Frequently Asked Questions

Kearny drivers (union mileage package)

 

COMPENSATION & BONUSES

Our average company driver earns $56,940 a year, plus benefits.

  • 1 week vacation, after one year of full-time employment ($718 per week)
  • 2 weeks vacation, after two years of full-time employment
  • 3 weeks vacation, after five years of full-time employment
  • 4 weeks vacation, after ten years of full-time employment

13 paid holidays after one year of full-time employment

($143.60 per day)

  • New Years Day
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • President's Day
  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day After Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day
  • Employee's Birthday (payable after two years of employment)

Mileage drivers will be paid for the following holidays during their first twelve months of employment:

  • New Years Day
  • Memorial Day
  • 4th of July
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day After Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

NOTE: You must be available to work the day before & the day after the holiday to receive holiday pay. (Holidays & vacations are compensated for at a rate of $143.60 per day). All vacation time earned is paid if the driver's employment is terminated prior to his vacation.

NOTE: Bereavement pay is available, subject to qualification.

All miles are paid for, loaded & empty.

  • Start at: $ 0.57 per mile (0-100 miles) (per load)
  • $ 0.45 per mile (101-170 miles) (per load)
  • $ 0.43 per mile (170+ miles) (per load)
  • Driver gets $15.00 per live pick-up, stop-off & reconsignment, in addition to mileage pay. There is no payment for pick-up of pre-loaded trailers. There is an additional tarping payment of $10.00.
  • $50.00 minimum per load.
  • There is a payment of 10¢ per mile for hauling over-dimensional loads.
  • Miles paid are based on a PC-miler generated shortest route.
  • $25.00 per night, for layovers in a sleeper cab; dispatcher must be notified.
  • Detention pay is $10.00 per hour, after expiration of three hours free time, subject to certain conditions.

SAFETY & INCENTIVE AWARDS (Paid Annually)
An annual bonus will be awarded to deserving drivers, based on safety performance, subject to the sole discretion of L.J. Kennedy management, if business conditions permit.

SERVICE AREA
L.J. Kennedy primarily serves the USA, East of the Mississippi, with a focus on Ohio & the Northeast.

DISPATCH
Loads are dispatched from our dispatch facilities in New Jersey. We offer 24-hour dispatch support.
Phone numbers are listed below:
Kearny, NJ (800) 526-1221 (There is also 24-hour breakdown service)
Florence (800) 543-5021

INSURANCE
Upon completion of your ninety-day probationary period, you will receive paid medical benefits on the first of the following month. There is no payroll deduction for family medical benefits. Life insurance is provided, for yourself. A prescription plan is also provided. AD&D coverage is also provided.

DRUG TESTING & PHYSICALS
L.J. Kennedy pays for your drug test & physical.

401K & DIRECT DEPOSIT & PENSION

A 401K program is available to all drivers. There is no charge to participate. Enrollment is in January & July, after completion of three months full-time employment. There are numerous options.

Direct deposit, our preferred payroll method, is also available. Funds can't be divided between checking & savings.

A paid Teamster pension program is available to all drivers. A driver is fully vested after five years.


ADDITIONAL REASONS TO JOIN OUR TEAM

  • Work is usually not seasonal; but the winter tends to be the slowest season.
  • There is an open door management policy. We will make time to hear your suggestions & thoughts, even your complaints. You are part of our team and we will treat you that way!
  • Drivers are home on weekends, with rare exceptions.
  • Continuous safety training is provided.
  • All drivers are assigned Comdata cards, for on-the-road fuel purchases.
  • All tractors are equipped with EZ Pass to minimize out-of-pocket toll expenses, as well as Ohio Turnpike Cards.
  • There is virtually no loading or unloading by the driver.
  • We have shower facilities at our Aliquippa, Florence, Carrollton, Kearny & Stony Point terminals.
  • Approximately 82% of your shipments are pre-loaded and pre-tarped.

RIDER PROGRAM
No riders are permitted in L.J. Kennedy vehicles without written consent of the terminal manager. No pets allowed.

SATELLITES
All tractors are equipped with Qualcomm mobile-satellite receivers. You don't have to look for pay-phones or use your cell phone to get in touch with dispatch. "In-cab e-mail" is available, at a small charge, so your family can keep in touch with you when you are on the road.

NYC DELIVERIES
Deliveries to the five boroughs of NYC are rare but required at times, as well as other metropolitan areas. Drivers get directions & most loads have appointments.

RECRUITMENT BONUS
A bonus of up to $1,000.00 per referred driver hired is available; ask for details.

TERMINAL-NETWORK

  • Aliquippa, PA
  • Auburn, ME
  • Bristol, CT
  • Carrollton, KY
  • Florence, NJ
  • Kearny, NJ
  • Stony Point, NY

REASONS MANY APPLICANTS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR L.J. KENNEDY

  • We serve the five boroughs of New York. Directions & appointments are provided but many drivers do not want to drive in New York City. NYC loads are a small percentage of our deliveries.
  • Tarps are heavy & bulky. You will be required to climb on loads, at times.
  • Systems drivers typically leave their homes on Sunday nights and return on Friday afternoons.
  • You are not paid extra for loads to New York City at this time.
  • Many of our shipments pick-up and/or deliver in the Northeast, where traffic can be quite congested.

The information contained in this website is posted by L.J. Kennedy Trucking in good faith and is subject to change without notice. This is a guide, not a contract or offer of employment. L.J. Kennedy reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to make adjustments due to errors.