The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Miscellaneous Rumbles:

Welcome to the Gretsch Pages

A big change of plans!

- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 8:55 p.m. roadjunkie:

One thing I truly despise is a whiney post! My turn for a bit of a whiney posting but I think this one will end well! I hope!

I've told you folks who I work for quite a few times over the past couple of years but for this thread I'm going to leave their name out of this thread mostly for legal purposes. Truthfully I work for an independant contractor leased to this company.

Monday I show up to work and find out thru other drivers that one of the routes was terminated and the freight was being divided up. That's all I knew for about an hour or so until I was told I was doing two more towns. Not one supervisor said a word to me about this but other drivers were left to tell me this! I told everyone around me I would not take the freight unless one of the supervisors informed me in person! They didn't and wouldn't!

Most days I was going in @ 6am and getting home at 8-9-10 even 11 pm and I've said that here before! So on my way to my town that I work in one of the sups calls. Long story short he wants to give me greif over not taking that freight! I tell him don't think I'm going to sit here and take your bullshit because you and the other sups didn't do your job and that it wasn't another drivers responsability to tell me these things it was his. Things got ugly and I hung up on him after I told him I didn't want to talk to him if he was going to be stupid! Get the idea!

Well I go in today and the same BS starts up! I told them outright I wasn't going to deliver it! I put in more time then you deserve of me. There's alot more to this story but I don't want to bore everyone. These people really shit on my family when my mother died last year and I don't owe them a thing more then what they get out of me so they were told by me FIRE ME!-TAKE ME OUT BACK AND BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF ME OR JUST SHUT THE FK UP!

I didn't deliver it and I fully expect to be fired tomorrow. I'm already involved in a lawsuit because they illegally decided we don't get time and a half for overtime and in my terminal they would owe me more money then anyone else! I take what I do very seriously and my regular customers love my service. I think those of you that have met me could see I'm a pretty easy going person but I do have a bit of an edge to me!

So here's the plan I think????? I'm going to try to get a job in a guitar store just to make ends meet. Everything I have is paid off . No house payments no car payments and bills are low! I just need enought to get by then I think I want to set up something like what Shelton has been doing! Other then the people in my life it's what I love the most! I think it's time to do something that I love rather then to just get by!

Is this nuts or what?
- Rated: 45 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 9:09 p.m. Bear:

I, for one truly admire your integrity. I was in management for years and you are absolutely correct that if your job description changes in any way, it is up to your superiors to inform you, not your peers. If you are terminated, I suggest that you seek legal consul for wrongful termination and I would most definitely get with the FTC (after discussing with your attorney) regarding lack of overtime pay. A federal investigation could cost them a fortune and possibly put them out of business so they may prefer to settle up with you. Talk to your lawyer.
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 9:29 p.m. roadjunkie:

There is no management in this place or what's to pass as management is a joke! I turned one supervisor in to corperate for launching boxes at my head for a two week period. That came to a head when I caught a package heading straight for my nose. We got into a good mouth battle and I walked away from him. When I came back he was trying to goad me into throwing a punch. I laughed at him and said I'm pissed but not stupid and all you have to do is fire me then forcefully remove me from the building then I would make all his wishes and dreams come true! He pussed out. The office went over the security cameras and told me there was nothing on film but it stopped quickly and he now stays away from me! I have another card up my sleeve about that one so no I'm not letting that one go yet!
- Rated: 13 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 10:26 p.m. Spartanman:

Roadjunkie:

1) I'm not a lawyer, but if everything you say is true, I would spend the $150 - $300 for an hour or so consultation with an attorney. He or she will tell you if you've got a case. Be sure you see a labor lawyer. Contact your local American Bar Association Chapter for a reference.

2) If you file a claim with the Federal and/or State Government, do so on the advice of counsel.

3) If you are going to quit, speak with the lawyer first as to the proper procedure for quitting.

4) Document, Document, Document! And then make copies in triplicate!

5) As for the business -- If you are in the situation you say you are, do it! Do what you love.

5a) Have a written plan for your business.

5b) OPM -- Other People's Money. Don't use your own money to finance the business, Get investors.

