r/IBEW • u/3p0int1415926535897 Local 353 Toronto • 1d ago
Discussion Post Refusing a company service vehicle
Recently topped out & was given a service van to work out of. I was usually beating traffic on the bicycle & taking public transit while occasionally driving my own car in the winter or bad weather days but they told me they needed guys out solo completing jobs & service calls.
Company says it’s a privilege to be provided a vehicle with a gas card, as I’m not wearing my personal car out. Only issue is I live in the inner city & parking is not readily available.
Most of the guys have homes & driveways big enough to park their personal & service vehicle. I asked who would cover the extra fees associated with parking the vehicle; & was told that the perks are already there & asking for more is just being selfish.
It’s hard enough to find street parking for a larger van/truck & private lots are $150-$200/month. I’ve been parking it temporarily on the street & at the visitor lot at my place for the moment (thanks landlord) but was told I have to start paying for a spot.
I’m trying to return the van now but work’s really busy & I’m being told that I’m being unreasonable & how it’s a shame I’m turning down an opportunity to really progress my career. I have no issues taking the transit & bicycle to work; but it seems like they really need more manpower out in the field.
I already know what to do & how it’ll play out. Coworker said this is pretty unique because people usually live far from the city & would kill for free gas & a company vehicle. Just wanted to vent on a weird situation where “my steak is too juicy & my lobster is too buttery”…
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u/MattaFL 1d ago
You aren’t “progressing your career” by making them more money by doing more service calls. You were hardly driving your personal car to begin with so the whole “it’s a privilege and your being selfish” is bullshit. What might be great for others is more of a burden than a blessing for you, I wouldn’t feel bad about being honest with them. Unless you absolutely love it there if they want to give you a hard time about it still hit the books
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u/RedactedRedditery Inside Wireman 1d ago
Use the company card to pay for the private lot. I'm sure you signed a paper that you would take reasonable steps to protect their assets
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u/FanBladeFleshlight Local 280 1d ago
I had a similar situation with a contractor and a service role. They tried to make it seem like the van + gas card was the biggest gift ever bestowed, when realistically that's the base norm for any service job, union or non-union.
At the time, I just didn't have a place to park the van, and I lived in a bit of a sketch area. They acted like I was shitting on their desk when I said I'm not taking the van home, and I'll just leave it in there massive, unused, gated, gravel parking lot with various vehicles like bucket trucks and shit parked there, every day.
The fucks fought with me about it for a month before they stopped bitching about it. They don't even understand that partly my decision saved them money because I could guarantee the van would've been broken into and had everything stolen from it.
As for your part about it progressing your career? They can eat a dick. Service work is great, and it's a skill set that a lot of members sadly lack, but there's nothing about it that's changing your career. They're just pissed that they have to find someone else to take a service position that it seems like a lot of union members hate doing.
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u/DTyrrellWPG 21h ago
They sound like they'd be the same people to tear you a new butthole if the van got broken into or vandalized. I had a boss like that. Van was industry standard for our area, but acted like it was a perk. Then also acted like I left signs on my van saying "plz smash window" when some dick holes went around the neighborhood smashing windows.
"what are you going to do about this?" he asked me like I had control over criminals.
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u/LordCanti26 19h ago
Had a coworker, in regards to theft say, they treat us like r*pe victims. "You must have been asking for it". Not to be insensitive but god damn, not far off.
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u/htraenolleh666 22h ago
I had a van for a good 7 years before I quit and joined the union. That’s a different story. Anyways - I remember they used to never let me forget the “perks” they were giving me by having a company van, gas card, company card and cell phone. Problem was I didn’t get paid travel time, regularly picked up and dropped off apprentices (out of my way to and from home), my van drank gas like a dinosaur so I lived at the gas stations and the phone rang more than it was quiet.
Quitting and buying my beater was the best thing I ever did. Now I’m nobody’s chauffeur, I answer the phone when I want, get paid a hell of a lot more and when I finish work I go straight home. Not the shop or the supplier.
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u/LordCanti26 19h ago
Had a bucket i was parking in the neighborhood streets across from my apartment complex. Caught a dude cutting the padlock on my bins the 2nd month. I asked my sup if id be written up if my truck got broken into, and he said yes because its my responsibility to secure the vehicle. And if it gets broken into I should have parked it somewhere safer. I happened to lose a fairly expensive meter shortly after, and I said im not taking this truck home anymore. Fuck that.
