Why Do Reporters Still Call Satish Jindel?

Reporters who cover the details of the FedEx Ground driver insurgency rightfully want to find industry experts to comment on the implications of the job classification scam at FedEx Ground. Reporters want to get insight into the costs, the operational challenges and the issues of the drivers and at FedEx. In article after article, a certain person is regularly quoted on this story: Satish Jindel. The reporters, and their editors, may want to further clarify exactly who Satish Jindel is for their readers. Or not call him as a source at all.

Who in the world is Satish Jindel?

Satish Jindel, along with present FedEx Ground CEO Dan Sullivan, was responsible for implementing the independent model scam at Roadway Package Services (also known as RPS and later Caliber) in the 1980s before leaving the company in the early 1990s. Jindel was at RPS for eight years and served as "Assistant to the President"—meaning assistant to the very same Dan Sullivan. Jindel later served as a consultant to FedEx in its purchase of RPS/Caliber. FedEx rebranded Caliber as FedEx Ground and is now operating its ground service using almost exactly the same sham independent contractor model as managed by Jindel and Sullivan.

His point of view cannot be considered as impartial or his opinion as unbiased. At a minimum, Jindel's past relationships—or conflict of interest—should be noted for the readers. Or he should not be used as a source altogether.

Just a bit of googling on Jindel shows...

Satish Jindel has over 20 years experience in the transportation/logistics industry. His transportation career began at RPS, where he directed the successful expansion of the company into a nationwide parcel carrier reaching annual revenues of over $800 million in 1992. In 1993, he founded SJ Consulting Group, Inc., to focus on the strategic, marketing, technology and operational needs of the companies in transportation and logistics industry. SJC practice now includes a professional staff of 16 people supporting a diverse group of clients that include global, national and regional companies in North America and overseas.

Satish’s personal strength includes understanding the dynamics of the overall transportation industry and forecasting trends years in advance. Satish provided strategic guidance to FedEx in its acquisition of Caliber System (RPS, Viking and Roberts Express) in 1997, which has transformed FedEx into a multi-modal transportation powerhouse. He identified the need to guarantee the Ground Parcel Service years in advance and the opportunity for new accessorial services that now generate huge margins for the carriers.

He has earned three masters’ degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, including a MBA from the Wharton School.

So why do reporters still call Satish Jindel as a source on the FedEx "independent contractor or employee" story?  At least, now they can't say they weren't informed....