When I was a young, dumb hot head I was one of the first to scream strike and cuss the government. Over the years I have learned that doesn't do anything but give me laryngitis and prove how stupid I was. Eventually I figured it out and stopped. I try to use my brain and the Internet now which is the only way we can all communicate and get somewhere.
In the beginning OOIDA had the right mind set, over the years it's changed. I don't say that they don't do a lot of good things for us, or that I don't appreciate what they have accomplished that's why I've been a member. I just don't think that they are on the right track as far as organizing the industry. They could have by now IF they had of made the effort to.
Another issue I have with them is the fact that they aren't a Non Profit and there are some serious bucks being paid to a lot of people there salary wise that could be used for lobbying to have the laws changed so that we come under the auspices of Wage and hour again and have the same protection that most of American workers have. I personally don't want anyone making one penny off the backs of the drivers or getting paid outrageous salaries so that they can "help" the trucking industry. It has to be a passion, a calling so deep that you look past the money aspect of it.
Getting us back under the Wage and Hour regulations would go a LONG ways toward solving some of the major issues the industry has been fighting for years such as log books regulations, unpaid hours sitting at docks, sitting in shops for repairs and maintenance on company trucks, just to name a few It would probably have an effect on the latest greatest idea the government has and that's the purposed speed limiters. Hey bring it on, I'm all for it as long as
EVERY vehicle including ALL buses, cars have to have them, otherwise it's discrimination pure and simple.
I don't doubt that they lack funding or membership, they made some stupid financial moves in the past one between 1999-2002 which was trying to finance equipment, they had no business getting into that and lost a lot of money.
Lack of membership is something that they haven't approached correctly. Some drivers think that because the name is OOIDA it's just for owner operators and their drivers. I can't tell you how many times I've explained that one.
Another thing is that they don't allow the members to vote on what projects they tackle, not saying that the ones they have weren't justified and appreciated, but you have to let the members participate more. It can't be just pay the dues and we'll decide what issues are important.
There will in all probability NEVER be a nationwide strike because there are too many opportunist out there that will take advantage of those that park during these so called "strikes" of the past like the one in '74. That one caused more harm than good because of the violence that was involved in it. The site that was preaching strike was shut down and is now in litigation for several things. One was being stupid I think.
In order for drivers of ALL kinds to be taken seriously there has to be a nationwide effort and not just a few splinter groups trying to strike, that have no organization or negotiating skills.
They think just because they park the trucks wave a few signs, talk to the press that they've done something. Well they have. They've proved once again, that we cannot put our differences aside long enough to unite in order to have the power to make things change. I personally would be at the front of the line if there ever was a serious attempt at organizing with actual representation that had the bargaining skills to present what we need, why and the facts to back them up.
You make alot of good points,but I have to disagree on OOIDA. I think if this organization had the backing of the majority of the truckers out here, they would be able to do plenty for us. As it stands, they are limited due to a lack of support and a lack of funding.
They do what they can though, and we have brought several things they were at the forefront of up for discussion here. Right now, they at least get vocal on issues and do their best to get us drivers out there and acting on the issues.
Where the OOIDA is limited though, is the membership. It is hard for them to present something to Congress and say that their entire membership is behind them, when they will only be laughed at due to the fact that the "entire membership" is roughly 150,000. Let them go to war for us, with 1 million members behind them, and our representatives in Washington D.C. will be forced to listen.
OOIDA digs tons of issues up and brings them to our attention, many things that the majority of drivers would never know about until they have already happened. Drivers need to do their part though, and act on the things they are made aware of. Until now, drivers have been the weak link in the trucking industry, and until they focus, organize, and become active in all the issues, it will remain that way.
Most drivers can tell you who the Presidential candidates are, but I bet it is safe to say that the majority of them do not know who their representatives are, or most of the other elected officials that they have the ability to vote for.
As for the ATA, that organization could care less about the drivers. They are going to do whatever the large companies pay them to do.