Benn
Eleva,#2Consumer Comment
Tue, April 28, 2009
As a public stock offering company, it is NOT wise for an employee to publish remarks about the company health (this case the health of freight movement) on any open-viewed website. This shows possible or current investors of shares that the company has some financial (or future) financial issues that may or may not effect the stock value in the future. I do not know your position with the company but never less, I do not believe you are allowed to discuss such issues with anyone. (I do remember that in orientation they hand out a few pages on this issue, and violations of such are subject to termination). So my suggestion is NEVER discuss company internal issues (such as the health of freight movement) as you posted here, and see if the operators will remove your posting from this site due to violations of your employment contract. Just my suggestion. Do what you wish with it.
Deborah
Chino,#3UPDATE Employee
Thu, April 16, 2009
Like many companies, Marten has lost business due to the economic downturn. However, there are a couple of things: Generally, as a rule, Marten requires drivers on regional or dedicated fleets to live within a certain radius of either the terminal assigned to (regional) or the primary customer (dedicated). They might make exceptions, but they are very rare. When the economy took a huge dump, freight went away. People can't buy things if they don't have money, at least not anymore. People don't buy things, then there is nothing for you to haul, it's pretty simple. I'm sure that you are learning that right now, as trucker jobs are getting real scarce, and pay is dropping at most companies right now. You were given OTR runs in an effort to give you some sort of work, until things picked up. The whole company is hurting right now, as is the whole industry. As for Marten's policy of zero accidents to remain employed, that applies to drivers with 12 months or less at the company. The rest are based upon a point system, the seriousness of the accident, etc. The reason for this is that too many new hires were wrecking new rigs, killing and injuring people along the way. The companies safety record determines the quality of freight and the income from it, and our safety record went into the toilet in 2007 because of the sheer numbers of wrecks and log violations by drivers with less than 12 months with the company. Marten isn't for everyone, no company is. Hopefully you will be able to find a company that is a good fit for you soon, especially in this tough job market.