Comments on: Help Wanted: Peter Pan Delivery Drivers

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:13:14 +0000

Oh James…with all due respect, you might want to make sure that you have your facts straight before staking a run for an assemblyman. First, FedEx Kinko’s has NEVER turned a profit. When it was just Kinko’s, they did in fact turn a profit. Nevertheless, it was Fred Smith’s mistake of paying $1B for it–it was never worth that much. As for UPS Stores (or Mailboxes, Etc.), they are all independent franchises–a much smarter business model with streamlined services. Moreover, take a look at the latest w/ eight AG’s going after FedEx’s owner-operator model. Bottom line: Those who operate the trucks lose (no benefits, workmen’s comp insurance, UI, employee protection laws); States lose (UI, State payroll taxes, etc); Feds lose (Taxes) and so on.
I am an HR professional who isn’t so much pro-union, but I certainly am for parity amongst two exact businesses when it comes to laws.

By: CM

CM — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:02:33 +0000

James – your actually off base here. This has nothing to do with the Fedex Ground drivers, only the Fedex Express drivers that are covered under the RLA. The Fedex ground units are currently goverened under the NLRA. Yes, you read that correctly and let me repeat that that:

The fedex ground drivers are currently governed by the NLRA not the RLA

By: Eddie Nogoy

Eddie Nogoy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:03:45 +0000

Why not let the FEDEX drivers vote on the issue ? They must have their say because it’s their livelihood that’s being decided upon. Same work should be governed by the same law.

By: Keith Helms

Keith Helms — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:03:09 +0000

If this reallt is’nt about unionization why not move ups to to the rla instead of the other way around. Problem solved

By: FedEx 4 Life

FedEx 4 Life — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:28:37 +0000

The point is simple: Customers pay FedEx Express to ship their packages from point A to B – point B being the ultimate destination. You’ve outlined a great business plan for the next generation passenger airline. : )

By: Phil Jordan

Phil Jordan — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:37:05 +0000

James, just to clarify – UPS purchased Mail Boxes Etc. (now The UPS Store) BEFORE FedEx purchased Kinkos. Also, FedEx Kinkos (now FedEx Office) has never made a profit – you can check their 10K and annual statements online. As of the last operating quarter they’ve bled just over $1 billion (yes, with a “b”). That’s not 4Q 2008. That’s the last fiscal year. You want to really do some fun research, compare FedEx and UPS’s financials. Balance sheets, credit ratings, debt to earnings, etc. FedEx is leveraged to the hilt.

By: James Moore

James Moore — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:26:34 +0000

I like the fact that you’re able to hyperlink your response to your past articles, very helpful.
I agree Fedex needs to operate like an employer or contractor but should not blur the lines and be allowed to wander the line. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. I do respect Fedex’s right to operate as a contractor and subcontract the delivery to independent contractors. It’s no different than what the USPS does with mail routes in rural areas of the country. Fedex drivers are more like franchisees than independent contractors. Under the guidelines spelled out by the IRS there are many franchisee businesses that treat their franchisees more like employees than “owners”.
Who didn’t lose money in the 4Qtr of last year? Personally I would have never bought Kinko’s. All someone has to do is go into one and try and find someone that knows what the heck they are doing. I think the people working in Kinko’s would be better off offering tattoo’s and piercings than printing and copies. Joking aside, the Fedex stores have been successful and proof of that is UPS purchase of Mailbox Etc.
I am interested in running for state assembly where should I start?

By: chuckmuth

chuckmuth — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:09:33 +0000

Actually, I'm VERY well aware of FedEx's abuse of the independent contractor law and wrote about it over a year ago. You can check it out HERE and HERE. And considering all the red ink FedEx is bleeding over at FedEx/Kinkos, I'm not so sure you want to be using that as an example of business genius.

By: DGHarrison

DGHarrison — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:52:12 +0000

All the reasons why FedEx should be dumped from the RLA notwithstanding, I still support any company that has the balls to thumb their noses at unions. On the other hand, FedEx’s cozy relationship with the U.S. Postal Service is, for me, a major strike against them. I believe it is an unfair advantage that FedEx is able to operate from inside USPS facilities. Odd, too, that an non union operation is even allowed access to facilities operated by one of the biggest unions in the country.

By: James Moore

James Moore — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:17:12 +0000

Something you failed to mention was Fedex ground drivers are actually independent contractors not employee’s. Fedex ground, formally RPS, have allows been a company that paid their drivers as independents. They each own their own truck and their contract is based on the numbers of packages they deliver. This was never a problem for UPS when the company was called RPS because there was no name recognition. That is one of the primary purposed behind Fedex acquiring the business. Frankly UPS has been getting their butts kicked while Fedex continues to expand their business. Kinko’s/Fedex is another example of this expansion. Maybe it’s time for UPS to think outside the brown box. I am not a Fedex employee or contractor.