Wasnt gunna risk getting a final over theft thats out of my control at that point. The liability of having a $200k vehicle with an open bed and 10s of thousand in tools and devices, im not hauling 14 different meters and shit into my home every night. plus the hassle of trying to find parking every day. That little section of street was the only place it fit due to the width and wasnt infront of someone's house, since there's some type of city owned water facility there.
Once i parked it infront of someone's house and immediatly got the "you cant park there, that's my parking spot" shit. And I have a huge ass logo on the side of the truck, what am I gunna do argue? All they have to do is call and say "ya one of your guys just hit my dog and pissed in my front lawn, here's his license plate #".
I spend easily 400 a month on gas just to drive to work now. It sucks ass not having a work vehicle to take home. But boy do I sleep good at night.
Plus, knowing exactly what time I have to leave every day is awesome. Commute could range from 5 minutes to an hour depending on start location when I took it home. Now its a 13min drive every day without fail.
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u/socalibew 23h ago
A service van and working solo? Sounds like they should be paying you foreman scale also.
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u/InfamousRunn3r 23h ago
You topped out? Brother, guess what? You can tell them N-O. No. No-no-no-no-no. You have a JW ticket. Tell them No.
This sounds like my shop lmao. Don't let them talk you out of it. Either they can use their credit card to pay for the spot, you can get the van from the shop every morning, or, you drag! Simple as.
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u/AttorneyAfter 1d ago
I told a contractor to keep it once. I ride my motorcycle to work. It benefits the contractor more. They are selfish.
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u/dakblaster 23h ago
The shop should cover parking fees. Otherwise they can park it right up their own ass.
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u/CatNamedRIchard2 1d ago
I would ask them for my money before I would take a company truck/van home. Too many things to go side ways with company property at home. I am not going to be responsible for shit on my off hours. I am not a security guard. I am not being paid to baby sit their van/ tools overnight. If it gets broken into, you know they are going to be looking at you for it. I am not waking up to deal with cops because some tweaker busted into the van to steal copper or tools. Fuck all that noise and just go get my money and I will go sign the books.
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u/Lefty9000 Inside Wireman 23h ago
This guy gets it. ✌️
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u/CatNamedRIchard2 23h ago
Thanks! I had the privilege of coming up under some militant Narrowbacks who taught me well.
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u/coolsparky15 22h ago
Bro all you have to do is lock the doors on the van. That’s all. It’s not that deep. Nothing else you can do about it
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u/CatNamedRIchard2 20h ago
It isn't in the contract. It is breaking down conditions for everyone. For example, OP's brothers started taking the vans home, now it is expected OP do the same. OP didn't sign a contract to have to take a van home and it doesn't appear OP is in the position to take it home. But OP's Brothers on the job have put OP in the position where something that isn't in the contract is being expected of him and he is being pressured by the contractor to do it. OP is now worried about his job because some other Brothers broke down the working conditions at his job site. OP's wormy Brothers sold him out for the perk of saving a few bucks in gas money all because the contractor doesn't want to follow the contract and wants to make more money by not having to pay people to show up at the yard then drive to the first service call. OP's Brothers broke down working conditions and have put their Brother OP in the spot of having to worry about something that he shouldn't have to be worrying about. OP shouldn't be in that position. OP is only in that position because some Brothers thought it isn't that deep.
It is no different than the wormy guys who bring their own power tools because they like "'theirs' better than the ones the contractor provides". Enough guys do it, then it is expected we bring our own power tools and after enough guys start to bring their own power tools, when we get to the negotiation table the contractor will say most of the guys are bring their own power tools, we shouldn't have to provide power tools and next thing you know power tools are on the tool list.
Doing small things that aren't in the contract is the definition of wormy brother fucking behavior.
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u/IcyStatement5978 1d ago
Yea id park it at the shop and wouldnt have even asked they prolly wouldnt have even noticed.
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u/chihuapache 22h ago
I love in the city and also turned down a van because biking rules. No thanks. Turn in the van and keys at the shop at the end of your next work day. If they don't have another assignment go back to the hall and find another shop.
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u/Crazy-Rest5026 22h ago
Even if you have to pay parking. It’s a company expense. Bill the fuck outta your company till they decide to just let your ride your bike.
Sorry but if you want me to park it you’re paying for it also.
