Posts Tagged ‘Women in Trucking’
Ellen Voie answers questions about the CRST Sexual Harassment case Part III
In our continuing Q & A with Ellen Voie, President/Founder of “Women in Trucking” we present the final installment of the 32 questions including response from Heather.
30. Is CRST currently your sponsor? Why or Why Not? If not, who terminated the sponsorship?
Ellen: No, they have never been a sponsor. CRST is a member however. They should be given the opportunity to provide a safe environment for their drivers and that includes joining the association as a member.
31. You have contacted several people, asking them to submit ideas about creating a “Best Practices Policy”, some of these contributions, attributed to you, have appeared in articles. Why were the original authors of the contributions not given credit for their ideas?
Ellen: Who are these people who state that I have contacted them? Heather, please give me the reference you are citing. (Admin*** following an email exchange that still exists, some sentences were utilized in an article shortly afterwards. Due to the overwhelming response to these questions the persons do not wish to cause further embarrassment but the matters can be discussed privately)
32. Your “Friend” recently made phone calls to explain that your “Best Practices” White Paper you had your “Eye” on will require $100,000 to produce, Please Explain that price tag? (Admin*** this is in reference to Marge Bailey conversation days before these letters were exchanged)
Ellen: Heather, I have never made this claim regarding cost. Please identify who you are quoting and how they arrived at this estimate. This is another instance of “she said-he said” that was not attributed to me and I am not aware of the context.
I would like to clarify something about associations. I am a certified association executive. This means that I have undergone extensive training in how to run an association. I formed Women In Trucking through the process of legal applications, by-laws, anti-trust issues, non-conflict policies, employment law, etc. One of the first activities I did was to create a board of directors. I am legally bound to the collective instructions of the board of directors. The board is the governing body and includes a professional driver, industry executives, etc. When people criticize me for not being a driver, they don’t understand association management. I report to people who have over 300 years experience in the trucking industry and were chosen for their knowledge and experience. They determine my priorities and monitor my activities. If you or others have questions or concerns about Women In Trucking, feel free to contact our board chairwoman, Leigh Foxall, who I report to Leigh@womenintrucking.org (Admin*** original email CC:See Bio for Leigh Foxall Leigh@truckstop.com )
(Admin**** After receiving these questions a phone call between Ellen Voie, Marge Bailey, Char Pingel & Desiree Wood took place.
Ellen was reminded that Tracey Hamm had been involved in CRST Sexual Harassment case and was following Ellen on Twitter and Facebook.
Ellen was also advised that she had discredited Desiree Wood to filmmaker Beverly Petersen. Ellen did not recall this.
Tracy Hamm received an email moments after this short phone call and spoke to Ellen Voie. Tracy Hamm has read this Q & A and said she would be surprised if these answers above remained the same following her phone conversation with Ellen Voie.
A follow-up letter was written to clarify permission to post this dialogue due to the legal disclaimer attached to the email questions. This was due to the indicators present that Ellen Voie tends to be a “Litigious” person. ******
The following is the email by Heather Rose:
Dear Ms. Voie:
I appreciate you answering my questions. I would be lying if I said you have persuaded me. I am left with more questions about your experience level with Women’s Issues. You have left me to conclude that you are not proactive in searching for Women involved in the CRST case because I know there are many at your fingertips you have made little effort to interview.
You seem to be only satisfied with a management perspective of what is occurring. You state that you had to earn respect working in a male dominated industry but you fail to see that earning respect among Women Truckers when you are not one but aspire to represent them puts you in a precarious position.
I assume you know my questions will be made public to you and you state that you want transparency but you put a disclaimer in your responses so I cannot publish your answers for the public. This does not constitute transparency.
Many of your answers seem more inclined toward you rather than women truckers and despite the common knowledge that it was your organization that removed or deleted evidence of misconduct. I did not bring up the issue that your qualifications have come into question because of the handling of that Cyber-Stalking but you seemed to want to include this information.
I feel that you missed the opportunity to understand that if you cannot control a message forum and you have not experienced first-hand what it means to pick up a load, manage a logbook, dock a trailer, find suitable parking and you are continually dismissive of issues, you seem nothing more than a female corporate apologist.
You do admit to incidences to conceal and/or find fault with others who question you and I also find that you do not seem to be prepared to assert yourself in the Women Truckers need their issues raised properly.