5c) Don't get such an ego that you refuse to seek and/or pay for advice. All successful business people seek out expert counsel and advice. There is also a ton of free information out there.

Now go do it!

Hmmm... maybe I should become a life coach
- Rated: 36 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 10:35 p.m. J(esse James)D:

Your main problem is your AGEBy the time you near 50, life has thrown enough BS at a guy, that he just won't take it anymore.

Nothing wrong Road, you're just getting older, and grumpier

And................you ARE very lucky. You are in the financial position that you don't have to take the BS.

It's hard on the nerves, but it'll work out. Get the legal advice needed, and if there's "fish in the pond".......empty the "MF" and have a "fish fry". Then move on to your dream.

Good luck to you my friend, and keep us posted if you can,

J(esse's a OLD Fart too)D
- Rated: 9 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 10:45 p.m. mainsoda:

Life is too short to deal with these kinds of things. Reading between your lines I get that you are miserable at this job even without the extra work. It is scary to lose financial stability I know. My band starting touring a ton last year and I lost my job every time we went to Europe. I am now quite poor from this, but I am doing what I LOVE and I am happy. Sometimes I freak out about not being able to pay the rent, but you know something ...it always seems to work out. It will with you as well.
- Rated: 47 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 11:27 p.m. Curt:

Definitely do something that you like. If you're going to do the guitar thing it might be a good idea to get involved with guitar repair and setups. It can be the bread and butter of the business. It's difficult to make money moving old guitars unless you already have a stash.
- Rated: 52 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 11:39 p.m. fieldhdj:

I agree with the sentiments above. Life is too short to take a constant barrage of crap. See the lawyer, clean 'em out, and go do what you love doing.
- Rated: 28 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 11:44 p.m. greg:

Wow Road!i still find it hard to believe there are companies that hire Crowmags like that for Sups.I am so lucky working as a driver at Canada post.All my sups are my friends and are always there to help me when i need them.I am never forced to take more than my Quota for the day and if they are in a bind i get paid very well for OT.I am so pissed off for you i feel like coming down and duking it out with them right beside ya!Yeah get some help and find away to Hurt them big time so they dont push anybody else like you around.If you have the energy........warn them politely...and then tell them there will be no more talks like this again.Then if need be..go for the throat.Do it calm and with a smile.They hate that.Keep us updated.Ive got this bookmarked. Goodluck Brother!!!
- Rated: 28 ↑
Jul 1, 2008 11:47 p.m. greg:

Oh yeah....can i squeeze your Avatar?
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 2, 2008 12:11 a.m. roadjunkie:

Spartanman: said: 3) If you are going to quit, speak with the lawyer first as to the proper procedure for quitting.

The a-hole box thrower and I got into it last year once and called me outside like he was going to beat my ass. When I got in his face and didn't back down he changed his tune! Instead he said he was going to make me so miserable I would quit! I laughed at him again and this is my exact quote What makes you think you're man enough to think you can make me more miserable then I already am? My one joy in life is knowing you don't want me here! He stammered a bit and went to go inside and I blocked his way and told him if he ever layed a hand on me those pretty little girls were going to push their daddy around in a wheelchair for the rest of their life, then I let him go. Every couple of months he grows his balls back! So far he's stayed out of this one. The way I've handled this ordeal probably isn't the most healthy thing I've done for myself. My fault! I should have left a long time ago. Anyways I'm not going to quit now they'll have to fire me. Since I'm part of this lawsuit they would have a lot to answer for!

I'm looking at things as this maybe a good time to be turning 50! I think I have the right perspective outlook for the first time in a long time! Just the very idea of doing what I want instead of doing what I need to do puts a brighter shine on this dark chapter!

BTW there will be nothing to cleaning them out. last year they posted a 900 mil. loss and the year before 800 mil. They will be lucky to last the year! Hopefully in the morning I'll be done with them
- Rated: 62 ↑
Jul 2, 2008 12:54 a.m. antik:

Roadjunkie, Are you an independent contractor or do you work for an independent contractor? i.e, do you pay the full social security taxes or does someone else pay the employer's portion? The reason I ask is because if you are an independent contractor paying full social security, and the company fires you for not taking on specific extra duties where they decide the what when and where, they could be liable for back taxes to the IRS. The reason being they are then treating you like an employee, but not paying the employer's share of the taxes.

