local driver

truck driver

operations clerk

dispatcher

trailer mechanic

Van-Kam Freightways Ltd.

One of the better trucking companies because they pay for most of the time on the job including: chaining up, road closure standby time, and waiting for trailers to be loaded/unloaded.

Good benefit package including long and short disability, which is handy because the job is dangerous at times - several drivers have had serious illnesses and injuries requiring long periods off from work.

Unfortunately they have lost some big contracts and cut drivers mileage resulting in lower pay - 20%  in the past 2 years.

Equipment is sub par and they don't do speedy repairs resulting in break downs.

Management are difficult to deal with, every problem is automatically the driver's fault and they won't listen to your side of the story unless you have proof,  cover your rear every day is the name of the game, or you'll be hauled on to the carpet. 

Advice to Management: increase business so that driver wages can go back up to pre 2016 levels and this will help to stop driver turn over.

Find better managers who look to solve problems rather than finding ways to blame and harass the drivers.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Customers were great always kind and joking about life and things talked about weather,holidays and sometimes work

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Worrying about damage to my own truck had a supposedly safe parking  but hit by other trucks while parked 3 times in 4months I had enough

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Toxic worse company I have ever worked for unionized company but o/operator do not have say and little or no support from unionized and they are quite animate on telling new o/o

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
You show up get your route order load in delivery sequence and hope you don't have to wait and listen to everyone complain about their deliveries

They will hire you with the promise of a signing bonus, work you to the bone, stress you out with a complete lack of organization and insane time constraints (like the removal of overtime hours entirely) but still expect you to perform miracles. Only to fire you less than a week away from the end of your probationary period the second you become a slight inconvenience.

The drivers/dock workers are not appreciated by management at all, and it shows. Most of the people working there are stressed to the max, burnt out, high strung and entirely demoralized, which only conflates everything else. Management will not change anything because they only care about production numbers.

Until management figures out that workers are people who deserve to be treated like human beings this place will continue to go down hill.

I worked for these people for over 10 years and was on the same run during that time. when I asked for more variety in my work life, my request was denied and the union was not able to help at all. My pay decreased from $80,000 per year down to $60,000 per year because of the changes they made to the pay structures. Like most trucking companies, they only fix their equipment when it interferes with production, and break downs were a constant headache. There is a good benefits package, except for the pension plan which is abysmal. If you work here you are a number not a human being. They do try to maintain a good work /life balance but that the only good thing I can say about this company.

Manager is unpredictable, moody, unapproachable, and demands respect but gives very little it any. It is a nothing is ever good enough work environment. If you go above and beyond then that is what’s expected and your pushed to do better. You will be treated like a number and your job will be threatened it you don’t agree with something or you have an opinion.  You will be micromanaged. The company is trying to make the necessary changes to educate their managers on how they would like to conduct their business but that seems to be a waste of time. It is a company first employee second company. 

Terrible place to work 
The dispatch is very unorganized and blatantly lies to customers to make the drivers look bad when there freight is late. The drivers are not supported by the company at all they look for anything to reprimand you.  The owners enjoy making it tough for the drivers and obviously don’t give a hoot about them. Some of the trucks and equipment are in poor working order.

Union signed current contract without membership approval so your not going to get anywhere. Lyndon (Terminal Manager) is a ignorant Person and you will be forced to do overtime everyday as it’s mandatory as per agreement. Equipment is garbage and management will lie about getting new trucks to get you to hire on. Dispatch..... It’s Dispatch so if you’ve driven for anytime you’ll understand my lack of comment. Drivers are ok but there are some that need an adjustment. Stay away if you want minimal pay and even with overtime you won’t make a living. 

After a year of working for Van Kam Sidney location, I  found myself accepted into the mature culter of the work place. I love coming to work! So much that it really makes me want to go above and beyond :)  I feel recognized for these doings aswell! NOW after 3 years of being there, I find myself asking "wish i hadn't wasted so much time with the jobs i had before" Great staff, lots of work, and growth.  NO I WAS NOT PAID TO SAY THIS. I'm a driver there.

Typical day at van kam driving can be doing full loads to multiple local deliveries. Since being with Van Kam i enjoy the comraderie with fellow employees and our customers. Our owners are working very hard to earn the respect of all their employees by making positive changes. I don't find any of the work at Van Kam hard or difficult. Yes it can get busy at times but that's expected during peak times. Personally I think Van Kam is a great company. Glad that I'm part of it. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The ppl I worked with it was a great atmosphere and great experience to know big company 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
No stress they helped u out at all times 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work was hard but kept u moving all the time and the co workers I had were great ppl 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A very busy day time always went by fast for me

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Local driver 39 salaries reported	$31.73 per hour
Truck driver 20 salaries reported	$31.79 per hour
Operations clerk 16 salaries reported	$48,250 per year
Dispatcher 6 salaries reported	$70,000 per year
Trailer mechanic 4 salaries reported	$39.81 per hour

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