FedEx Threatens to "Destroy" Congress

[marmar]

FedEx Threatens to "Destroy" Congress

by UnionReview
Friday 05 of June, 2009


FedEx CEO Fred Smith’s arrogant campaign of threats and intimidation continued this week when his top spokesman threatened to take down members of Congress who oppose FedEx’s position on a key piece of legislation.

When asked about FedEx’s multi-million dollar ad campaign against the legislation that is reported to launch on Tuesday, June 9, top FedEx flack Maury Lane told U.S. News and World Report in a story posted in The White House Bulletin, “I’m going to try to destroy them.”

This follows Smith’s repeated threats to cancel a $10 billion contract to purchase Boeing 777 planes if FedEx Express workers were moved under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

FedEx clearly threatened in a March 24, 2009 SEC filing, and Smith reiterated in testimony before Congress in May, that its contract to purchase additional aircraft from Boeing is contingent upon its labor relations for all of its employees being governed by the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Under this provision, if Congress dares to grant even a portion of its workers the rights enjoyed by most American private sector employees under the NRLA, FedEx has the right to cancel those purchase orders.

“Fred Smith and FedEx breed a culture of arrogance,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “First, they cut wages, increase medical insurance premiums and eliminate pension benefits for its employees. Then they try to blackmail Congress with threats to pull the Boeing contract. Now they threaten to destroy the political careers of those who oppose them.” .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?content_id=13852

[madokie]

1. If true for that alone I'll make sure I don't use fed-ex

anymore when I order something. I just don't like the sound of the language used if nothing else

[Motown_Johnny]

2. Fuck Him. we should tax the overnight delivery services to fund the Postal Service.

Not that I don't use FedEx, but I would gladly pay an extra 50 cents or so just to help that social program know as the Post Office

[Blackhatjack]

5. Exactly! Send that idea to the White House! n/t

[ThirdWorldJohn]

3. So FedEx is opposed to hiring Lobbyists to corrupt Congress. Silly FedEx. n/t

[Botany]

4. Ship UPS

they dumped O'Rielly's show as a place they buy ad time

[Cha]

8. Interesting! I read at one point

during the bush years that UPS was a red company but maybe they saw the light:think:

[SmileyRose]

36. No prob if you want it there late and broken.

FX gets it there in one piece on time or early most of the time. UPS charges us almost 30% more to get it there "someday" and broken more times than not.

Other businesses have a different experience but we ship all over the US and it's held pretty consistent. Neiman Marcus has UPS pick up their stuff on their account - about 20% of it arrives broken. Neiman has recently decided to tell us we have to pay to replace it and guess what, we mandated they either let us pick the carrier or else go get bent.

About the only thing all of American business did agree on is that DHL sucked the big one.

[TroubleMan]

41. We ship and receive every day and I strongly disagree about the late part.

UPS does break a lot of stuff, but often it's the person who packed it that was as fault. We get a lot of broken Fed-Ex packages, too, and their service is slower and very unpredictable.

I think it all depends on your area, though. I've heard in some places Fed-Ex is better and in some places UPS is better. Where I'm at, UPS is definitely better. Fed-Ex is bad here about getting packages on time.

[OKNancy]

57. I've had a totally different experience

UPS has always been great. USPS too... love the (free)flat rate boxes.

[SmileyRose]

69. flat rate is a good thing but

we ship an enormous amount of larger boxes full of fragile goods. USPS rates for what we ship are cost prohibitive. On a regular basis FX and UPS get it there in about the same time - but I swear to Gawd our local UPS route must hire the most careless people on earth. Breakage is close to 40% (no not 4% - 40%) - with FX our breakage is around 1%. We heard UPS hired a new driver for our route and gave them another shot on a percentage of ships if they would at least meet FX's pricing. They lasted 3 weeks. As soon as the bills started coming and the rates were higher than quoted, and the breakage figures came in - it all went back to FX.

