Pondering Flicker

Nothing like a Flicker stopping by...

A crazy day at work. First day under the new rules for me. Yes they changed them again. Sigh... As I was taught to question everything, the answer I got back from corporate was "We are not sure yet". They only had 4 months to figure that out.. 

I will try and keep a long story short... Washington State requires Washington state based drivers working for a company that has a presence in Washington to follow the same break and lunch laws as most other workers in the state. The State Supreme Court confirmed that - So on a 10 to 14 hour day that means two 10 minute breaks and two 30 minute lunches. The companies electronic logbook reminded us to take those breaks but with the rule change, it doesn't anymore. The new rules says ANY 30 MINUTE OR MORE breaks count as your break. Yes this includes while you are unloading the trailer. So today to make a point, I worked 10 hours straight through - and it was legal on the FEDERAL level. They are not sure yet at the state level for several reasons that will likely end up back in court. 

A worst case? Drive 5.5 hours, unload 2 to 3 hours by hand and then drive 5.5 hours again - zero breaks and legal. They say to "be more flexible". I say they will force drivers to skip their lunch and will require more work from them... Time will tell.. 

Back to work in 10 hours...