Travel time question

[Greg Kilgore]

I would really like to know what you guys think about this. I'll try not to ramble and make it as clear as I can.

 

I took this new job with companyX as a fiber splicer a year ago. I have a 45' bucket truck and 10or12 x 8 ft enclosed splice trailer I have to take home. Within the last 6 months all the management in the splice dept left. Now the power/construction management and higher ups are filling in. Just recently we were told travel to our 1st job is not payable even though we are in a company vehicle. 

We are union so I asked the union business manager about this. His reply was be grateful you were paid travel as long as you were and that you don't have to drive your POV to the job.

 

Last week I had 50hr total. The job area is 4-4.5 hrs away. My time was reduced to 44.5 hrs since we were told this travel thing on Tuesday of that week. I wasn't hired for this area. I was hired for area a lot closer to home. 

 

Pay is good. Work is not hard. Insurance is through the union and so far pretty good.

But I hate the thought of having to work extra just to make a 40hr paycheck. Anyone who has to drive as part of their job knows windshield time is not easy.

 

Anyway what do you guys think. Should I look for a different job or just suck it up because of the decent pay and health insurance.

[klm]

Suck it up but look for another job, maybe during your travel time.

[Greg Kilgore]

Yep, I'm looking. 

[Greg Kilgore]

Update, got tired of the company questioning my time. Tired of the company wiping their behinds with the union contract. And getting accused twice in one week about my time. And the company only paying me for 11 hours when I worked 11.75 hours. Instead of rounding up to 12 since they could only bill by the hour. Rounded down to 11. I told my General Foreman to have someone at the office. To inventory my truck cause I quit. GF called 10 minutes later said to just bring dollar items (Splicer , OTDR Tester, laptop etc...) in and put in the office. Somebody would inventory the next day cause I would be there until after 5 and everyone left at 4. Told the GF to have someone come to my house and pick up the truck. 

Sometimes you just have to do what you got to do.

I made the 3rd splicer that left in a 4 week period. And about 3 weeks later another guy left. No, I didn't file for unemployment. Can't do that when you quit a job. At least not in KY.

This was October 17th 2024. Would have been working for another company, as a splicer, 3 weeks ago. But been fighting an Acute Pancreatitis attack for almost 2 months now.

But the new GF told me to call him after Christmas to let him know how I'm doing and if I still wanted the job. I lost about 20lb fighting that Pancreatitis attack. From 287 to 265. But all good. So hopefully I'll be working before the new year.

 

Anyway y'all have a

Merry Christmas and a Happy Hangover 

 

Kilgore 

[Joe Breaux]

Hope things improve...MERRY CHRISTMAS 🖖

[Alien10]

Man, whenever leaving a job,  NEVER drop off any equipment you are accountable for without getting a signed receipt for it before it leaves your possession.  Keep it until someone in authority is available and can sign for it in good condition, and give you a written receipt!!  I've had to fire people in my career who had company equipment and this was always a first order of business.  A written check list of equipment, its condition and both me and the ex signed with copies distributed BEFORE they left. 

Also if you are a new hire the same thing goes.  Full written equipment and condition documents.  If you are taking over any company accounts, those too have to be documented as to amounts and condtions.

Don't mean to be a downer here, but protect yourself especially if the management is falling apart as you have described. 

Good luck!!

 

 

[Greg Kilgore]

Exactly. When the guys came and picked up the truck. I took multiple pics of everything. SN, items turned on and working, ECT. Then cut CC up in tiny pieces. Even pics of odometer showing miles and fuel gauge. Outside and inside of vehicle and trailer. Did those when I received also. In case I was accused of any damage. 

 

When I went to the union the day after I quit. I was told that this Union hall had never sent anyone to that company in over 8 years. Asked it there was anything they could do so this to keep this company from taking advantage of the guys still there. Union said nothing they could do except file a grievance if I wanted my job back. Said no cause the company would still find a way to get rid of me. And if I wanted to to stay there I wouldn't have quit. Talked to a guy still working there the week after I quit. He said the company changed their policy and started to pay drive from the company lot to the 1st job of the day and back to the lot. But that was what the union contract stated in the 1st place. Except the union contract put it as the headquarters instead of company lot. 

So maybe I did help out the remaining guys in the long run.

It has to work out. No other choice. LOL.

But really I want to be an artist. Sit on the couch and draw a check every month. LOL 

[Joe Breaux]

You need to work for the govt to do that🤣

[Greg Kilgore]

Been there done that. Got the DD214 to prove it. Still can't be an artist. Said my condition was not service related. LOL 

 

Just got a call from the GF at new company. Said he'd send me a list of what to bring for orientation and training and I'd start on Jan 7th. 

My future is looking so bright I've got to wear shades.

 

[Alien10]

Congrats!!!!

 

[Greg Kilgore]

Thanks

[Joe Breaux]

I'm retired contractor..no more interviews or training for me. No boss to fire me..except maybe the wife.  Lol. Spend my time thinking...what fun thing can I do tomorrow? Life is 👍 

[Greg Kilgore]

If your wife/boss is anything like mine. I feel sorry for ya' brother.

[Joe Breaux]

Honestly  she actually pretty great..15 yrs younger than me.. my 3rd. One. 

[Greg Kilgore]

Hey Joe, 

Don't know if you like Bluegrass music. If you do, got a band and song you should check out.

Band is "Grandpa's Cough Medicine" song is "Brand New .22" 

Grandpa's Cough Medicine is not your traditional bluegrass band. But I really like them. Also Pinebox Boys.

Later

Greg

[CSM_Retired]

Greg you did the right thing. No way should you let a company nickle and dime your time. Hope you have better luck at your new job.

[Greg Kilgore]

CSM_Retired,

Thank you for your service.

Thank you for the comment. Was supposed to have started 1/7/25. At the last minute, this snow storm came in and changed the plan. Depending on what the weather does this weekend, Will determine where/when I start. As of now start date is 1/13/25. We got about 5-6 inches of snow with 1/4 inch of ice on top of that. So company did a safety stand down until weather improved. 

 

Essayon 

[Alien10]

Another poor policy thing is having employees pay for their business expenses on their personal credit cards then take 6 weeks to get the expense approved and paid back to the employee. 

I used to do that, including business airline tickets until I finally said I wouldn't go unless the Co provided the tickets up front.  A year later we all got Co credit cards.

[CSM_Retired]

Best of luck to you on your new job!

[Greg Kilgore]

Well, I'm petty or maybe just like to stir the pot. Let me explain.

The Superintendent at the old company sent a group text not long before I left. I still talk to a lot of the splicers at the old company.

So I was going to send them a text stating I got on with the new company. I looked through the old text messages on my phone and found a group text with two of the guys name on it. Well I clicked on the message and it was from the old superintendent to all of the splicers in the old company.

Well I replied stating I got my Bucket truck, what kind, make , with picture of new company logo with me in the pic and a pic of the full truck, ECT. And sent it.

And this new company is a competitor of the old company. LOL.

Then about a minute later sent another message apologizing for sending the text stating I didn't see who all was included and I sent the text "accident" to everyone in that group. Got a reply from one of the guy with a LOL.

Called him up and found out that week was his last. He turned in his 2 weeks notice a week back. And the big bosses had another splicer call to see what it would take to keep him there. Wouldn't even call himself. Then turned around and gave another guy a big raise. But would not offer the guy that turned in his notice .01 cent to stay.

Told him the grass IS greener on the other side. Offered to put in a good word for him at this company. Said he has already got a new job lined up. So all good. FTFF