I was employed for a trucking company called SLB Enterprise. They haul what is called hot shot freight. SLB Enterprise is owned by Stephen Burress 207 National Drive #38 Murfreesboro TN 37128. Another address on his "business" card is 512 Straight Fork Church Rd. Huntsville TN 37756. His cell phone number is 865-604-7014. Fax number 423-663-8504. Phone #615-604-6464. Email [email protected]
I talked to Stephen Burress about a job a few weeks before I started working for him or should I say providing free labor for him. I worked at a lumber mill and Stephen came to my work place several times to ask me to work for him and he called my in-laws and left messages for me to call him about a job.
Finally, I decided to give this company a try. I went to work for SLB Enterprise. Big mistake! When I first started I ask Stephen where I needed to go to take a drug test, this is standard pre-employment procedure. He said it (the drug test) has been taken care of and I didn't have to take one. We, the drivers, were told we didn't need to keep a log book. I, luckily, kept one on the advice of my father-in-law. I still have my log book which shows dates and every place I went to while in his employ.
The first week I worked for him he told me I would be paid by the mile at. 29 mile, the next time pay amount was mentioned it had been dropped to. 25. He paid me the first week a total of $144 for driving 726 miles. When it came to getting paid the second week on Thursday, which is the day he said that he paid everyone on, he told me I must have misunderstood because he was holding me a week behind. I also collected a total of $200 during the three weeks I worked. Out of that $200 I purchased a driver mirror for $26. Because the truck mirror got busted by a rock from another passing truck and I was told to replace it while on the road. I was not at fault for the mirror getting broken. This is considered a road hazard. I also had to purchase phone cards which was about $25 to call my employer's customers to get direction to deliver the loads.
The second week I never got paid anything for 980 miles (I can give you the exact amount form my log book, but, I don't have it with me right now; I am at my in-laws, since I can't afford a phone). He first said he had to get another person, his girlfriend, to write out a check. That was on Thursday. That night his girlfriend called and said that she wrote the check and Stephen would bring it to the shop so I or my wife could pick it up. Friday, Stephen was supposed to call me when he arrived at the shop so I could pick up the check. But, he never called and their was no answer all day at the shop. That night, I called him on his cell phone and ask him where my check was. He said that he left it with his dad. Saturday, I tried to call his dad and the shop all day, of course, there was no answer. Sunday, still no paycheck, I still couldn't contact anyone. This went on until Wednesday. On Wednesday, my wife finally contacted his dad by phone; he said that he gave the check back to Stephen and we would have to get a hold of him, again. This was convenient for him, since he drives one of his own truck and would be gone until the following weekend. I called Stephen on his cell phone and he stated that he wasn't going to pay me anything. He said that I damaged a trailer that I was hauling and that he didn't owe me anything. He also said that it was my responsibility to pay for the mirror that I did not break. And he said that I messed up the trailer lights, but I know that they were working when I parked because they were on and I had to go turn them off. When my wife called him to ask him when we could get my check, he called her a c*ck s*cking b*tch and said we didn't know who we were messing with!
Monday, I went to the local unemployment office and told them that I couldn't get my pay from him. They finally came to the conclusion there wasn't anything they could do about it, since I was considered contract labor. I can't seem to find anyone who can do anything about this. Why should an employer of any kind be permitted to RIP OFF an employee contracted or not? I have probably forgotten a few minor details but, nothing pertinant.
When I agreed to work for SLB, my wife had to quit her job at Wal-Mart. The reason was that when I worked at the sawmill I worked first shift. My wife worked third shift, so I took care of our children, who are ages 1 and 2 years old, while she was at work. So, when I went back to driving, she had to quit her job. Since this all happened, I was forced to sell my pick up truck to pay our rent and bills. I have had to borrow money from family to make ends meet while I try to get another job. They won't hire me back at the sawmill because I gave my two week notice but, then Stephen insisted I had to leave the week after I gave my notice. So, I didn't get to finish out the two weeks past my notice. My clothes dryer has been repossesed, my car payments are behind. I have had to sign up on food stamps because I couldn't afford to buy food.
SLB is an extreme RIP OFF! He said he couldn't keep driver's over a few weeks at a time; now I know why! Drivers can't afford to donate labor to SLB. I am not the first driver he has did this to. He is too good at it. He obviously knows that there aren't many options in this line of work to help in collecting from people like him.
I hope you can help with this.
Thank you very much,
B B & Family
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