks, the laws should keep up with the times.
Fact of the matter is, a significant portion of FedEx Express packages never see the inside of an airplane as they use trucks for their one-day, two-day, and three-day services whenever possible.
Fact of the matter is, FedEx subcontracts its ground business. But they tell their subcontractors, what to do, what to wear, how to do the job, what their truck should look like, etc. All legal definitions of an employee. Is it any wonder that they are under siege from employees and state attorney generals from all over the country?
Fact of the matter is, FedEx is trying to deflect attention away the truths about the way it does business and throw mud at a company that has been around for more than 100 years, provides hundreds of thousands of family jobs, and still makes a profit for its shareowners. You cannot compare this company and it's union to the auto industry where greed on both sides of the table and bad management decisions literally destroyed an industry. Other than one strike action in over 100 years, this company and it's union has worked together to build a company that we can all be proud of.
Fact of the matter is, Fred always wants his way and he gets very upset when he doesn't get it (see temper tantrum that he throws, saying he won't buy any Boeing planes). The millions he has spent on a marketing plan that slimes his competitor, I'm sure employees would like to have back in their benefit plans. I hope customers will recognize arrogance and a lack of integrity with this man and take their business elsewhere.