Fedex (ground) is fighting a $300 million dollar plus assessment in taxes and penalties from the IRS for treating their drivers as employees but calling them contractors and not paying up like they were supposed to.
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 4, 2008 11:05 a.m. roadjunkie:

Update!

When I was getting ready to go in Weds. morning I got a call 15 minutes before I had to be there and it was one of the Sups wanting to know if I was going to be working today. I told her I was on my way in but if I'm going to be fired what's the rush! I also said I have every intentions of doing exactly what I did the day before and there was no changing that!

I went in and they caved somewhat. Trying to say I never gave them the chance to fully explain they took another section off my route freeing me up to do these other two towns. I called their bluff and said that if I had to wait for them to tell me this all along I'd still be waiting because they dropped the ball when they didn't say a word Monday morning. This was clearly an attempt to cover up their screwup and they had no intention of taking anything off my route until I told them where to stick it!

Anyway Weds I got back at 10 pm then yesterday was an 11 hour day. I think I'm just going to stick to my guns and just leave on my own accord. I'm getting to old for the BS and I just have too much resentment to stay with them. I am sticking with the lawsuit until the end.

Thanks everyone for listening to me vent. Like I said I don't like whiney postings but I needed to get this out!

I'll be sure to let you guys know if I get this off the ground!
- Rated: 28 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 9:09 p.m. greg:

Go RJ!!!!
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 10:36 p.m. roadjunkie:

Hey thanks for the support! I'm sure I'll get things working right soon!
- Rated: 28 ↑
Jul 5, 2008 11:23 p.m. crowbone:

RJ,

I know you are, and have been frustrated for a long, long time. I also know it can be a draining thing to have to go to a job you loathe.

The only thing I know could be worse is coming home to a woman you loathe, but that's another story.

Where ever you go, you'll find headaches at work, that's why it's called work. But when there's a constant nagging in your brain for you to get out, then look to get out.

If you can endure the job while searching, or setting up shop, I'd recommend doing so, as you might find a need for that income stream, especially in these times. I'd hate to see you quit a job on principal without a solid backup plan. 'Tis better to make a lateral move than have to start over, no?

Anyway, Good Luck to you, you deserve much better.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 6, 2008 12:29 a.m. gretschiam:

roadjunkie- I admire you and wish you the best. There is no good ending for something like this, so try to make it the nest for yourself that you can.

I sued my employer about 6 years ago when I caught them committing fraud. It just settled last December, and since then they've been doing everything they can to hurt me. Even physically.

I feel for you and really hope you come out well.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jul 6, 2008 7:44 a.m. Boyko:

Good luck roadjunkie. Luckily you are in the financial situation to be able to start working at what you want to, instead of having to put up with this. Hopefully you come out well in the end, as I'm sure you will!

How cool would it be to work in a guitar store for the next few years. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Employee discounts! Make sure they stock Gretsch.
- Rated: 5 ↑
Jul 6, 2008 10:32 a.m. zero:

im impressed RJ

youve got a pair on you to say the least & have a talent for saying a clever comment in the midst of a showdown. Good show for sure. Good luck hope you get what you deserve & them too :)
- Rated: 35 ↑
Jul 6, 2008 10:56 a.m. roadjunkie:

Yeah just what I need another talent that doesn't have a payoff! Tends to get me in trouble also!
- Rated: 39 ↑
Jul 6, 2008 11:27 p.m. Richard Hudson:

Hope it all works out for you roadjunkie. I hauled heavy equipment for Tri State back in the 70's and 80's. Quit about 1984 to be at home more with my growing up chilluns and my lovely bride. That diesel smoke is still in my nostrils though. You never get away from it although it hasn't bothered me like I thought it would (getting off the road).

Anyway, I hope everything comes out for the best. Keep a cool head.

Richard
- Rated: 39 ↑
Jul 7, 2008 12:56 a.m. Ric12string:

roadjunkie, I think you need to spend some time with those women pictured in your avatar! They wil make everything better! Who are they anyway?

You'll need to log in to post.