I want to start out this post as saying that one, i believe in trying to have workers rights, less work, more pay and the basis of what anti work is about… And two, this is something thats been on my mind for a while and might be a bit long.
So I am a trucker. I have had my CDL for about 6 to 7 years now, have worked with 4 companies doing all types of trucking jobs, for all kinds of pay in all situations….etc, you get the point.
I enjoy my work. I feel i have to say that. It was the first time that i felt accepted in “normal” society (im of the mind that most truckers are the weirdos of the weirdos), and enjoy the friendships and work that i do and have created along the way.
I also understand that a lot of people are underpaid, underappreciated and there needs to be a hell of a lot more checks and balances in work/home life balance. A ton of drivers also believe that trucking is a lifestyle; and it very well can be. The being gone all the time, the specific things you face over the road, trucking is an industry and a job that i believe is unique.
Now here is my issue/problem/conundrum that i have recently experienced.
I had an airbag on the back of my truck break. There was a giant hole in it, and due to a lot of the regulations that truckers face, i HAD to get it fixed. Normally this wouldnt be an issue. I go to a shop, let the guys know, they tell me where to go and what to do, my truck gets fixed, everything works out and i get back on the road.
But this time it was different. They had three workers on Saturday night after the day shift left. One guy was there doing tires and light mechanical (think oil changes as long as they have the equipment), one guy was a floater (did road calla, swept up, changed light bulbs), and the other was on light duty due to an injury.
My truck could have been fixed by the first guy. He was told to fix it by the third guy who was defacto boss even though no manager was on duty. But first guy told him straight up that he doesnt get paid to do that, so he wasnt doing it.
Now, this is literally what anti work is about. You do the job you are paid to do, nothing more and nothing less. But now i was stuck there from 2pm Saturday until 9pm tonight due to parts issues, other jobs coming in and out, and a piece of equipment at the shop breaking.
My point is that he could have done the work. I was told he was a week away from being able to do the job anyway. But he decided to risk his employment because of a technicality.
So where do people draw the line? In an environment like this, hard work and going above and beyond is looked upon with favor. Ive seen it happen a lot over the years driving truck and utilizing the same shops for tire blow outs and other mechanical issues. I once watched a guy go from sweeping floors to being a manager in two years. But, where do you draw the line? Do you continue to root for people who say im not paid to do that, when in all actuality thats hurting a lot of customers and the general supply chain (i wasnt the only truck that got screwed out of work needing to be done), or do you get onto them for not working because its causing a lot of issues across the board and it really does look like someone is just too lazy to work (dude could have worked on my truck but spent 9 hours sweeping, mopping, yelling at the two other guys, and being an overall Assholes to everyone including other drivers)?
I am having issues with this because i want to believe in what this subreddit is about. I really do. I want unions. I want good, PROPER pay for everyone everywhere. Good benefits (i want actual universal healthcare and universal income). I want these things. I actively piss people off when i talk to them and “turn them to the dark side”… But when im faced with a situation like this… It throws this mentality and thought process a wrench into the proverbial gears and makes me frown.
So id like some perspective please. If you have read the whole thing, thank you. If not.. Thanks anyway and please be kind.
Im also not sure of how to word a TLDR that would have things come across correctly… TLDR believe in antiwork ideas themes and beliefs, but when im faced with a worker who really does seem like he is lazy and doesnt want to work because hes not paid for that, and its really messed up the entire system.. What do?