I will make the questions public this weekend and I offer you the chance to give permission for your answers to be made public if you are 100% confident of your responses this should not present a problem.
Otherwise, I will make a disclaimer to say what I gleaned from your responses and allow other to provided supporting information to the contrary.
Sincerely,
Heather Rose
(Admin*** Permission to publish was returned by Ellen Voie with the following email:)
Ms. Rose,
I was not aware that you were asking me questions for publication purposes. Feel free to use my responses with the agreement that there will not be any alteration or editing. You may use them as written and without edits.
Please explain to me what you are referring to when you state that I removed “evidence of misconduct.” Please provide evidence that I have mishandled a cyber stalker. These are claims that are not substantiated. You claim that I am accountable for the WIT message forum, but there are people lying and slandering on sites which hide their identity. If there is one thing you can do to assist, it would be to tell me what you want in regard to what happened on the forum in the past. Why is this still an issue?
I am not aware of any CRST cover-up, if you have evidence to the contrary, please provide proof. You claim that I admit to incidences to conceal and/or find fault with others who question me, but this is not true. You are making assumptions about me. Stick to facts that you can prove. In regard to your assertion that I do not understand what it’s like to “to pick up a load, manage a logbook, dock a trailer, find suitable parking” you are wrong.
I accompanied my former husband on the road extensively. We strapped our son in the bunk in his baby seat and I traveled with him on many trips over 20 years. We owned three trucks and I drove them (not under a load). I also owned a consulting business for 18 years and audited log books, kept compliance records, completed compliance paperwork and more. I spent a lot of time at truck stops, in the truck, at shippers, etc. I have been honest about not having a CDL and have not misrepresented my background.
However, my role as an association manager means that I report to the population we represent. Only 20% of our members are drivers, and many of those are men. The greater part of my job is for those who are in the industry, not just drivers. That’s what the board of directors is for, to provide the insight into the industry.
Now I would like you to answer some questions.
Why don’t these websites say who is the owner/administrator?
http://www.facebook.com/REALWomenTruckers
http://realwomenintrucking.com/about/
http://twitter.com/Womentruckers
Why do you support slander and libel on your sites? Why do you feel that you must police our association? If you don’t support our mission, don’t join.
You have your own association called Real Women in Trucking or Real Women Truckers. Why are our activities your concern?
Why do you not hold OOIDA and other driver associations to the same level?
We are not a driver association, but OOIDA is.
There are women in trucking who do not drive. There are women in this industry who sell, fix, dispatch, recruit and lead companies. We represent all of them. Have you talked to any of our members to get insight on WHY they appreciate our efforts? Have you taken the time to find members who have been helped by our association? Why do you want to hurt these people who have joined and are benefiting from our services by continually questioning our activities and making false assumptions about who we are are and who we represent?
Ellen Voie CAE President/CEO
Women In Trucking, Inc.
***********************************************************************************************************
Note from Admin of REAL Women in Trucking:
This site was created as a safe place following the Cyber-Stalking that occurred from the “Women in Trucking” forum from 2008-2009. The need to dissect and attack other Women who were seeking answers as they embarked into the trucking industry is found to be part of the problem that needs to be corrected. Frequent retaliation for reporting abuse in Trucking makes it necessary to provide a place to speak without fear. Some of the Women who post on this site are engaged in pending legal actions and others are contemplating moving forward. Due to the climate in trucking toward Women Truckers anonymity is a must until REAL changes occur and are enforced. At this time we have only broken promises and very little representation we can trust.
R.E.A.L. stands for:
R. Reaching Out
E. Encouraging others
A. Achieving personal success
L. Leadership
Related posts
Ellen Voie answers Questions about CRST Sexual Harassment case Part II
The first part of the Q & A between Ellen Voie and Heather Rose was SHOCKING, to say the least! 64 responses and counting in less than 24 hours and more Revelations than….well almost as many as REVELATIONS!
That was for just 7 questions and there are 32 in total so Dag Gum It! Let’s see if we can hammer this mess out!
We sincerely appreciate Ellen Voie & Marge Bailey of “Women in Trucking” contributing and listening to what is being presented here. So far we have learned from Director Marge Bailey that “Women in Trucking” IS NOT A WOMEN’S DRIVER ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION. That means they should not make commentary or be asked to give expert opinions on cases and policies that affect Women Truckers as though they are the voice from Women Truckers.
