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Southern Refrigerated Transport SRT has cost me my livelyhood due to their lies and selfrighteous attitude Texarkana Arkansas
On july of 2005 my wife and I applied for a team position with SRT,but, during the orientation I heard things from the safety speaker Tim, saying negative things that did not set well with me such as his referring to women drivers as the weaker part of a team and that they cannot seem to pull their weight and our home time was 'whenever' that was not what was said during our phone interview also loads were not real strong for teams but will give us as much as they could,because most loads were for solo drivers only,thats when I decided not to take the job but my wife stayed on due the fact we needed an income soon and thought maybe things might change or be to bad, of course that was a myth, also I never even took a driving test only a UA test, before the results came back I had already informed them I was out and only my wife would be driving...the next day I went with my wife to the orientation for support..when this woman with bushy hair who was part of the safety team called me into her office and proceeded to tell me my test came back positive of course I was shocked, Now I have been driving for close to 30yrs and never even once had a problem with someone accusing me of taking drugs or alcohol something Im strongly against in this business, I asked why didn't the MRO call me as required by law and talk to me.. she laughed and said well let me call him for you she got the MRO on the phone and he said 'well there is such a small amount of mariquana in your sytem what have you been taking'? I said I don't know what your talking about and he said whatever and hung up on me..without letting me say anything..I didn't think they would try to destroy my life because I decided not to drive for them..
After orientation I left and went back home where I took a solo position with MCKelvey Trucking that same week and drove for them for over a year.
During that time my wife got a truck that was not safety checked and almost cost her her life as the truck she had was missing a motor mount causing the motor to shift forward and slam into the fan and airconditioner it was found out that SRT had not checked her truck out for safety[this was proven by freightliner] she drove for 2months during such time she got home one time where her truck broke down again 2mi after she left home. After 3weeks she requested home time they refused her so she gave notice that was only part of why she quit the rest was lack of pay on time, long layovers till next load and constant truck problems.
In 2006 my wife bought a truck and we teamed drove for up till last April 2008 due to fuel prices we decided to give up the truck, with prices coming down on fuel I decided to get another truck but SRT put on my DAC from 3years ago saying I had drugs in my system how can that be when during that time twice I had taken a drug test and had no problems, I called DAC who said this was recently added now I have no idea how to get this off my record and what is SRT's intention anyway?? I never even got into one of their trucks, I've tried to call them for an answer but they refuse to talk to me,I can't afford a lawyer I need to work and this has ruined my reputation. and cost me my livelyhood as a truck driver.
I'ver heard some bad things about SRT now I guess they are true and I do not recommend this company to any driver looking for a steady long term job.
roger
Golden Valley, Arizona
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
woncbitten
Mesa,Arizona,
I had much of the same..
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, May 22, 2014
I couldn't believe your story almost matches mine to a "t". The recruiter promised Regional position but at orientation, they had me down for OTR. They wouldn't correct it, said they didn't have any regional positions open. That along with information on policies and fees I would have to pay (ex: Prepass), I decided SRT wasn't for me.
While waiting for my bus ticket back home, I received call from the MRO telling me I tested positive. I told him that was impossible because I do not use drugs. He said I could have split specimen tested but SRT would make me pay the fee of $180. I told him I would speak to SRT about it and advise. When I spoke with SRT and told them I wanted retested but could not afford the fee, I was told "Oh well". I had several SRT drivers tell me after that, out of every orientation 2 people will fail drug test. Quite a racket I'd say.
I researched FMCSA Title 49: Subpart H 40.173. The employer must ensure that the test takes place in a timely manner, even though this means they pay for it.
I returned home and accepted employment with another company. After doing background check, they called to tell me SRT was listed as previous employer. I told them I never worked for them and would call SRT to have them correct record. I spoke with Kathy Malone/Safety who said she couldn't find that I ever worked for them and would remove it.
A couple days before I was to attend orientation for new job, they called to tell me that Kathy Malone just sent fax to them telling them I tested positive for drugs. She sent this on her own without a signed release from me, which is a big "No No". I had to request my DAC Report to find out what was showing, filed a dispute and wait. SRT corrected employment part but that was all.
I called Kathy Malone and confronted her about releasing information about me without signed release-she said she would research and get back to me. She called back and said she did have a signed release-I told her that's not signed by me because I had the blank release in my possession. I told her I wanted a copy emailed to me so she transferred me to HR. Dina/HR said it has my "Electronic" signature and it's their property so if I want a copy, I would need to get a lawyer and have a subpeona.
Title 49: Subpart P 40.321 (b) "Specific written consent" means a statement signed by person that he or she agrees to a release of a particular piece of information to a particular, explicitly identified, person at that particular time. "Blanket releases" are prohibited under this part.
Even though I keep records of "Everything", this is going to be a battle but I am going to hire a lawyer. I haven't been able to get a driving job since, which is costly me dearly and WILL cost them. This company and their practices needs to be stopped.