There was no shutdown or strike in my eyes. It was just another day and some drivers managed to get a HOS reset out of it. There was NO plan to accomplish anything other than to let everyone know that they are upset and broke because of the cost of fuel. Surely we as drivers must know that we are not the only ones that are hurt by the rising cost? We are all struggling with that. What's the point and what did it accomplish? There wasn't a point made and it only accomplished once again to show that we are NOT prepared to go the distance to get what we need done.
In fact we don't even have to have a shut down to do that. A shut down is only effective if your representatives are at the bargaining table and the other side calls your hand.
Then you show them that you DO have the ACES by making one phone call that causes a majority of drivers to park within a given time table. That's a plan and is something that will get their attention. What transpired today was a wasted effort.
Todays scattered showed that everyone has a problem with fuel prices. It accomplished one thing which was once again we don't have a clear objective in mind or any plans to achieve it. Par for the course. Will we ever learn?
For the 3 trillionth time, I'll say it again.
In order for our industry to accomplish anything by having a shutdown it has to have several elements in place period or it's not worth loosing your job, or jeopardizing your customer base that you busted your butt to get and keep.
Funding
Planning
Organization
Planning
Leadership
Planning
A list of demands
Planning
Legal Representation
Planning
Political Representation
Planning
Cold hard FACTS.
Not a bunch of thrown together complaints that no one can provide actual figures, charts and graphs of which is the only thing that the government understands if they do indeed understand those things and what they represent in dollars and cents.
To get their attention the majority of trucking companies and drivers have to park at the same time, when our spokes people make that one call and not a second sooner or later, that shows planning, intent and solidarity.
We have to stand as a united front together and be prepared to ask and answer hard questions.
What effects, long range and reaching repercussions a nationwide strike would have on the U.S. and it's trading partners and our industry.
Personally I've never seen a list that explains what we need and why. I have mine but I've never seen any from any other truckers or organizations.
WAKE UP DRIVERS it's the 21st century! Nothing is accomplished by random trucks being parked. Learn to use the assets that we have now to communicate, decide that for once we can't all be first and right.
It's pretty sad that AARP, PATT MADD can form organizations in a very short period of time that have enough political power to change what laws they want changed over time, and NO ONE misses one day of work and we the people that keep this nation moving, the military armed, and food on everyones tables but ours, can't even plan and agree on one simple thing.
Think about it folks, it's a sign of the things to come and they aren't going to be getting any better unless we change to change our way of life for the better.
One little tiny weak voice can swell to a loud roar if we only tried.
NW
Tags: Wasted Effort Fuel Prices Planning