Now on things like sales books etc that have to be quick shipped to our outside sales people, the USPS one rate envelopes are the best deal going.

[grace0418]

64. I've had the exact opposite experience. I mean, neither have been perfect but

UPS has been far more reliable for me than FedEx. But I agree, DHL sucks.

[grace0418]

65. dupe

sorry

[votingupstart]

6. i wonder if other delivery services are part of this or not nt

[Cha]

7. Rec'd~ Let's get fred smith's words

out there!

[WeDidIt]

9. FedEx Sucks

It's my carrier of last resort.

I'll use the USPS before I go FedEx.

[glitch]

17. I have no problem with USPS -- they are fast and reliable and much, much cheaper.

Of course they don't advertise so they don't get much respect.

[ContinentalOp]

45. USPS is the best

I don't understand people who use these expensive private companies.

[Raineyb]

48. You obviously don't deal with my local post office

I had packages returned to sender because I left them at the post office too long. Why didn't I pick them up you ask? Because the little orange slip that tells you "you have a package" was never left in the bloody mailbox. Apparently I'm supposed to just know when a package has arrived. Regular mail is fine but I'll deal with UPS for packages thank you very much. I know the package will arrive and if they don't leave it with the neighbor I can pick up the package while running other errands.

[glinda]

58. They lost a lot of our mail and packages and you cannot get any help from them

[Skink]

10. Obama fresh from doing all he can to break the UAW might cave.

[xchrom]

11. recommend

[muntrv]

12. Post office is cheaper than Fedex, but now is more reason to boycott Fedex.

[glinda]

59. So people want my brother to loose his job??????

He has over 25 yrs. at FedEx. Granted, he has never been happy that they do not have a Union and the fact that he has applied over and over again for advancing at his job, to no avail as the list of people in front of him is huge.... but they have laid off people and my brother could easily be in the next group cut.
FedEx generally is cheaper than UPS as my husband compares shipping with his Ebay. USPS is good 90% of the time but if they loose a package, forget it. All the cuts at the PO have made their system unreliable as well as they barely hire any regular full time staff anymore.

[glinda]

60. The boss may be an asshole and needs to be exposed but the workers need to be

protected no matter what, in the long run. They employ hundreds of people in MN.

[shanti]

13. more union busting

the corps. think that they can do anything they want to the workers, and it won't be questioned...screw those sob's.

[Triana]

14. Well now. No more FedEx for me then.

Poor little spoilt, whiny babies...got no use for their nazi-like arrogance.

http://www.auburn.edu/~murraba/elucid/baby,crying,tantrum.jpg

[AlexanderProgressive]

15. Where's the link to the CEO's threat?

I wish they had posted a link to a transcript of his threat. Does anyone know where it is?

[Strong Atheist]

54. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[RandomThoughts]

16. If FedEx CEO is making a threat to remove a contract.

strickly based on a decision made by elected officials, outside of even 'the profit motive', (since wide spread complete boycotts of FedEx are a logical conclusion) Then he has made a declaration of war against democracy. He is using his ability to control purchasing to wage war on the people that support politicians in an attempt to weaken the power of elected officials trying to support those people.

This is just a plain look at the action, but it seems that such an action is an attack against America as defined as being about 'we the people'.

Such a direct attack on democracy, and such a declaration of open war, can therefore be countered by all non ideological thinking people by removing his power by nationalizing his company and returning its power of purchasing to its employees and stock holders that do not wage war on democracy. Or by rational share holders removing him from power, showing that they have a broader view of what it means to have control over purchasing power.

This sounds pretty radical, because it is thinking about the situation with no preconceived notion that having money means you have the right to rule, it surmises that having a consensus of many people, as shown in elections, is where power resides.

My point is not to advocate for nationalizing FedEx, just to show without preconceived notions of 'the way it is' it is completely acceptable and logical for his company to be taken from his control.