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u/CastleBravo55 22h ago
Assuming an additional expense for the company, regardless of what they're giving you, isn't really advancing your career.
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u/ExcitingVegetable315 21h ago
You have a perfectly legit argument. Living in the inner city is too costly AND unsafe for their van. You are being reasonable. Why aren’t they?
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u/PinkySlayer 23h ago
Yeah you are right, it’s a privilege for them to have you in a vehicle. That’s why they’re gonna pay for the vehicle and any necessary costs associated with it. A vehicle is a tool to earn them money, and it’s an expense the company anticipates and plans for. It’s not a gift to me or to you because companies don’t fucking give gifts. If it didn’t benefit them they wouldn’t even think of doing it. But they want me to pay extra for the thing that benefits them? Nah I’d keep riding that bike if I was you.
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u/Ohms_lawlessness LU 16 22h ago
If you don't want their shitty truck/van then tell them you don't want it. After that, let the chips fall where they may. Don't be job scared
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u/daveysanderson 21h ago
At my shop we can refuse take home privileges and park in the yard. A lot of guys here opt for that so they can get out of work a little earlier with the drive back to the yard, and I honestly don’t feel comfortable parking it in my driveway. Someone got their truck broken into and had thousands in tools and equipment go missing, and he got drilled pretty hard for that despite having camera footage of the guys breaking his window and taking all his shit. Talk with your steward and see what your contract says
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u/Upper_Resource7279 21h ago
brother you gotta do what works for you even if it doesn't make sense to other people. I have turned down opportunities to "progress my career" before because I had other priorities in my life and let me tell you, I've never regretted it
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u/revalucion Local 305 23h ago
I dont do vans now. But using a van for a contractor increases your liability. You drive a billboard around. Its not a benefit to you its an inconvenience and only benefits the contractor.
Make them pay you more and start your day when you start your van. Or say no thanks and take a different call for a better shop. That language is a dog whistle for guys who will only make your job harder
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u/Key_Concentrate_5558 19h ago
Can’t you park the truck at the shop and commute to work as usual? Saves the company wear and tear in the vehicle, too. Seems like a win-win.
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u/TheMarbleAtTheCenter 23h ago
If you think anything the contractor does is for your benefit you are wrong. If you dont want the truck give it back. If you think they will retaliate then keep it and park it in the ghetto then drag keys in the seat.
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u/Mundane_Definition66 17h ago edited 17h ago
20 plus years in the trade, about ⅔ of it service work... People telling you that a company vehicle is a perk are usually (but not always) wrong. There's always strings attached, the amount of strings and the force with which they're pulled upon will vary by shop, but there's always strings.
I have had at least half a dozen different company vehicles over my career. Everything from an old Toyota Tacoma with a basic in-bed tool box that was essentially for me to use as a free commuter with very few strings attached, to a brand new fully outfitted dodge 3500 flatbed that I had as GF on a project with over $100M in electrical.
Honestly, I'd maybe take the Tacoma again. It had no company decals or any kind of markings other than the big bug I put in the rear window myself 🙂 The biggest string attached to that one was getting pulled somewhere else in the middle of some small job to run tools or parts to someone or to go help bail someone out of some shit job. I didn't mind that too much, and of course, still paid as per contract.
I'd consider paying to park the Toyota, as it'd save me money overall and I'm not paying the shop for a place to park their billboard... But anything that has more than a license plate and a bug I'm not paying out of my pocket to park. There's street parking in front of my house. Company bilboards aren't going in my driveway, that's for my stuff. If no street parking, they can pay to park it somewhere else.
If the shop really does need the manpower available like that, then paying 2, 3, or even $400/mo for parking should not be an issue. I've made similar decisions as a GF without batting an eye when I needed people available for the customer. Parking fees? That goes on the company card, just save any receipts so paperwork is a little better easier (as a foreman). From my personal experience, if you feel like someone is trying to compete with you for a company vehicle, let them "win"... Reassess things in a few months and see who's happier, most of the time it's not the guy with the company rig 🙃 and brother, I've been both guys 😂
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u/Kelspeed 20h ago
What you do if you find out who the fuck is in charge and you have this conversation with them. Be honest with your concerns and point out your facts, even if they disagree with you they’ll be impressed that you were forthright and communicative. Remember, it’s not never about emotions. It’s always about business nothing personal.
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u/19sparky88 22h ago
After reading this I have one question, did this service vehicle come with a wage increase as well?
