Arnetta's First Journey

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Arnetta in 1977 became the first black woman to become the Daily News truck driver. She has walked the nontraditional trail before most women knew about nontraditional jobs. She broke the ceiling by being innovative and creative.  Her desire and goal makes her a Renaissance woman. She also introduce many women; Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic women to the world of Newspaper and Mail Deliverers Union . She also became the first woman to work for the New York Times and New York Post newspaper as their first female truck driver. Um.. What a woman! Plus, can you believe she did this before reaching the young age of twenty- five! While being a wife and mother, Arnetta Verne' Knight is what every woman wants to be. You go Ms. Renaissance Woman! You’ve made us proud! 

After the Daily News and New York Times enter into that well-known strike she was offered a buy-out, after working for them for 15 years. It must be noted that she had such great seniority; she felt she would give it up and leave so that her brothers who have families to feed and children to put through college would have a job. So she left and left a spot for those that needed it. That’s a person who definitely thinks of others.

Under the agreement that was reached The Times retained all the concessions it won in the arbitration of the last month, including the right to use large trailer trucks to distribute papers on many routes that had been delivered till then by smaller trucks, using more drivers.

The agreement provides for The Times to offer $70,000 in severance pay to any of the 357 so-called regular-position drivers, who are guaranteed five shifts of work each week, who elect to leave their jobs. The 153 so-called Group 1 drivers, who have first claim on work as the need arises, would be offered $35,000 in severance pay if they leave.

Former Newspaper Drivers Union.

When the Daily News went on strike.