Also besides a boycott, if you are just a secretary or worker, and your company does not believe in a boycott, having a FedEx delivery person wait 30 minutes for each package pick up and delivery would be very effective also.


It is humorous though how his attempt to destroy, will only do such a thing, to himself.

[RandomThoughts]

19. It should be noted Fed Ex CEO does support removing dependence on foreign oil

Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx Corp., and Co-Chair of the Council, said, "The numbers in this poll show overwhelming public support for the oil security measures proposed by the Council. After proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, we believe energy security represents the most serious issue confronting the American people. We look forward to working with Members of Congress from both parties and with the President to help enact measures that are clearly and eagerly supported by the American people."
http://www.secureenergy.org/site/page.php?node=364&id=4

So he may be not as against working with congress as the original post surmises, he may be able to work with congress on a variety of issues. I guess time will tell on this one.

[RandomThoughts]

23. Interview with CEO

He has some views here that seem to be against the financial sector, and against big oil.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/search-results/m/22050066/playmakers-fedex-ceo-fred-smith.htm

Still have not found his quote on destroying congress people.

He is pro business though, so it is possible.


Edit: at 6:00 minutes, he answers with his view. he says that allowing strike of major sectors of economy could hurt economy. The idea that some sectors can not strike because of importance to economy. He mentions contract cancelling of Boeing planes.

He also says deregulation is great.

So it seems his position is more clear after watching the interview.

If FedEx is so big that a strike could hurt economy beyond an acceptable level, then it should be broken up or government regulated since it has an impact on all of society.

[The Doctor.]

18. I took the survey earlier this week.

It was obviously UPS sponsored. I think I frustrated the caller with a lot of non-answers, but it was something to do with trucking regulations giving 'FedEx an unfair advantage'.

What's the deal?

[Ikonoklast]

51. FedEx is in a big fight nation-wide over calling employees 'contractors', and

are getting their asses handed to them in court in various lawsuits. They are violating employment law and skirting IRS regs over what constitutes an employee vs. a 1099 contractor.

They are also virulently anti-union, and use the 'contractor' status of employees to keep them from organizing.

The poll was probably taken by a labor sponsored organization, or related to EFCA. FedEx is fighting EFCA tooth and nail.

[The Doctor.]

61. Thanks for the summation!

I can see the issue here.

[rosesaylavee]

20. USPS is cheaper and more efficient anyway.

And if they can't do the job, UPS. No more FedEx for me.

[femrap]

21. Well....I'll be using

UPS or the USPS for my shipments. Fuck you, Fred....better yet may you never get fucked again!

[cascadiance]

34. I guess for me the tougher thing is to find a competitor to Kinkos to go to instead...

Sending mail through UPS or the post office is easy. But trying to find a copy machine or a fax machine that you can go to use isn't always an easy thing to do.

[femrap]

73. I went to an Office Max and they had quite a system

of copiers and faxes...and the price was considerably below what Staples had quoted me. I had to send out 300 postcards with a message on them.

Hope that helps. I've also noticed in my area a couple of ma and pa copier/fax places.

[jimshoes]

22. How Rove-esque.

How did this country become infested with this type of germ? And can they be rendered harmless?

[BrklynLiberal]

24. Goodbye FEDEX

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

25. From Forbes

Frederick W Smith

TOTAL COMPENSATION
$8.67 mil (#164)

5-YEAR COMPENSATION TOTAL
$54.22 mi

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/12/44U5.html

[Wizard777]

50. Well all that money he screwed the employees out of had to go somewhere.

[AwakeAtLast]

26. What can 'brown' do for you?

Apparently all of my shipping business.

Thanks for the link!

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

27. Fuck you, Fred.

I hope your fucked up arrogance comes back to bite you in the ass ten-fold.

[RandomThoughts]

28. FedEx statement on financial contributions.

It would seem rational this would also be the policy about lobbying or any paid political marketing.

