Rinker Materials - United Metro Materials Dan Speck & Randy Pathael ripoff dirty SOB's, abused & mistreated one unit of the labor force Phoenix Tucson And Other Cities Arizona Florida
January first of 2003, Rinker Materials of West Palm Beach, Florida purchased United Metro Materials from Peter Kiewit D.B.A. Kiewit Materials of Omaha, Nebraska. Prior to the purchase date, Kiewit put into place at least two individuals, Dan Speck and Randy Pathael. Their titles are insignificant, but they are in decision making positions.
They both do not like our Union Business Agent. Mainly because he seems to play their stupid immature game with a slightly different set of rules and the Union has won many, many grievances due to their idiotic policies and decisions.
Example, the company fired two of three drivers for making an unauthorized stop for something to eat. The third driver was as guilty as the other two, but was not fired because he was considered a 'long time employee'. There was a fourth driver involved, but he was a trainee at the time and was not held responsible since the trainer made the decision to stop.
Due to these facts, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the fired individuals, and in fact of the arbitrator's decision, Mr. Dan Speck took away all of the privileges of the quick stops that were allowed from all of and only the Teamsters unit of labor. This included even emergency bathroom stops, let alone somthing to eat or drink.
Another item, but not necessarily in the correct order, was the fact of disconnecting the am/fm radios in all of the company trucks. A decision apparently made by Mr. Randy Pathael. Rumor has it that after hours he happened to go through some trucks at one of the plants and found that 'all' of the am/fm radios were on and the company radios were 'all' turned off. So in his most mature way of thinking, he ordered all of the am/fm radios to be disconnected.
Yet another item was the near elimination of a long standing policy of granting an unavailable day off for personal business. We are not sure which one of these geniuses came up with this one, but they are trying to force Teamster employee's to take vacation days they may have available in lieu of unavailable days off. The unavailable days are still there, but are granted sparingly. Vacation days are the first priority, forcing employee's to eat up vacation time that could have been spent doing something with their families at a later time.
Still another item was the removal of all of the driver's rooms. Nay, more acurately is the dead bolting of the doors to the driver's rooms. This has forced all of the drivers to remain outside of the building and either mill around their trucks and/or sit in their trucks the entire time they are on the clock. Eating lunch must be done either in their trucks or while standing outside in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. For those of you who don't know Phoenix very well, let us tell you that it is not unusual for the temperature to reach 115 degress in the summer and as low as 30 something in the winter.
In addition to removing the driver's rooms they also took away the use of a micro wave oven, which was used to heat lunches and the coffee machine and coffee which was a very long standing policy given to the employees as a sort of pat on the back for doing a spectacular job of making this company as sucessful as it has been, making millions of dollars over many, many years.
Not every group has been affected by these irrational, childish decisions. The operating enginees still can have their coffee and a place to sit down and eat their lunches. The mechanics still can have their coffee and a place to sit down to eat their lunches. At least they were given the option of keeping the coffee machines and purchasing their own coffee. The Teamster unit was not given the option of either coffee nor lunch room. This certainly seems like discrimination against one unit of this company.
Some of these decisions came to be before the actual purchase on January 1, 2003. However, Rinker Materials are rumored to have been involved, to some degree, prior to the purchase date. We cannot be sure, at this time, if these decisions were made by Rinker people or the two immature individuals left in charge from Peter Kiewit and left in charge by Rinker. Rinker people in Florida have not responded to any of the many invitations to meet with any of Teamster unit to discuss these morale problems. The invitation was made to have a committee of Teamsters, without the Business Agent, and without these two individuals there to iron out these issues. To date there was no reply from anyone from Rinker in Florida.
Most of us have heard that working for Rinker is a good thing. We have to wonder about that, since there has been no response for a meeting with them and leaving a couple of highly paid spoiled men with a childs retaliatory minds. We are all hoping that Rinker is just an absentee landlord, for the time being and will eventually see the wrong and the financial hurt that the lack of morale and being treated like this has done to their productivity, which translates to money lost.
We have only listed some of the injustice levied at only one group of labor within this company. Our hopes are that Rinker does some investigations into the allegations about these two individuals making the decisions to get rid of all of the dump truck fleet and then putting money into the purchase of these same trucks then leasing them back to United Metro Materials to haul the same materials that they did as United Metro Materials trucks.
The invitation is still open to anyone with authority from Rinker Materials in Florida to meet with a small committee of Teamsters to discuss these issues and anything else to stop this bull.
Any and all of this letter and the other many letters can be discussed, if only Rinker would contact us and request a meeting. Even if Rinker is behind this bull. It would certainly clear the air as to which individuals are behind this harrassment.
Bargaining unit
Phoenix, Arizona
U.S.A.
