Smile Politely. Speak Directly. A Champaign-Urbana Culture Blog

During the 1990s, the invisible hand of the free market gave Champaign the finger. Buildings were abandoned as businesses fled to more profitable areas on the city’s periphery. Downtown became a ghost town. Blight and decay marked much of the city’s core, until the city stepped in.

Although the city of Champaign continues to approve a number of subdivisions on its periphery, it has steadily wooed developers into investing and re-investing in the core of the city. Champaign is following the lead of many cities by encouraging urban infill, which is the redevelopment of existing lots and buildings. However, the revitalization of the city core hasn’t been cheap.

• Contractors can only use their delivery vehicle for other commercial purposes only if the company’s decals are covered up.
• If a contractor’s truck has FedEx Ground packages on it, then that vehicle can’t leave FedEx property.
• Contractors can’t repair their vehicles because they are the company’s property.
• Contractors are reprimanded by management if packages aren’t delivered or picked up on time.
• Contractors can’t add on new vehicles without the company’s permission, regardless of whether the addition of another vehicle would benefit the contractor.
• FedEx doesn’t recruit drivers for contractors, but they can employ temporary drivers, who can then work for a contractor.
• Contractors must wear a FedEx uniform.

Now, just think about this: if you were a contractor and you were told when you needed to start your day, when you needed to have a package delivered by, when you had to have a package picked up and that you can’t take your vehicle home, wouldn’t you feel like an employee?