FedEx actively participates in the political process with the ultimate goal of promoting and protecting the economic future of the company and our stockholders and employees. We are subject to extensive regulation at the federal and state levels and are involved in a number of legislative initiatives in a broad spectrum of policy areas that can have an immediate and dramatic effect on our operations. Through our participation and that of our employees, we promote legislative and regulatory actions that further the business objectives of FedEx and attempt to protect FedEx from unreasonable, unnecessary or burdensome legislative or regulatory actions at all levels of government.

http://ir.fedex.com/documentdisplay.cfm?DocumentID=2823

The site also shows the cross pollination of board of directors of FedEx and other major corporations, including board of directors

http://ir.fedex.com/committees.cfm

It should be noted, that if their goal is to make profit for share holders, then their goal is for a very small percentage of society. Quite specifically they advocate for a small percent of people, against actions that would help most in society. This action makes it simple to conclude that their lobbing activities are not in the interest of society.

[The Gunslinger]

29. Fascism much.

[starroute]

30. FedEx Watch seems like a useful source

It's sponsored by the Teamsters -- which always makes me a bit wary -- but it seems to have a lot of information, up to date links on the unionizaton struggle, etc.

http://www.fedexwatch.com/

[Odin2005]

31. This is anti-democratic BLACKMAIL, fuck this shit!!!

:grr:

[ColbertWatcher]

32. If they don't want anyone to know about what they're doing ...

... maybe they shouldn't be doing it.

[wroberts189]

33. Corps. come out of the closet .. we own you're government they say. nt

[PretzelWarrior]

35. FUCCCCCKKK YOUUUUUU, FEDEX! What a bungh of repugnant horrible excuses for humans.

I mean it. We need to take a bunch of corporate CEOs out behind the wood shed and beat the ever lovin shit out of them. They gotta KNOW WE ARE THE RULERS> FU+CKKKKKK YOUUUUUUUU KMOTHER FUCKING ASSSHOLLLE:SSS


GO TOHEALALLLLLLL!!!

there. I was literally going intoa blind rage and couldn't type straight. THEY ARE FUCKING DOG SHIT. I will take them down.

in fact, this guy is getting a letter from me. I am never going to kinkos or Fedex again. FUCK YOU< ASSHOLLLEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[47of74]

37. I guess it is time to go with brown rather then these scumbags.

[Greyhound]

39. Use USPS, if not for Congressionally mandated subsidization by the USPS,

neither of these parasites would exist, and the price of postage would not be going up.

I've never understood why Americans love to hate the USPS, it is far and away the very best system on earth. Other countries wish they had as efficient and capable systems as the USPS, but we hate them. We are told that they are "losing $2B a year", but we never hear how they are forced to pay UPS and FedEx over $4B in completely one-sided, Congressionally mandated, leases.

[AZBlue]

38. USPS & UPS, here I come!

[Initech]

56. UPS is so much better than FedEx it's not even slightly funny.

[bridgit]

40. What a stupid thing to say, no wonder they're losing their ass

http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/19/news/companies/fedex.reut/index.htm

[yodoobo]

42. Perhaps some of that Tarp money can be used to merge FEDex to USPS

(I believe there is quite a bit left over)

Since Fedex is acting in a clearly illegal manner, its time we took a closer look. Use the same methods and procedures pioneered by the GM rescue to rescue Fedex.

The taxpayers should take over Fedex, merge its operations into USPS.

Result is a win/win/win/win

USPS wins, taxpayers win, Fedex employees win, Boeing employees win.

The only loss would be the Fedex CEO.

[earth mom]

43. Wonder what lengths this guy will go to take over the USPS like I'm sure he wants to do.

:grr:

[depakid]

44. Sounds to me like it's time for the IRS, the FBU and the Justice Department to have a look

at Mr. Smith's activities.