Former CRST Truckers posted comments and I know a few are waiting in the wings. One Woman Trucker took the time to write her painful story that she has kept carefully tucked away but felt compelled to share it when she saw how dismissive the atmosphere was towards the CRST plaintiffs. I want to thank “Randy” for sharing links to the case so the Marge & Ellen can have the opportunity to learn more from another point of view instead of just what they have learned from CRST.
It has been helpful to clarify that the word “Obstacle” in the “Women in Trucking” Mission Statement means more of ergonomically adjusting trucking for Women. This may be a priority for “Women in Trucking” from an Industry Standpoint. This interpretation of the word “Obstacle” is considerably different from what REAL Women in Trucking would like to see higher on the priority list.
It is very important to remember that you will learn nothing if everyone always agrees with you. Always permit yourself access to those who might disagree with your opinions to help you view each problem from another angle. Otherwise you are cheating yourself of a valuable experience to grown and learn.
The Q & A between Heather Rose & Ellen Voie of “Women in Trucking”:
Part II
8. Do you agree with the ATA and its constituents (employers of truck drivers) that driving an 80,000 lb. tractor-trailer is unskilled labor and if so why?
Ellen: No, I believe it should be classified as skilled labor.
9. Do you feel that having written a book about your experiences with a tractor-trailer driving school which you attended, qualifies you as an authority on the conditions women face in OTR driver training situations? (Admin **for our Non-trucking friends OTR means “Over the Road” where drivers stay gone for weeks of months at a time, sometimes living year round in a truck to deliver freight)
Ellen: Not at all, I have never said that my experience at truck driving school qualifies me for anything other than understanding what it is like to attend driver training academy. The book is called “What to expect when attending truck driving school.” (Admin*** Link to Press Release of Ellen’s Book “Crushing Cones“
10. Would you support an industry wide standardized driver training curriculum?
Ellen: Yes, I support PTDI training standards and was trained within these guidelines. In my book I explain to potential drivers how to choose a school so that they don’t get scammed and not trained appropriately.
11. Do you, your organization, or anyone on your board, profit from the recruitment of women into driver training programs?
Ellen: NO, there is no financial incentive to recruit women drivers into any program or carrier. One board member owns a driver recruiting service where she earns a living but this is unrelated to Women In Trucking. (Admin*** www.ladytruckdrivers.com is owned by WIT Director Marge Bailey who is a recruiter and also owns www.truckercupid.com and has been answering many of the questions in Part 1 of this series.)
12. What kind of message do you believe it sends, to have a link to a dating site for women interested in dating truck drivers, which is run by a Director of WIT and also advocates the recruitment of women into the trucking industry?
Ellen: I am not aware of Women In Trucking linking or supporting a trucker dating site, please send me the reference. As far as a director having a recruiting site, it is only one of many recruiting sites that are members of the association. Feel free to contact Marge Bailey to discuss your concerns. Our board members are volunteers who represent various companies. (Admin *** Marge Bailey was contacted. She agreed that including a disclaimer on her Twitter feed @TruckerCupid would help eliminate misinterpretation)
13. As an advocate for women in trucking, have you ever taken it upon yourself, beyond what you may have been told at a corporate management level, to investigate the training culture of the industry that you and your organization advocate recruiting women into?
Ellen: Yes, that is why I went through driver training at Tri-C. I wanted to experience it myself. Also, I worked at the driver training facility at Schneider National where my role was driver retention. I worked with drivers at numerous Schneider facilities during my role there and I spent countless hours talking to drivers. I also work with NAPFTDS and CVTA to ensure that driver training facilities are legitimate and adequate. Next week I am speaking at NAPFTDS’ conference to educate the school executives on how to accommodate the driver and his or her family’s needs. If you are concerned that there are driver mills out there, so am I. They need to be closed. However, if potential drivers do not do their due diligence and investigate a potential school, these facilities will continue to exist. We all want them to shut down. We need to reach potential drivers before they sign a contract.
14. Are you aware of the amount of money that “corporate driver training mills” are receiving from the government to provide training, under the premise of job creation?
Ellen: Yes, it is due to the government’s goal to create jobs. I am aware of it. Whether I agree with it or not is another issue.
15. Are you aware that the Mega-corporations, who offer entry level training, are using trainees as low paid labor in team driver operations?
