Peanuts to Profits With Thor Schrock
Peanuts to Profits With Thor Schrock

It always amazes me that some people just can’t seem to grasp the concept that if you raise costs on businesses the prices they charge consumers for services will go up.

Congress is considering more sweet-heart union legislation that would require express mail carriers (like FedEx) to be regulated under the National Labor Relations Act (NRLA).

The Teamsters Union has been at work in UPS for years causing regulation headaches and increasing shipping prices for consumers and now they want in on the FedEx action as well.

Their objective is to boost their membership numbers and consequently the money they can spend on political campaigns and lobbyists.  The fastest way to do that is to get a piece of the non-unionized FedEx pie.

Rather than asking FedEx employees if they want to be represented by a union, the Teamsters have used political influence and Capital Hill lobbyists to try to force their employees into paying union dues whether they want to or not.

Hoffa Wants 100,000 FedEx Union Members

Teamsters Union President James Hoffa called on Congress to force FedEx air express workers to operate under the NRLA, and vowed to “organize 100,000 workers at FedEx” once that happens.

Multiple attempts at company-wide unionization of FedEx have already failed as workers reject union monopolies, so Teamsters have developed legislative strategies to force unionization.

The Senate is expected to decide on the bill, Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act, soon. This legislation would be government intervening in a private company’s operating procedures– and it amounts to a boon to the Teamsters union, and a drag on our economy.

What You Can Do to Stop Abusive Union Legislation

Call your Senators today and ask them to please VOTE NO on the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act and to oppose the special deal for the Teamsters.

It is anti-competitive and another example of Washington backroom dealing—without public oversight.:

US Senator Mike Johanns in Omaha: (402) 758-8981

US Senator Ben Nelson in Omaha: (402) 391-3411

What Happens if This Law Passes?

Today, prices are down, reliability is up and access to markets has never been better in the shipping industry. Our economy depends on a reliable and competitively priced express-delivery network for emergency  medicines, replacement parts and critical inventory.

But if Congress creates a government-mandated monopoly, prices will increase, service and reliability will decrease, and then access will be limited.

Consumers may have to pay a “hidden package tax” to fund this bailout. Estimates vary, but a mere 10 percent increase in costs would result in an extra $9 billion cost for consumers. Not to mention reduced reliability, longer shipping times and more limited access to rural markets around the globe.

In addition, FedEx and other overnight air carriers will be subject to labor strikes like UPS experienced in 1997, which had catastrophic consequences for the economy.

Shipments of indispensable items like medications, food, paychecks – could end up stranded on shipping docks across the country again.

It took a while for us to find just the right location, but after a lot of searching and negotiating Schrock Innovations will be locating its new Omaha Service Center at 168th and Burke in the Village Pointe South Development.

Village Point South is just across the street form the large Village Point Mall at 168th and Dodge.  Some of our technology neighbors include Best Buy and the Apple Store.

Schrock will be occupying 2 bays in the development for a total of 2,400 square feet.

No More Moving!

Our Omaha customers might remember that we launched our first Omaha Service Center in 2003.  Following the same model that has brought success in the Lincoln, NE market, we chose to advertise with a weekly radio show on Magic 590 AM.

Our first year was a success and we started hiring more employees and expanding the array of services we offered in Omaha.  In the midst of our expansion, we received notice that Magic 590 was going to flip formats to become a sports talk station, and our show was canceled as a result.

We worked on a few other advertising mediums, but nothing produced like our radio show did.  Eventually we were forced to lay off most of our Omaha staff and eventually, we closed our physical Omaha location and serviced our customers on-site exclusively in Omaha.

This new location is a 5-year lease and was selected specifically for its location and proximity to other technology companies who we already know we can outperform with our award-winning customer service.

New Radio Show

I make lots of mistakes, but I always learn from them.  I knew there was only one AM station in Omaha that was going to bring the success that we needed to support a new Omaha Service Center, and that station was 1110 KFAB.

But getting on KFAB is not as easy as calling a sales rep and asking how much.  When we lost our Magic 590 show we sent demo CDs into KFAB only to be turned down.

You have to understand that stations like KFAB are approached every day by people who want radio shows.  Some are serious, and some are not, but most do not have any radio experience whatsoever.  KFAB is a market leader and they need to have quality talent on their airwaves at all times.

After we were rejected in 2003 by KFAB I went to work honing my radio abilities on our Lincoln affiliate, KFOR 1240 AM.  Things started going so well that in late 2009 KFOR and I developed a new 3-hour weekend show called the Living Digital Show.

With a LOT more experience under my belt and a home-based studio to boot, we approached KFAB again and they agreed to grant us a 1-year contract for Compute This on KFAB.

The new show starts August 1, 2010 and airs every Sunday morning between 7-8 AM.

Construction Begins

Our new bay is a bare shell.  It has never had any other business in it before, so that means we get to design the space to meet our unique needs.  I may be good with computers, but I am definately not a measure twice cut once kind of guy.  We needed a General contractor to keep our build out on track.

We plan on signing a letter of intent with a contractor tomorrow and we should be open for business by September.

Since our radio show starts in August and the shop won’t be ready until September, we have hired employees to do free pickups, drop-offs and on-site appointments in the meantime.

Nothing Like Schrock in Omaha

The thing that makes me excited the most is that there are no other companies like Schrock Innovations in Omaha.  There are lots of places to get your computer fixed, but there are no service-leaders.

I am confident that our blend of ultra-talented technicians, radio fun (and a little marketing), and the Schrock dedication to customer service that we will do well in Omaha.  Stay tuned for the grand opening party coming in September 🙂