Georgette Tillman sent a message to Robert E. Sanchez – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ryder System, Inc. – Email Address that said:
Dear Mr. Sanchez -
My name is Georgette . I have been employed by Ryder Systems as a CDL driver at the Piscataway, NJ location since August 2015.
I was very excited initially to be given the opportunity to work at Ryder - I enjoy interacting with my coworkers, clients and being outdoors in the fresh air. Although the job had a few growing pains due to the Verizon strike (we handle all the Final Mile freight for Verizon's account), we somehow muddled through together and have since smoothed over a lot of the rough patches. I still like my job, I perform it with enthusiasm and vigor each day I report, and hope to remain for many years to come.
However, I have an issue. Some months ago (approx Sept 2015), I realized that I was being paid $2.00 less per hour than my colleagues for performing the same work. I bought this to the attention of three superiors who are attached to our account and location (Belinda Jordan, Dave Brinjac, and Drew Clark). All three assured me they would look into the matter. After a few months of no activity in the matter, Mr. Brinjac said that I would need to take the Class A road test in order to receive the higher rate. I have an issue with this for several reasons:
1.) I already took the Class A road test on my date of hire (along with a Class B road test). I was not told by the instructor there was any problem with my test, as further evidenced by my actual hire. No other driver was asked to re-test, so I was puzzled by this request. I also on several occasions was required by my dispatchers to fuel-up Class A vehicles in the yard. This obviously required me to drive several tandem vehicles to the actual fueling station (approx 5-6 miles from our hub). I was not required to retest, when it suited the companys agenda, again I ask, why shouldnt I be eligible to receive the Class A rate all the other Class A licensed drivers were and are receiving?
2.) I hold a Class A CDL license. I always have. I have never held a lower commercial license. Although Ryder provides me a Class B vehicle to operate, this should have no effect on my rate of pay, as Ryder has many other drivers at this location who hold Class A licenses, yet operate Class B vehicles on a routine basis - these drivers have always been paid the Class A top rate. Why is that condition not extended to myself? I am performing the exact same work as my coworkers who are receiving the top rate.
3.) My first paycheck with Ryder reflected the then Class A pay rate of $22 hourly (currently $23 hourly, due to a night differential being implemented in Feb 2016). After the first pay cycle, my pay rate was reduced to $20 hourly (currently $21 hourly), and has remained reduced by $2.00 hourly since then.
On or about January 8, 2016, I filed a complaint with the NJ Division of Civil Rights, as I didnt feel the supervisors with knowledge of the situation were taking my issue seriously. I did not want to do this, but I felt I had no other option. I would like to say that since Ryder was informed of my complaint (on or about April 13 2016), I have been retaliated against by supervisor Wanda Cruz, as well as other decision-makers within the company, in the form of opening personal mail from state agencies that was addressed specifically to myself at work, removing me from the current driving route Ive held since my tenure began with the company (I now am forced to ride as a passenger with another driver, so in effect, Ive been demoted to a drivers helper), and the dispatch time in which I am to report to work was changed without warning (I live the furthest distance from the hub, and the change in start time forces me to leave my home in the heart of rush hour traffic - this makes it challenging to arrive at work on time due to the volatile traffic conditions). Local management realizes there was/is no business necessity to change the driver start times, as the trucks are usually not even loaded until an hour or more after the drivers arrive. We routinely sit in the break room waiting for the warehouse workers to finish loading the trucks. Since I filed my complaint with the State of NJ, I feel that the supervisors at Ryder are intentionally creating a hostile work environment for me in retaliation for filing said charge. Instead of just coming to the table to work towards a fair resolution, they are seemingly bent on constructively discharging me, when all I asked in the first instance was why I am not being paid the same rate as my male colleagues.
I have been forced to retain counsel due to the treatment Ive received since I filed my complaint. I dont know how things will turn out, but I thought you should be aware of the treatment I am receiving at this Ryder location. Despite it all, I am still proud to work at Ryder and I remain hopeful that a speedy resolution will be reached, as I would like to stay on there.
Thank you for your time,
Respectfully,
Georgette