Ellen: Please elaborate on the carriers who do this and how they are forcing drivers to work for them.
16. Are you aware of and can you explain, the extremely high rate of turnover in these “driver training mills” where most students do not finish training or having completed training, do not continue to pursue employment within the trucking industry?
Ellen: We work hard to reach out to potential drivers and help them choose legitimate training opportunities so that they receive adequate training. That is an important part of our mission.
17. Colleen Morse, the Mother of the child from the “Trucker Buddy’ incident stated on a website called fairness.com that you responded to her that she was “over-reacting to the e-mails”? Have you had any training to work with trauma victims?
Ellen: I am not qualified to work with trauma victims. Colleen Morse did not have a child in the Trucker Buddy program, she was never involved in the Trucker Buddy program and I have never spoken to her. She claimed in an email that one of the Trucker Buddy drivers acted inappropriately with her son, but she was not in the program and she violated every policy that Trucker Buddy had in place to ensure the safety of the children. However, based on her allegations I contacted the driver and immediately removed him from the program. You can verify that with the driver or any Trucker Buddy executive. I suggest you do so. (Admin*** Click Link to See Comments by Colleen Morse )
22. In your recent article in Transport Topics Online you seemed to back track on your “Eye on Harassment” what changed?
Ellen: Please explain what you are asking me in regard to the article. It was about leadership.
23. You have impression in the recent Transport Topics Article that some women are perpetual victims. Are you aware that many women are coming from domestic violence and/or broken marriages, some having barely escaped with their lives, might take offense at that statement?
Ellen: The article wasn’t about women who ARE victims and it was not about drivers. It specifically states that this is about women leaders who take the victim role instead of trying to move forward into leadership positions. Here is the paragraph I believe you are referring to.
“Often, the resistance women leaders’ encounter is from those who see themselves as victims – not just men, but other women as well. They feel “picked on” by co-workers, the boss or the entire company, and instead of viewing the situation as a challenge, they blame others and refuse to accept any responsibility. Feeling powerless, they try to build themselves up by tearing down those whose positive vision they envy.”
Heather, this is not about blaming people who are, in reality, victims, and it is not about the driver population. It is about allowing others to keep from succeeding because we won’t accept the challenges ourselves. What I find interesting about this article is that so many executives sent me messages about how they could relate to the article because they had to move beyond those who want to tear them down and bring them to their level. If you go back and read the entire article about leading from a position of strength, it should be clearer. It was not intended to disregard real victims of any harassment, this is about “those who see themselves as victims and blame others instead of accepting responsibility for their situation.” The article was directed at senior level management and not about drivers. That’s why it appeared in Transport Topics, which is not a driver publication. (Admin*** Transport Topics Online Article )
24. Have you consulted with law firms and/or a private investigator such as www.compassllc.org with the intent of investigating the backgrounds of those who may voice questions concerning the motives and methods used by yourself, your organization or those involved in its day to day operation?
Ellen: No. I had lunch with some friends who were concerned about the character attacks on me and one, a private investigator, took it upon himself to do some research into public records. I never hired anyone or asked anyone to investigate anyone. I did not use the information he found in public records.
25. In the “Bully in the Workplace” Video you seem to cast aspersions on the moral constitution of women who claim to have been abused by their trainers, labeling them as gold diggers, have you personally spoken with any of the women involved with the CRST case?
Ellen: I would appreciate having a conversation with a sexual harassment victim from the CRST case. Please have them contact me. I have never labeled them as gold diggers, ever. Heather, you need to get the whole story here and ask these women how they were contacted and by whom. If you can find someone to give me their story, I would truly appreciate it.
26. Are you aware that your postings on Twitter, concerning the dismissal of the CRST sexual harassment law suit, due to gross mishandling on the part of the EEOC, appears to some, as gloating?
Ellen: No. (Admin*** @WomeninTrucking Twitter Stream Feb 13th www.twitter.com/womenintrucking )
27. Are you aware of any appeals that have been filed or any settlements that have been agreed upon, in the CRST Sexual Harassment case?
Ellen: Yes.
28. Why, if advised by legal counsel, not to appear on radio programs discussing Workplace Bullying, did you felt free to comment on the CRST Sexual Harassment Law Suit?