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7 Updates & Rebuttals
C
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
To Charles in Miami
#8UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, August 06, 2004
Charles;
Contact both the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the EEOC, the equal employment opportunity commission.
Thell them your story and see what they may be able to do for you.
Charles
Miami,Arizona,
U.S.A.
wrongful termination policies
#8UPDATE EX-employee responds
Wed, August 04, 2004
I worked at the globe arizona plant of united metro/aka peter kiewit.
I was an employee of Guzman Construction which was bought by united metro. In all i was an employee for 7 years.
I was driver trainer for the company and 2nd highest driver in seniority. I was also on the safety committee.
In february of 2002 I was rolling up the window in my truck due to blowing dust and a tendon going to my left thumb snapped.
I reported this to 3 different supervisors who conveniently could not find and accident report form. I was told it was probably a muscle spasm and to work it out.
the next morning i still could not move my thumb at will so i went to see my family physician. at this time i found out that the tendon had to be surgically repaired.
I contacted my employer immediately and was told that i had to attend a safety review meeting on the incident.
when all was said and done it was decided that i had not followed company policy and gone straight to the emergemcy room, that it was a preventable accident, and that men in my age group were a safety liability, (according to wesley bryant, operations manager).
I tried to explain that all i was trying to do was roll up the window in the truck and was unaware of anyway to do it differently, but to no avail.
I was terminated on the spot. The company paid for the surgery and subsequent 6 months of physical therapy to learn to move my fingers the way they are intended, and paid comp until I was released but my termination date was still on march 6, 2002.
I was told by several attorneys that I had a wrongful termination suit but with a family of 4 to support I did not have the means.
I have since heard that several employees in my age group have been terminated for the same sort of reasons.
there must be something that can be done about these practices.
Bargaining Unit
Phoenix,Delaware,
U.S.A.
Rebuttal to the rebuttal
#8Author of original report
Sun, August 10, 2003
I have read your rebuttal to the original complaint, and although I accept your right to printing your reply and comments, I must tell you this. I speak for most of the Teamsters in saying that we all are very happy that you and the likes of you are not in the brotherhood.
Point one; Yes is the answer to your first comment. The Teamsters represented in the original complaint are well aware of the contents printed. As you stated, with the exception of "just a few members getting together to snivel" many of us have gotten together to 'snivel' about the way we are all watching what used to be a great company to work for, become a form of dictatorship with two of three idiots running the show with no regard for anyone below them or their families. Our leaders 'with no backbone' have won all but one arbitration, in many years, at least the ones that was actually brought to arbitration. I just don't know how someone with no backbone could stand up that long for the basic human rights of the workmen.
Point two; We both agree on this point. All of them should have been fired. If they all had been fired then the Union would have had no case and thus would have never taken the case to begin with. Someone made a very bad decision to keep that one driver creating an unfair termination case that the company lost. I also agree with you that the bottom line to this business, and all businesses, is production. However, I urge you to check your productivity sheets and see where it went when the dictatorship chose to 'show us who is the boss'.
Point three; I can't answer for all of the plants, simply because I don't get to go to any but a couple of plants. I can answer for the couple that I do know about and that is that if the plant did not have a laborer assigned to the task of cleaning the drivers room then the drivers did make an effort to keep it clean. But, to further rebutt your statement, because apparently you don't have all of your facts straight, we did not lose the drivers rooms because of house cleaning. We lost it because on one of his trips to Florida, Randy Pathael saw that some of the outlaying plants did not have any drivers rooms. So upon his return to the valley he decided to pull one of his idiotic tactics on the Teamsters, by closing them down. By the way, this little tid bit of knowledge came from Randy and Dan at one of their meeting with some drivers. Check your facts before publishing them.
Point four; am/fm radios were in fact there before. It is called 'past practice' and they were not given back out of the goodness of their hearts, they have no hearts. They were given back because a grievance was filed and the company decided not to fight this one. So in order to settle the grievance the decision to give them back was, correctly and rightfully made. Oh, and by the way, some of the new trucks have already arrived and are being driven almost as we speak, and guess what, they are equipped with am/fm radios and the are operational. Again, get your fact straight before publishing them.
Point five; 115 degrees is hot, 100 degrees is hot, 30 degrees may be an inconvience to you, but it is cold for a lot of people, especially when hot weather dominates their lives for most of the year. However, that is not the point. The point is that although the trucks do have a/c and heaters the fact that people like you would like us to sit in our trcks from punch in to punch out is not realistic. I would invite you to get into one of the trucks and eat your lunch do all that is required without any place to do anything but 'be productive'. As for positive attitudes, the attitudes of people are directly reflective of the way they are treated. When management treats labor with little to no dignity, always looking down upon them, their attiudes will reflect that treatment.