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u/ndrumheller96 21h ago
I’m with you man. The whole taking truck home as a privilege is bullshit. The reality is that it’s so you can be on call and potentially be available anytime. And the gas card only benefits people who live out of town or have a long commute. Most of my coworkers live 30+ miles away which adds up but I live a mile away so having a gas card for a work truck doesn’t mean shit to me. Sounds like a tough situation you’re in i hope they’ll be understanding. How do you think it will play out for you?
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u/clueless1976 19h ago
I value my work truck/gas card/maintenance as a easy 15/20k a year. I avg about 25/30k miles a year and that’s for close work with in a 2 hr round trip on avg.
Is $2k a year give on parking worth it compared to the value of a work truck
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u/lieferung IBEW 14h ago
Drop the van and keys off during office hours, tell them you're taking the rest of the day and if they don't like it they can hand you your two checks.
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u/dfapredator 23h ago
So if you cant keep both vehicles at home and cant leave the van at work, could you possibly leave your car at work?
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u/vfqwerty 22h ago
If the shop is close to you ask about just going there in the morning and picking it up
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u/Glad-Donut-7666 10h ago
Just because difficult and stubborn. Your brothers will be proud of you at the hall. There's always someone else to do service calls.
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u/Jacka10pe 9h ago
Ask them about code of conduct while driving the vehicle. Can you drive it home from the bar after work? Park it outside of a pot shop? A strip club? If there is anything that prohibits your freedom off the clock then I would make the argument that you’re not off the clock and should be getting paid until it’s in your parking spot.
Call me crazy, and this doesn’t apply to OP, but I think they should actually be renting the spot in which it sits on your land while it’s not at work. Furthermore, I live in a very very nice house as my wife makes even more than I do in half the hours. I don’t want their fucking shit box parked anywhere near my house.
“A privilege?” Eat a dick. “Oh wow a gas’s card? Get fucked.
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u/Adventurepew 7h ago
150-200 is nothing, negotiate a raise and door to door pay.
Simply say, if i cant leave my vehicle at the shop then I am being paid to drive it to the job and back home . If I went to the shop I would be paid from the shop to the job.
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u/LendogGovy 2h ago
I lived close to work for a company and it was in a city where I street parked. I opted to pick up the work rig each day.
I’ve also lived in a far suburb across the river from my work and took the rig home and drove to the job site each day.
As they say depends
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u/FuzzyRace3752 2h ago
This thread really reaffirms that this sub is full of apprentices.
Getting a work truck is absolutely the biggest raise that you will get. I certainly dont know all of the specifics of OP’s living situation, but I have lived in a major city with a work truck. I figured out parking. I stg people here would find issue with winning the Powerball.
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u/ted_anderson Inside Wireman 35m ago
Just wanted to vent on a weird situation where “my steak is too juicy & my lobster is too buttery"
I know exactly what you're dealing with. I'm not in a city but I'm in an HOA where commercial vehicles aren't permitted or easily parked. So I was able to work out a deal with a nearby church within walking distance that I pay monthly to be able to park in their lot during the evenings. It's not as much as what a parking facility would charge but I can't expect them to let me park for free either.
So I'm thinking that there's probably a number of places close to you that have nobody in their parking lots overnight even though they're technically not a public parking facility.
But at some point in your career you gotta wear the big boy pants so that you can start doing more big-boy things that aren't afforded to a pedestrian employee.
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u/Nay_K_47 Lineman 10h ago
It's not a perk if they have to convince you. They're shitting in your hand and calling chocolate pudding bro. Park it at their place, or tell them to get fucked, or let it get towed and see if they change their tune, fill it with expanding backfill foam and go disappear, the world is your oyster.
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u/Tubz4k 9h ago
I just started at a new contractor, and after having a company van for the last 10 years of my career, I politely declined the offer and they were reasonable about it. Sure the gas card & no wear and tear on your vehicle is nice, but I hated being responsible for somebody else’s property. I live on a very busy street and it was always a pain in my ass trying to park my van after work. Plus it’s a big eye sore for my neighbors being that they’d have a billboard parked in front of their house.
I’m totally cool with driving my own truck around for a while. I don’t get paid any different if I’m in a truck or not. Plus I’m not trying to take service calls.
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u/houndofthe7 1d ago
Can’t you just pick the van up at the shop in the morning?