Ellen: First, I have never been advised by any legal council to not appear on a radio program. What you are referring to is when I told Donna Smith that I was not ready to participate in the radio show because I was working on anti-harassment policies with EEOC and legal counsel and was not prepared to discuss the process in public.
29. YRC, Ohio Pitt, CRST all have recent EEOC claims against them but are coincidently linked to WIT. Are you aware that it appears your organization is merely to ease the impact of litigation not to help Women overcome obstacles in the trucking industry as your mission statement indicates?
Ellen: First, there were no individual claims against YRC. http://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/release/3-5-09.cfm This was a compliance effort and the EEOC included Women In Trucking in the compliance activities before we were even aware of the action. There was NO complaint from a driver involved in this compliance, it was an action agreed upon by both groups to reach mutual goals. This was a positive action, Heather, and I have talked to both the EEOC and YRC about the process. Again, this did not involve any driver.
Second, the Pitt Ohio case was initiated from events that started in 1997, which is 13 years ago. They have been working hard to change their practices and we are part of that effort. Is this not a positive action to create change on their part?
The CRST case has been won in court twice. Again, Heather, do you know of any women involved in this action that I can speak with? Are you aware of the activities involved in this case? I would like to speak to a driver who was a victim. Do you believe that CRST has the freedom to join an association whose mission they support?
(Admin*** I know there is much bad blood and feelings involved but please try to refrain from name-calling. I know it is hard because this should have never been permitted to go as far as it has. Everyone has a right to their opinion as long a physical threats of violence are not made. Make sure you have documentation before you make allegations also. Finally, do not waste time trying to go back to advise a victim how he/she should respond when you yourself have never been in the identical situation and cannot change what trauma that person is experiencing, you are only kicking them when they are down & that is why SILENCE is a Predators best friend. When you do this to a victim you are helping predators thrive.)
Related posts
Ellen Voie answers Questions about CRST Sexual Harassment Case Part I
In an attempt to clarify the position of Ellen Voie President of “Women in Trucking with regards to Women Truckers and her comments made in a upcoming Documentary, she was asked to respond to a series of questions to put the matter to rest once and for all.
The Q & A between Heather Rose & Ellen Voie is rather lengthy so it will be presented in 3 parts. Included in this post I have included the blog and video in question.
Febuary 22, 2010
Dear Ms. Voie,
My name is Heather Rose and if you are not already aware, I have just recently opened an account on Twitter under the user name @heatherrose2006. I am a second generation Trucker. I began driving when I was 16 years old. I came to twitter only seeking social interaction with people who are of a like mind and of similar interests and came with no axes to grind against anyone. In the short time that I have been involved with the forum on Twitter, I have become friends with quite a few very interesting people of varying opinions and temperaments. As you may or may not be aware, during the short time that I have been involved with Twitter, there has occasionally been a few vehement back and forth, concerning the role which namely you and the organization that you have founded, “Women In Trucking ” are playing, in recruiting women into the transportation industry.
I recently watched the video of you from “The Ought to be a Law” (Admin*** link is to blog and various video sound bytes including Ellen Voie’s & Ronald Fletcher, it has be titled “Bully in Workplace” on other blogs) Documentary. After viewing the short interview, I must admit I came away extremely disappointed at the thought that a individual, who represents herself as an advocate for woman in trucking, would make such a statements as “…now I’m only hearing the company’s side…” Was it honestly, your intension to make it sound like, as an advocate for women in trucking, you had never taken it upon yourself to listen to even one woman’s story out of the 265 women, who sought redress of their grievances against CRST?
I by no means attempt to argue that there are not naive woman who allow themselves to become involved in compromising and abusive situations but being aware of the current industry wide practice of recruiting vulnerable women. IE: Women who qualify for WIA Vouchers as Displaced Homemakers, out of battered women’s/homeless shelters when the corporate culture of denial, delay and character assassination still is most frequently practiced in most training companies. I would sincerely hope that the statements presented as yours were presented completely out of context because I would hate to think that it was your intention, to suggest that these women deserved what they got and the men who assaulted them and the companies who cover for them and enable them, should not be held to answer for what they have done.