Point six; Operators are required to take a half hour lunch break. They constantly used the break room for that activity. They now associate in another location for that break. The mechanics also are required to take a lunch break. They too have a room for that activity. The rooms that were closed were closed to the Teamsters only. Once again, check your facts before SNIVELING about things you have not researched and cannot substantiate.
Finally; When we do go to the bargaining table, I can assure you that a great deal of the proposals are being presented to address the policies that are being handed down from people like Dan Speck, Randy Pathael, and to name one other idiot, Danny Hunter. It is the tyranny that they try to put upon labor which is going to govern the bargaining that will happen at the tables this fall. The labor side of this company did, in fact, choose ready mix and aggregate as a living. Most of them chose to work for, what used to be the greatest and best company, in this business, in this state. The people in charge have since made decisions which changed this company to be among the worst to work for, for moral purposes.
Steve
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
You have forgotten some of the facts.
#8UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 04, 2003
you have faithfully put out your point of view. You have forgotten some of the facts. And you neglect to see the whole picture. First of all I wonder if the teamsters your representing have any idea of the comments you have put forth. Or is this just a few members that have gotten together to snivel about the company that feeds thier famalies. I look at your letter as nothing but a bunch of complaints and possible mis guidance. If I were a teamster which I can proudly say I am not. I would wonder if the people leading us to the bargaining table are the right bunch. I would hope that my "leaders" would have more back bone.
Second point: You bring up the famous quick stop. Where a couple guys got fired one had his hand slapped and the trainee got let off. I have always said they should have all got the axe. Make them the example . Also some people don't understand our business. Bottom line it is production. If these idiots would have followed the rules and not stopped to have a sit down breakfast. And think there would be no problem. They don't really belong in ready mix, but maybe as a OTR truck driver. Remember these quick stops are meant to be just that "QUICK". As I see it the company paid in the long run so you should be happy about that.
Third point: If you think losing the drivers rooms, candy machines, coffee, and other things are a slap in the face. You should thought about that earlier. Some rooms were such a mess with crap laying everywhere and not one driver to keep it clean. Apperantly each one of you left it up to the other guy to clean up your mess. You lost the rooms because you did not do any kind of house cleaning. In the contract the company is to supply clean water and ice. I believe they do that.
Fourth point: Radios you got them back because they were there before. The point here is that maybe some of you need to learn how to balance your radios so you can hear both. I could probably bet that the new trucks that are coming do not have am/fm radios. That is one way to get rid of them.
Fifth point: 115 degrees is hot. 30s is not cold it is an inconvenience. Trucks are well equipped with good A/C units and heaters use them. Stay by your truck and be productive. Clean your trucks and be proud of your work Your positive attitudes will show, and be infectious.
Sixth point: When have you seen an operator take a lunch break in the break room. When they report to they go about there duties all shift until there shift is complete. No sniveling, just production. As I see it we are all part a of what makes thing happen.
Please when you go to bargain keep in mind there are more things in the big picture. Just open your eyes and look around. Most of the people you work with like there job and chose ready mix for a living
Steve
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
You have forgotten some of the facts.
#8UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 04, 2003
you have faithfully put out your point of view. You have forgotten some of the facts. And you neglect to see the whole picture. First of all I wonder if the teamsters your representing have any idea of the comments you have put forth. Or is this just a few members that have gotten together to snivel about the company that feeds thier famalies. I look at your letter as nothing but a bunch of complaints and possible mis guidance. If I were a teamster which I can proudly say I am not. I would wonder if the people leading us to the bargaining table are the right bunch. I would hope that my "leaders" would have more back bone.
Second point: You bring up the famous quick stop. Where a couple guys got fired one had his hand slapped and the trainee got let off. I have always said they should have all got the axe. Make them the example . Also some people don't understand our business. Bottom line it is production. If these idiots would have followed the rules and not stopped to have a sit down breakfast. And think there would be no problem. They don't really belong in ready mix, but maybe as a OTR truck driver. Remember these quick stops are meant to be just that "QUICK". As I see it the company paid in the long run so you should be happy about that.
Third point: If you think losing the drivers rooms, candy machines, coffee, and other things are a slap in the face. You should thought about that earlier. Some rooms were such a mess with crap laying everywhere and not one driver to keep it clean. Apperantly each one of you left it up to the other guy to clean up your mess. You lost the rooms because you did not do any kind of house cleaning. In the contract the company is to supply clean water and ice. I believe they do that.
Fourth point: Radios you got them back because they were there before. The point here is that maybe some of you need to learn how to balance your radios so you can hear both. I could probably bet that the new trucks that are coming do not have am/fm radios. That is one way to get rid of them.
Fifth point: 115 degrees is hot. 30s is not cold it is an inconvenience. Trucks are well equipped with good A/C units and heaters use them. Stay by your truck and be productive. Clean your trucks and be proud of your work Your positive attitudes will show, and be infectious.
