It’s been a busy two weeks. The Way forward for Freight Festival was last week, the federal government is cracking down on broker fraud, and the Teamsters union continues to be unionizing latest trucking firms (when its president isn’t busy entering into potential fistfights with a certain Oklahoma lawmaker …).
On Nov. 9, lawmakers in each the House and Senate introduced laws that will remove the clause within the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 that exempts motor carriers from providing additional time pay.
It could be a boon for truck drivers who work at trucking firms, however it’s unclear how it will affect the roughly 300,000 drivers who own and operate their very own trucks. As you possibly can expect, the lobbyist group that represents trucking employers has slammed this potential law.
Numerous truck drivers sent email with their thoughts on this bill, and much more left a comment on my article from last week. So, I believed I’d turn over this edition of MODES to the drivers who emailed us with their thoughts on the Guaranteeing Extra time for Truckers Act. Some comments were flippantly edited for clarity.
Enjoy!
Joshua Allison, truck driver for 21 years based in Chicago
Back within the day once I ran reefer, there can be loads where I’d sit for 2 or three days for the hundreds to complete and get loaded. I wasn’t getting paid because that employer paid mileage and no layover pay, in order that was all free when it comes to pay.
Just about any freight you’re hauling can take some time to get loaded or unloaded. The detention time doesn’t kick in for 2 hours often and doesn’t pay much. Just think if I used to be working a job that wasn’t driving and did 2 hours of free labor.
Truthfully, I feel they need to just pay hourly. There may be lots of free [labor] these employers get — fueling, pre and post trip inspection, breakdowns, and so forth. These firms can afford to pay drivers higher; they simply don’t wish to. It’s all about greed.
The value of every thing goes up and it’s going up due to greed, not inflation. Wages nowadays will not be paired with company profits prefer it needs to be where it was. “Oh, we’re doing good, let’s share the wealth with the those that make our company run — either with bonuses or pay increases.”
No, that goes to only the manager level now, which is a shame. I could inform you half the executives wouldn’t know what to say when you asked what a particular worker in certain positions do on a regular basis at their company.
Jerry McAlister, truck driver since 2013 based in central Massachusetts
Here’s what no one is talking about with regards to truck drivers and additional time.
Over-the-road drivers are paid by the mile and pay CAN be adequate provided carriers take every factor of the job and time requirements into consideration and compensate drivers appropriately.
The OT issue really plays to the local drivers who’re paid hourly.
As a neighborhood driver, based in Massachusetts, but employed by a Pennsylvania-based carrier, not only do I not qualify for OT after 40, I don’t qualify for paid sick time in accordance with MA state law because drivers and other DOT-regulated positions are exempt.
Changing the federal law that exempts drivers, driver helpers and mechanics involved in interstate transport from OT after 40 hours would allow those employees to make a sustainable living and reduce turnover in those fields.
There may be an infinite difference between over the road and native work. Current laws reap the benefits of a category of employees who’re under an enormous burden of education and liability.
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Industrial vehicle drivers are held to a much higher standard, have far more driver training and bear the burden of the massive responsibility that comes with piloting an 80,000 pound vehicle among the many increasingly distracted drivers who’re an increasing number of ignorant to the principles of the road.
The shortage of OT and paid sick time, within the local or LTL industry, is a direct contributor to high turn over.
Nobody talks about that aspect of the subject … why?
Give me one other industry, not counting the military, where the “worker” is anticipated to operate under such conditions for therefore little respect and so little pay.
Nick Lopez, truck driver for 27 years
Charge the shipper and receivers for waiting and detention time. That may fix delays. I’m at an organization now — no additional time pay. Now I’m injured. I’m bored with low cost old trucks shifting clutch. My back is shot.
Absolutely, there are lots of unpaid scenarios. I make $20.50 an hour to drive 80,000 kilos. My daughter makes $17 an hour doing steakhouse carryout. Yes, I’m pissed.
The industry is broken. We want protection. I don’t care if the products are gonna cost more. Just fix this manipulation.
Rick Wick, truck driver for 22 years based in Ontario, Canada
I’m a Canadian truck driver. The identical BS goes on here too.
Although the corporate I work for pays additional time after 10 hrs, the one reason is we’re a specialized carrier/heavy haul.
I even have pulled dry vans. The cash was brutal, if you consider the times away from home, not gaining access to a correct washroom or shower freed from charge, not having the ability to eat properly. It most definitely takes a special person. I even have great respect for these men and ladies who do it.
A variety of drivers are working 55-plus hours every week for straight time pay. In lots of cases, they’re probably only being paid for 40 hours of that. They usually wonder why there’s an issue within the trucking industry.
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