AN UNCONVENTIONAL ‘BACON’ OF HOPE
THE STORY OF THE DANISH PROTEST PIG
In the 19th century, Denmark and Prussia couldn’t agree on where to draw their border. Both countries refused to concede or couldn’t reach an agreement on which country would ultimately control Southern Jutland, which today is Germany’s northernmost state called Schleswig-Holstein. This refusal to compromise ultimately led to war, and in 1848, Denmark won control. However, their victory was short-lived, as roughly a decade later, the Second Schleswig War was underway. This time, though, Prussia was victorious. After their victory, the Prussian authorities slowly began to move into the peninsula, implementing new laws over the Danes living there. These new laws prohibited anything Danish, including all uses of the Danish flag. Needless to say, the Danes were not happy — especially the farmers. These Danish farmers knew they had to protest this oppressive Prussian government, but they couldn’t just publicly wave the Danish flag. So, they got crafty. Danish farmers began to crossbreed their pigs to create a new breed, one that had the same markings as
the Danish flag. These pigs were red in color, with one white vertical stripe and one white horizontal stripe. The farmers named their new pigs Protestschwein, or the Danish Protest Pig. This protest pig quickly became the mascot of Danish cultural independence, and their efforts didn’t go unnoticed by Prussian authorities. In 1881, a local Prussian police station sent communications back to the government in Berlin that farmers were breeding strange-looking pigs. However, while they could not prove that farmers were knowingly breeding the pigs to look like the Danish flag, “it was believed that the farmers were well aware of this and that this pig represented an affront to the Prussians,” according to records from the Red Holstein Breeders Association.
Today, the Danish Protest Pig is recognized as its own breed but has a different name: the Husum Red Pied. And, the now-German state of Schleswig-Holstein supports the protection of this pig due to the cultural significance it offered its Danish ancestors so many years ago.
YOU HAVE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES! 3 Rights Every Trucker and Trucking Company Should Know
As truck drivers, you have rights that protect you while on the road. Unfortunately, while you’re taught the rules you must follow during training, truck driver rights are hardly covered. Whether you’re a first-time driver or a seasoned trucker, it’s vital you know the laws that protect you and your well-being. Conversely, most trucking companies want to do the right thing. Here are three things you should know.
regulations, and any drug or alcohol testing rules. 2. You inform them that their request is illegal and creates hazardous driving conditions. 3. The receiver, shipper, or transporter threatens your employment if you refuse to agree to their request. GET PAID FOR WORKING OVERTIME. By law, trucking companies and carriers must follow wage and overtime laws. In California, the maximum hours you can drive a day is 11 to 14 hours. If you work overtime or extra days, you’re entitled to compensation. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. Please visit DOL.gov/Agencies/WHD or call 866-487- 9243 to know if the exemption applies to you. TAKE TIME OFF! Truckers can be out on the road for weeks at a time. And it can be frustrating if you request time off and your dispatcher or carrier “forgot” to approve it. However,
there are some ways for you to ensure you have these days off. You should check your contract terms and conditions to see if it outlines time off requirements. Additionally, ask for time off approval in writing and store it in your records if you need to use them to remind your employer about your off days. As for employers, California and the federal government put a lot on your plate to comply with. The vast majority of the companies that work with us to keep their drivers’ records clean are fair to their truckers. Treating drivers well gives you a little grace if you miss something and also makes you work harder to make sure truckers get everything they are entitled to. At Bigger & Harman, we value you, your time, and your rights. If you’re facing any legal trouble in traffic court, please don’t hesitate to call us. We will be more than happy to review your case and speak on your behalf in court. Allow us to take some stress off your shoulders during this time.
YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST COERCION.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) adopted the Prohibiting Coercion of Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers rule in 2016. An act is considered to be coercion if all of the following instances occur:
1. A carrier, receiver, shipper, or transporter asks you to do something that violates
state or federal laws, FMSCA rules, hours of service (HOS) regulations, commercial driver’s license (CDL)
2 | www.bakersfieldtraffictickets.com
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