[Deja Q]

71. +42

[smalll]

46. How? By not delivering their packages absolutely, positively overnight? /nt

[bluesmail]

47. All I have to say about USPS is it WAS a great place to work

25-35 years ago. It's now a corporate entity. (Probably thanks to FedEx and the likes of DHL). It's name changed during the Nixon Regime. That's when it started growing into a corporation. USPS does have the lowest prices.

[surrealAmerican]

49. So, they'll spare no expense when it comes to ...

... shortchanging their employees.

[Vidar]

52. While destroying Congress might be laudable, corporations are even worse.

[spoony]

53. That's a great website, thanks marmar

I wrote off FedEx when they issued that Boeing threat. It's astonishing that they've actually found the nerve to escalate from that to this!

[Initech]

55. What a greedy fucking asshole.

Seriously - greedy fucking pieces of shit like this CEO scumfuck are the reason for the downfall of society. He should be put away for a long long time. :grr: :mad:

[rvablue]

62. Didn't McCain say something about appointing this guy to the Cabinet during the campaign?

I have some memory of that for some reason.

Just another reason among thousands that things turned out the way they did in Nov.

[Alameda]

63. Isn't there some law against threatening members of Congress?

[Initech]

67. Apparently the law doesn't apply to CEOs anymore.

At least I hope I'm wrong.

[Wednesdays]

66. K&R

:kick:

[Deja Q]

68. *** IF THAT WAS NOT A TERRORIST THREAT, WHAT IS ***

Edited: Grammar

[Deja Q]

70. FedUp with FedEx? Where can we write, to congress, the President, anybody else of authority?

Congress certainly won't let this stand.

[JVS]

72. Who the fuck do these people think they are?

[Deja Q]

74. Competing with these people:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=14892249&blogID=425212109

[Wednesdays]

75. Forgot to add: Kinko's is also part of FedEx

Kinko's is owned by the FedEx corporation.

I used to do business with Kinko's all the time. Not any more...I'll be hiring the local mom 'n' pop printing shop from now on.

Spread the word.

[NNN0LHI]

76. Smith is one very anti-union fucker too

http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/fedex/fed-up-with-fedex/anti-union-campaign-at-fedex-ground.html


The Anti-Union Campaign at FedEx Ground

FedEx Ground drivers often face long hours, no benefits, and no control over their work because the company claims they are independent contractors. When drivers attempt to form unions to address their working conditions, they face an arduous route. First, they must prove they are employees, and not independent contractors who lack the federally protected right to form a union. If they overcome that legal obstacle, they have to go up against FedEx Ground’s sophisticated anti-union campaign.

To date, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has issued complaints charging FedEx Ground with unlawful threats, interrogation, bribery, soliciting grievances, creating the impression that it was spying on workers’ union activities, and harassing, isolating, and firing union supporters.

FedEx CEO Fred Smith told The Wall Street Journal in 1989, “I don't intend to recognize any unions at Federal Express.”

[sarcasmo]

77. To think I was a subcontractor for that asshole Corporation in the 90's, FU- Fed Ex.

[givemebackmycountry]

78. And that FedEx plane that crashed and left that guy on that island for years...

You remember, that guy with the toothache and the volleyball that was his best friend.
They left him there.
For like a really long time, like a decade or two years or something.
And the first thing he did when he rode that whale back to land was deliver a package to some hot chick.
He had that girlfriend that was in all those tornado's.

They totally hosed that guy.
I don't think they are a very nice company.


(my inner 12 year old just wrote that :7 )

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

80. I wonder if FedEx got royalties for that movie?

I mean, the movie was about FedEx crashing a plane and basically screwing over a guy.
If a FedEx plane carrying my shipment crashed, I would hope FedEx would look harder than that for the crash site so I can get my stuff.

[Blaiseus]

79. These guys have super powers apparently

These guys blow my mind, apparently packages can travel 85 miles in 2 minutes.
Just checked status of a pacakage and saw this.



I'm scared of them to be honest *shudders*