Sixth point: When have you seen an operator take a lunch break in the break room. When they report to they go about there duties all shift until there shift is complete. No sniveling, just production. As I see it we are all part a of what makes thing happen.
Please when you go to bargain keep in mind there are more things in the big picture. Just open your eyes and look around. Most of the people you work with like there job and chose ready mix for a living
Steve
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
You have forgotten some of the facts.
#8UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 04, 2003
you have faithfully put out your point of view. You have forgotten some of the facts. And you neglect to see the whole picture. First of all I wonder if the teamsters your representing have any idea of the comments you have put forth. Or is this just a few members that have gotten together to snivel about the company that feeds thier famalies. I look at your letter as nothing but a bunch of complaints and possible mis guidance. If I were a teamster which I can proudly say I am not. I would wonder if the people leading us to the bargaining table are the right bunch. I would hope that my "leaders" would have more back bone.
Second point: You bring up the famous quick stop. Where a couple guys got fired one had his hand slapped and the trainee got let off. I have always said they should have all got the axe. Make them the example . Also some people don't understand our business. Bottom line it is production. If these idiots would have followed the rules and not stopped to have a sit down breakfast. And think there would be no problem. They don't really belong in ready mix, but maybe as a OTR truck driver. Remember these quick stops are meant to be just that "QUICK". As I see it the company paid in the long run so you should be happy about that.
Third point: If you think losing the drivers rooms, candy machines, coffee, and other things are a slap in the face. You should thought about that earlier. Some rooms were such a mess with crap laying everywhere and not one driver to keep it clean. Apperantly each one of you left it up to the other guy to clean up your mess. You lost the rooms because you did not do any kind of house cleaning. In the contract the company is to supply clean water and ice. I believe they do that.
Fourth point: Radios you got them back because they were there before. The point here is that maybe some of you need to learn how to balance your radios so you can hear both. I could probably bet that the new trucks that are coming do not have am/fm radios. That is one way to get rid of them.
Fifth point: 115 degrees is hot. 30s is not cold it is an inconvenience. Trucks are well equipped with good A/C units and heaters use them. Stay by your truck and be productive. Clean your trucks and be proud of your work Your positive attitudes will show, and be infectious.
Sixth point: When have you seen an operator take a lunch break in the break room. When they report to they go about there duties all shift until there shift is complete. No sniveling, just production. As I see it we are all part a of what makes thing happen.
Please when you go to bargain keep in mind there are more things in the big picture. Just open your eyes and look around. Most of the people you work with like there job and chose ready mix for a living
Steve
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
You have forgotten some of the facts.
#8UPDATE Employee
Fri, July 04, 2003
you have faithfully put out your point of view. You have forgotten some of the facts. And you neglect to see the whole picture. First of all I wonder if the teamsters your representing have any idea of the comments you have put forth. Or is this just a few members that have gotten together to snivel about the company that feeds thier famalies. I look at your letter as nothing but a bunch of complaints and possible mis guidance. If I were a teamster which I can proudly say I am not. I would wonder if the people leading us to the bargaining table are the right bunch. I would hope that my "leaders" would have more back bone.
Second point: You bring up the famous quick stop. Where a couple guys got fired one had his hand slapped and the trainee got let off. I have always said they should have all got the axe. Make them the example . Also some people don't understand our business. Bottom line it is production. If these idiots would have followed the rules and not stopped to have a sit down breakfast. And think there would be no problem. They don't really belong in ready mix, but maybe as a OTR truck driver. Remember these quick stops are meant to be just that "QUICK". As I see it the company paid in the long run so you should be happy about that.
Third point: If you think losing the drivers rooms, candy machines, coffee, and other things are a slap in the face. You should thought about that earlier. Some rooms were such a mess with crap laying everywhere and not one driver to keep it clean. Apperantly each one of you left it up to the other guy to clean up your mess. You lost the rooms because you did not do any kind of house cleaning. In the contract the company is to supply clean water and ice. I believe they do that.
Fourth point: Radios you got them back because they were there before. The point here is that maybe some of you need to learn how to balance your radios so you can hear both. I could probably bet that the new trucks that are coming do not have am/fm radios. That is one way to get rid of them.
Fifth point: 115 degrees is hot. 30s is not cold it is an inconvenience. Trucks are well equipped with good A/C units and heaters use them. Stay by your truck and be productive. Clean your trucks and be proud of your work Your positive attitudes will show, and be infectious.
Sixth point: When have you seen an operator take a lunch break in the break room. When they report to they go about there duties all shift until there shift is complete. No sniveling, just production. As I see it we are all part a of what makes thing happen.
Please when you go to bargain keep in mind there are more things in the big picture. Just open your eyes and look around. Most of the people you work with like there job and chose ready mix for a living