On Feb 5th, you or one of your representatives, posted on Twitter an invitation for all to ”Stop and see us at the Midwest Truck Show.” to which I responded, “You can bet your bottom dollar, I would love to stop by and talk to you.” In retrospect I have to admit that my response was a bit brash, as I have not allowed you the opportunity to present your side of the story, countering some of the unflattering things which I heard and read about you and your organization. That same evening I received an email from an individual, who felt the need to defend you from the “venom being hurled” at you, as they put it, you are “the underdog”. They related to me that they had been told by, a ten year friend of yours, that you are “the sweetest person you would ever want to meet”. They also learned “that Ellen’s Dad was a Pastor of a church, and Ellen was raised in a very Christian home.” In the light of this information I feel that instead of allowing the “venom being hurled” to poison my opinion of you and your organization, I would here, give you the opportunity to present your side of the story.
Perhaps it would be best for me to present you with some of the information that I have garnered from various sources concerning you and your organization and allow you counter or confirm its validity. If you would, please begin by explaining what you intended in the statements which you made in the video I referenced above and the following questions: (Admin*** Click Below to watch video in question )
Ellen Voie responded on Feb 23 2010:
Heather, thank you for being fair minded enough to ask me for my responses to your concerns. I am happy to respond to your questions and I appreciate your interest in fairness.
Please note the privacy policy under my signature regarding my responses. In an effort for transparency I am including my board chairwoman in this email.
First, let me clarify the clip about bullying. There was 30-45 minutes of interview interaction and I was NOT told that the producer’s only focus was on the CRST case. She took a few seconds of the entire interview out of context. I have talked to the executives at CRST about the case and have tried to locate any woman who was involved in the case. I am not aware of anyone who was sexually harassed at CRST, but if you know of any individuals I would be interested in hearing what they have so say. I had to tell the interviewer that I had only heard the carrier’s side because that’s the truth. You might want to understand the rest of the story regarding CRST.
Are you aware of the letters sent to every female driver at CRST that told them they might have money due them IF they could provide support for the harassment case? Did any one of them contact the company prior to the lawsuit? Did any one of them utilize the anti harassment services provided by the carrier? Do you personally know of any woman who was harassed at CRST who had suffered because of a lack of concern on the part of the carrier? If I could talk to a woman who was harassed I could verify the facts myself. I am not implying that there were no women who suffered any harassment, but I do not have any evidence to support this. The reason the lawsuit was thrown out was, according to the judge, was because, “the EEOC, among other things, acted unreasonably by suing CRST without conducting a proper investigation.” Heather, making assumptions about CRST without any driver verification is not accurate.
Again, if you can identify one woman who suffered sexual harassment at CRST I would like to verify these allegations so I have both sides of the situation. That being said, I am well aware of the harassment in the trucking industry and am greatly concerned about it. That is one of our priorities at Women In Trucking. I would like to see all of us work toward making changes instead of constantly attacking those who are working hard to find solutions. Calling people names on social networking sites is a form of bullying and creates an image of an industry that attacks its own members.
We could create a better environment if we used our energy for positive change instead of devouring our advocates. If you and your partners are truly concerned about this industry, you would allow me and our association to work on making changes and support our efforts. Heather, do you truly believe the allegations that accuse us of “covering up” rape or harassment? When you want something clarified, feel free to contact me or my board of directors. The personal attacks have gone too far and show a lack of maturity. I have been in leadership roles in this industry for over 30 years. If anyone thought that I was not qualified to represent women in trucking, I would not have gotten the support that I have.
These personal attacks have been disturbing to so many professionals who have offered their support and understanding, even to the point of airing a satellite radio segment to denigrate these visible attackers.
I am overwhelmed by the professionals who have reached out to me with encouragement and sincerity. If someone does not support our mission, that’s fine, but why continue to lie and slander me and undermine our efforts?
Here are my responses to your questions:
(Admin*** There are 32 questions that Heather Rose asked of Ellen Voie, because litigation has been inferred by Ellen Voie and the disclaimer on her email, Heather wrote a second email to clarify permission to publish the exchanges in their entirety, only the first 7 have been included in this post because the length of the answers.)
1. What do you consider to be your role in the trucking industry and why do you feel you are qualified to fill that role?
