More Arrow Trucking News
Categories: Trucker News
From,
Dan Little
President Owner-Operators United Inc.
Po Box 53
Carrollton, Mo. 64633
To,
All members of the Trucking Industry,
Hello,
I would like to take a moment, and reflect on issues that have appeared in the last month within the trucking industry.
As most of you already know, Oklahoma based, Arrow Trucking ceased operations and left 1400 drivers stranded across the United States. These drivers were not given any notice of the pending action, and some Were loaded that morning. Not only were drivers and employees of Arrow Trucking left holding the bag but also thousands of shippers were left with no way to locate their loads.
I feel this action has embarrassed the entire trucking industry. An industry that has always stood a cut above the rest. I have sent a letter to the Governor of Oklahoma, with a request that his office order all drivers employment records be made available to other trucking company’s that are trying to hire these Arrow drivers.
I do however have to give Arrow Trucking credit for one thing, with the above mentioned action, Arrow did manage to unite the entire industry. Company’s and drivers alike, worked hours on end, to try and get each and every Arrow driver home safe. At no time have I ever seen this kind of response, and for that I thank each of You. The Internet was ablaze with updates on Arrow drivers, Pages were set Up on Facebook, Twitter, and others.
Drivers associations such as OOU [Owner-Operators United Inc]and OOIDA [Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association] had staff Working around the clock to assist in any way they could. I did notice that the ATA [American Trucking Association] has not Spoken about Arrow Trucking anywhere.
A class action lawsuit has been filed in Oklahoma against Arrow trucking by Arrow drivers.
I hope the entire industry has learned a lesson from Arrow Trucking’s Actions. Any business can go under, but that business has a responsibility to employee’s as well as customer’s. I feel Arrow violated the Federal Warn Act. But that is up to the courts.
Again, I would like to thank each and every member of the trucking industry that stepped up to help these people when they needed it the most.
Sincerely,
Dan Little
Owner-Operators United Inc.
Comments
Being a wife of a driver< my heart went out to every driver Arrow had on payroll. Being from Tulsa Oklahoma the embarrassment was be yond words. I thank you for the kind words you spoke to each driver in the industry who managed to help these drivers get home. Arrow not only hurt these drivers but most of all the families of these drivers. Especially the ones who has children still at home. Not to mention here at the holidays. I hope the OWNERS OF ARROW GET THE PAYBACK THEY SO DESERVE...This is so sad isn't it....
Posted by
Bonnie Phillips
on December 31, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Thank You Dan for making this post. There has been an amazing collaboration within Social Media that helped this story get the attention it would not have had in years prior.
Still it was not enough to ease the brunt of what these former Arrow Employees will endure now trying to transition through this difficult time.
It is a disgrace that the ATA made no mention of what Arrow did to these people yet fleet Owner Magazine had articles with hours noting the impact of Social Media from the constant chatter of individuals on twitter & facebook.
The endeavor has not been smooth but this is uncharted territory. The Ex-Arrow Drivers on facebook have been woking hard to verify scammers & help fellow workers also. Formerly of Arrow, Donna Creekhouse & Efficient Multi-Taser Dana Stanely stay up all hours thru Chrismas witth other Arrow Driver who volunteered to help get others home. Many do not have computer skills & didn't know where to start to pick up the pieces. They have had a number of "bum steers" trying to sort through all the information. I encourage anyone who can help these Arrow folks directly to friend them on Facebook where they have been trying get assistance for each other & get direct access to other services now that they've made it home.
Posted by
Desiree
on December 31, 2009 at 8:00 PM
As an ex Arrow driver I am amazed at the assistance and the dedication that our co-workers, other truckers, and others not even involved with trucking have shown to helping us!!! It helped to ease the sting of the collapse of a very close knit family we had at the company.
Posted by
Jenn Cruthis-Sampey
on December 31, 2009 at 8:33 PM
Good luck to everyone involved here, great to see people can still pull together!
Posted by
TruckerJim
on January 1, 2010 at 10:52 AM
I have to apploade each and every driver who stuck it out at arrow even though they knew the end may be coming , the company however should have shared more to there drivers/employees about how close it really was . Good luck to all the drivers/employees of the former arrow co. .
Posted by
1-800-bigtruck
on January 1, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Great points Sandra, Thanks for the encouraging words!
Posted by
TruckerJim
on January 5, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Companies have a duty to notify their employees so those employees can prepare for the worst, and maybe even help them find their next job as well.
Posted by
lonemountaintruck
on April 17, 2010 at 10:22 PM
Back several years ago I agreed to buy some trucks from Arrow Trucking. They were represented to be in good shape but after flying out to see them I learned they had some problems and the company wasn't going to fix them. Needless to say I was dissapointed and frustrated. So much of what we do in my business relies on people being honest and straight forward. When people aren't honest it makes doing business a lot harder than it should be but still God takes care of us. I worked for a company that failed after putting in 10 years dedication and it's tough. I feel for all the unemployed as a result of Arrow Trucking shutting it's doors but believe that there may be something better just around the corner for them. In this time of recession I have noticed that many of the companies that have gone under were ones who didn't seem to treat people all that well.
Posted by
Steve Herring
on June 29, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Treat thy neighbor well! It's not too hard to do but unprofitable for the greedy!
Posted by
TruckerJim
on June 29, 2010 at 10:52 AM
