Hi, everyone. It's good to be with you all this evening.

[Tobin S.]

My new job is going well. Today was my first day by myself out in the yard moving trailers around. I like that job. It's good to be sort of driving tractor-trailers again, but I have to split time between that and loading trucks. I'm what's called "swing relief" at the company. I have to know two different jobs and work on all three shifts as needed. I fill in for guys on the dock and out in the yard. It's more difficult and for that reason I'll make a little more money than the regulars on their shifts once I reach full pay. I think that takes about a year.

You want to know a great thing about union labor? Everybody knows what everybody else is making. At my previous job it was forbidden to talk about wages with your co-workers. You could be fired for doing so. It's a part of a divide and conquer scheme that keeps wages low. A mechanic at that company broke the silence with me one time in private. He said that the mechanics and CDL drivers at that company made about $6 an hour lower than national averages for those positions. I think I know what he was wanting to do and he is a brave man. I had thought for a while that that company was in dire need of a union. Management would just climb all over you there. It seemed like you couldn't breathe without clearing it with the boss. Throw in lower than average wages and I think you can see what that man might have been trying to do. He is a better man than me.

Other than that, I'm just chilling with some brewskies this evening. I have tomorrow off so I can sleep in. I hope this evening finds you well.

[elleng]

1. We're happy to hear of your happiness, Tobin!

Speaking for the Group!

[Tobin S.]

4. Thanks, ellen.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. It's good to hear from you, my dear Tobin!

And I think you're absolutely right about your former job--they use enforced silence to keep people and their wages down. I'm so glad you got out of there.

So your hours are variable as well as your duties? How much advanced warning do they give you about your schedule? I hope it's something that you can live with.

Enjoy your brewskies!

[Tobin S.]

3. They make out a new schedule every week.

So I know a week in advance what I'm going to be doing. It pretty much goes by scheduled vacations. I know that if someone has a week off coming up, I'm going to be filling in that role. Time off is scheduled for the entire year in advance. So, no surprises. And, after a year, I become eligible to bid on other jobs. So I'm probably not going to be swing relief for the rest of my career.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I thought there had to be something like that in place!

[sorefeet]

6. Welcome to the brother/sisterhood

It's well worth it.

[MrMickeysMom]

7. I really enjoyed hearing this, Tobin...

Have a good day off. You're a hybrid, and that's good!

[PasadenaTrudy]

8. You sound much more relaxed

So nice to hear!

[oldandhappy]

9. Congrats. Glad you are out of your former job

And you sound happy. I am glad you have this new situation, tho I admit, it sounds challenging. Happy brewskis!

[Worried senior]

10. Glad it's going well

How's your wife's new job going?

[Tobin S.]

11. She is doing well.

She seems to have everything down as far as training goes. She's on her own now and making sales.

[bigwillq]

12. Happy to hear things are going well.

[lunatica]

13. I'm very relieved to hear you say this

I can never get over the way some companies treat people like slaves. It just always makes me angry. Some business practices need to go the way of the Dodo Bird.