Ellen: I have spent my entire career as an advocate for drivers and their Families. When I was married and co-owner of a small fleet, I was very active in Families of Truckers Support Group and I wrote my Master’s Thesis on the Diverse Identities of Women Married to Professional drivers. I earned my diploma in Traffic and Transportation Management and started as Assistant Traffic Manager at a steel fabricating plant. I have a history of working for driver’s issues and have been involved in national and state legislation for nearly 20 years. I helped write the WI driver’s handbook to include information on sharing the road with trucks. In my position at Trucker Buddy, I used grant money to influence parents and teachers in safe driving practices around tractor-trailers. I started “Trucker’s Pride Day” in central Wisconsin to honor drivers, and I even had the Governor proclaim “Truck Driver Appreciation Day” in Wisconsin. I have used my bachelor’s degree in Journalism to write about issues facing drivers, including dozens of letters to the editor of Wisconsin newspapers on behalf of the driving population. Now, my role is to be an advocate for all drivers, with the focus on women’s issues. I have served on ATA, SLPMC and WI Motor Carrier Boards as well as the DOT Advisory committee. I even attended CDL School just to understand the experience. Here is my biography: ELLEN VOIE BIOGRAPHY
2. What are the aspirations, you have for yourself, within the Trucking industry?
Ellen: Our mission (my mission) is to encourage women to look at careers in the trucking industry, not just as drivers, but as technical roles, safety positions, HR, recruiting, dispatching, and corporate leadership. We represent ALL members of the trucking industry, NOT JUST DRIVERS. Along with that, our goals is to remove obstacles that might keep women from succeeding. We are educating, mentoring, networking, interacting and assisting women who join our association, as well as those women who are already in the industry. Finally, we are celebrating the success of our members and highlighting the accomplishments of those who have quietly served.
3. If you could change only two things in the trucking industry, what would they be?
Ellen:First, I would like to see this industry work together to create change, not spend energy trying to undermine each other’s efforts.
Secondly, I would like to see a more female friendly environment for all women in the industry.
4. Do you consider yourself to be an advocate for ALL women in the industry?
Ellen: My goal is to represent all segments and to try to understand the changes that need to take place to provide a safe, healthy environment for all drivers, not just women .
5. What is your vision for women within the trucking industry?
Ellen:A better, safer environment that doesn’t make assumptions about anyone based on their gender.
6. Do you believe that allegations of sexual harassment should be handled any differently in the trucking industry than in other industries?
Ellen: Sexual harassment should be handled immediately and appropriately regardless of the environment. There are specific challenges that this industry faces that others don’t and that is regarding driver training. That is why I am working on a best practices white paper for carriers to use.
7. At what point did you become concerned with women being able to attain high profile positions of power in the board rooms of the trucking industry?
Ellen: In 1979, when I earned my diploma in Traffic & Transportation Management and was the only female traffic manager around. I endured a great deal of harassment when I worked in the steel fabricating plant to supervise the loading at the dock. I deflected it by standing firm and changing their behavior through interaction. As a traffic manager before deregulation, carriers used the same tariff rates and had to differentiate themselves on service. I was offered everything from drugs to dates with professional ball players. I threw the sales reps out. Heather, when I was 19 years old and walked through the plant, the welders constantly whistled, yelled and made negative comments about everything from my clothes to the way I walked. I told them that they were wimps who only used wire feed welders and then I showed them that I knew how to weld with a rod welder. I had to earn their respect. They never gave me a hard time again. I didn’t stand for it. I have spent my entire career in this industry. I had to prove that I was worthy of respect.
Admin*** Part 2 of Ellen Voie Q & A with Heather Rose will be published by March 3, 2010
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Additional Reading:
Gazette Online CRST Sexual Harassment Case Articles
CRST Sexual Harassment Case by @TruckerDesiree
Male on Male Sexual Harassment in Trucking
Same Sex Harassment Jury Award
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What does “Women in Trucking” stand for?
Long gone is the era of Mrs. Walt Cleaver, waxing the kitchen floor in heels and pearls. Women have fought long and hard, confronting and, for the most part, overcoming resistance from the “good ol’ boy network”. Significant inroads into most “male dominated” industries, such as Women, in the “trucking industry”, where they long held clerical and managerial positions in numbers proportionate to businesses of comparable size and prominence.
While not commonplace, decades ago it was not unheard of, for a woman to own a fleet of two or three trucks, leasing them out, under another company’s authority. This holds true for the vast majority of companies that make up the “trucking industry” today. Our industry remained “male dominated” longer, by comparison to others, mostly due to a vast majority of women not being interested in becoming truck drivers.
In the past, while woman were willing and eager to work in positions that once were predominantly filled by men, they were not, for the most part, willing to take jobs that would isolate from their families and friends. It has not been until the recent developments of an infrastructure catering directly to the truck driver, the advent of more easily operable equipment and the implementation of currently available “training” opportunities, that women have taken a serious interest in becoming truck drivers.
While isolation and scarce home time remain issues facing drivers, no longer, might a driver find that the only bathing facilities available at a “truck stop” is a garden hose, out behind the garage or a deep-sink, next to a stinking mop bucket, gone are the days of manually steered, underpowered trucks with twenty forward gears requiring two or three shift levers and women no longer need be born into broadminded “trucking families” nor rely on their fathers, brothers, uncles, boyfriends or husbands to teach them how to drive a truck.
When you think of the trucking industry, what comes to mind? Is it a vision of some Mega-corporate fleet, consisting of several thousand units? While these corporations are considered major players in the industry today, they were not always so and are still but a very small percentage of the trucking industry as a whole.
Mega-corporate, billion dollars a year, several thousand unit fleets, is a relatively new phenomenon, having only come into being within the last few decades. Within this small slice of the “trucking industry” pie, there are three basis corporate cultural models:
1. Entry level training to drivers of little or no experience and also offers lease/purchase programs for equipment.
2. Trucking companies, consisting of predominantly company owned equipment, offering no entry level training and only employing drivers with a certain level of experience. They may also offer lease/purchase programs.
3. Trucking companies owning no equipment but they lease the services of drivers who own their own equipment: Smaller trucking companies providing load brokerage/dispatch services, operating authority, insurance and vehicle registration, taking a percentage of the gross revenue.
Before the Mega-Corporate phenomena over the last few decades, adventurous women, like those of the same spirit throughout history, have been making their presence known in the industry. These women received their training much the same way their male peers did, though they had to work much harder to overcome the male chauvinistic stereotypes of “the good ol’ boy network”.
Through their determination and hard work they were able to gain the respect of most their peers.
As a result of recently development of more ergonomically comfortable equipment, more accessible training, and worsening socioeconomic pressures, women as well as men are increasing deciding to become truck drivers.
Targeted recruitment of Women by the Trucking Industry without adapting proper training to prevent Rape, Violence & Retaliation to students is purely irresponsible. Recruiting Women into Trucking on the same sites where you can “Date a Trucker” is equally misleading and irresponsible.
Why is it supposed by some, that we must expect change in the culture of Mega-corporate trucking companies to occur any less slowly than in any other industry, who had undergone changes, in regards to sexual harassment, decades ago?
It is ludicrous for some to suggest that “the good ol’ boy network” is anymore heavily entrenched than it is in any other industry. Exposing flaws in a “problematic culture” and demanding redress of grievances may be considered, by some to be stirring up negativity but to those whose grievances require redress, it is called equal and just treatment.
While it is correct and necessary to push for a more gender diverse industrial corporate profile, change simply for the sake of the changing outward appearances does at best, no good and at worst, facilitates further coatings of white wash. If it is the good ol’ boy culture which needs to be changed, simply elevating into positions of “power”, women who are willing to play ball with the good ol’ boys, does nothing to address issues of abuse of basic human rights and dignity.
We would be foolish to attempt to argue that there are not naive woman who allow themselves to become involved in compromising and abusive situations. We would be as equally foolish to assume that there are not manipulative and abusive men who have found their way into positions of authority. If we are to hold naïve women to account for their indiscretions, why should it not follow that abusive predators also be held to account for their actions?
To adopt a “Boys will be boys” , and “Girls will be Girls”, “they are only doing what comes natural.” attitude and insist that changes be made carefully in half steps gives one the appearance of an apologist for Mega-corporations eager to cover over issues of negligence and/or malfeasance.
Being aware that problems exist in an organization, which one is attempting to recruit people into and as one who claims to be an advocate for those people, one does nothing to prepare or protect those people from abuse, one becomes complicit in the problems. Denying problems exist, casting aspersions on victims’ character and demanding their silence, makes one an integral part of the problem.
As seems to be the instance in most every issue, throughout the trucking industry, when putting together a driver training curriculum, social dynamics were never taken into account, when deciding its structure.
Heather Rose
2nd Generation Trucker
Additional Reading:
Predators and the Professional Female Drivers
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