The trucking industry is experiencing a driver shortage due to a number of reasons, including high turnover rates and poor working conditions. This shortage is affecting transportation costs, and it will also affect supply chains. One of the contributing factors to the truck driver shortage is the lack of interest in this job. According to the American Trucking Association, there is a shortage of 80,000 truck drivers nationwide. In California, there are 640,445 commercial drivers with active licenses.
Despite the shortage, there are some solutions that are making it easier to fill the gaps in the industry. One option is to introduce federally-funded apprenticeship programs for truck drivers. This plan is backed by more than a hundred industry partners and employers. In order to address the truck driver shortage, more people need to be hired and trained.
Another factor is demographic shifts. An older generation of truck drivers is retiring, and there are fewer younger drivers to replace them. The average age of new truck drivers entering the industry is 35 years old. This means that there is a serious shortage of young, skilled drivers ready to haul freight.
What is Causing the US Truck Driver Shortage?
The US truck driver shortage is not a new issue, but it has gotten worse over the past year. This shortage has its roots in the lack of young people who want to get into the trucking business. The median age for truck drivers in the US is 21, making it difficult for young people to break into the industry. Furthermore, the growth of Amazon has increased the number of trucks on the road.
There are several ways to address this shortfall. First, trucking companies need to focus on underrepresented groups, such as women and veterans. Second, they should lower the CDL age requirement, so younger people can fill the vacancies. Another way to reduce the driver shortage is to increase the number of distribution centers. This will allow truckers to remain more localized.
Another way to solve the shortage is to improve the conditions of truck drivers. Some trucking companies are offering higher pay and sign-on bonuses to recruit new drivers. Currently, there are about 6,700 truck drivers, but they are seeking an additional 500 drivers. This shortage is affecting the entire economy. As a result, the cost of shipping and delivering goods is likely to increase. In addition, supply chains will become more strained if drivers are not available.
Why Truckers are Striking?
The long-haul trucking industry is made up of 1.8 million drivers. These workers move 71% of the United States’ freight. Until the 1980s, many of them were unionized. Since then, deregulation has made strikes difficult for truckers to pursue, and most strikes have not had any traction.
The government has put pressure on the trucking industry to comply with a mandate: truckers must be fully vaccinated. The mandate, COVID-19, requires truckers to get the COVID-19 vaccine or be quarantined for two weeks. The mandate has sparked debate, and it is likely to affect trucking jobs across the country. The strike is an attempt to force the government to lift these restrictions.
Truckers have been striking for seven days. They have been protesting the cost of fuel, minimum pay guarantees, and COVID-19 curbs in China. The strike is hurting both shippers and truck drivers. The strike hasn’t stopped operations at the port, but there have been reports of violence against truckers trying to access the port.
Is 2022 a Good Year to Get into Trucking?
The trucking industry is looking up, and if you’re considering starting your own trucking business, now might be the time to do it. There are plenty of examples of startups that have become successful in the industry. One such example is Fleeting, which was founded by Pierre Laguerre before the Pandemic. The company has since received $500,000 in venture capital and continues to grow. Other successful startups in the industry include HaulPROZ and Shipwell.
The trucking industry has undergone massive transformation in the past few years. From the COVID pandemic to the growth of the logistics industry, there have been many changes to the industry. And while there are still many challenges to overcome, the outlook for the trucking industry looks good.
While headwinds will keep rates above prepandemic levels until 2022, the good news is that many trucking stocks have outperformed the market this July. While the S&P 500 has risen 7% in July, SAIA, ArcBest, and Werner Enterprises have gained more than 20% this month.
What are California Truckers Protesting?
Truckers are protesting a new law that would classify them as employees and eliminate their freedom of contract. This would force them to pay higher insurance premiums and new permits. Protesters want their voice heard and hope that state officials will help them. This new law would affect up to 70,000 independent truck drivers in California.
Proposition 22 will go into effect in 2020. However, the California Superior Court ruled it unconstitutional last year. AB5 is commonly known as the “gig worker” law because it forces companies to reclassify independent contractors as employees with certain exceptions. Many in the California trucking industry worry about the future of owner-operators. John Wiggins is an owner-operator who drives to the ports of California.
In recent years, supply chains in the U.S. have been affected by trade wars, the coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing conflict with Russia and Ukraine. Truckers’ protests last week have put the state’s third-largest port on hold for two days. However, truckers were able to return to normal operations on Monday.
Do Us Truckers Have to Be Vaccinated?
The new mandate to fully vaccinate cross-border truckers is causing a stir among truckers. The American Trucking Association (OTA) recently warned that mandates of this kind would worsen the current supply-chain crisis, which already faces severe shortages of truck drivers. The mandate would force an estimated 13% of truck drivers out of the industry, the OTA said.
In a recent email to his membership, ATA president and CEO Chris Spear emphasized that truck drivers don’t have to be vaccinated to keep their jobs safe. However, he said he was concerned about getting into trouble with his company’s boss. Therefore, he refused to reveal his name.
The COVID-19 vaccination mandate will take effect Jan. 22 and apply to all federally regulated workers. Previously, the on-road sector was exempt from these mandates. However, the same mandates have been implemented in the air, rail, and marine sectors. In addition, the Canadian government is currently preparing to impose a similar mandate on border-crossing truckers.
Why are Truckers Protesting AB5?
In California, the new law AB5 will make it harder for owner-operators to operate their own trucks, according to the California Trucking Association. The law requires them to be classified as employees of companies and is set to go into effect July 1. In response, owner-operators in California have begun protesting the bill, which is expected to slash their employment by 90%.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has backed the protesters, and unionized dockworkers are showing solidarity with the drivers. While the bill is seen as a positive step by unions, it will make it harder for independent owners to join unions. The Teamsters have been among the strongest supporters of the law and are trying to recruit newly reclassified employees into their ranks. However, truckers do not need to be members of a union to protest AB5.
The protesters have been blocking traffic in several major Californian cities, including the Vincent Thomas Bridge and the 110 and 710 freeways. Hundreds of truckers have also rallied in Oakland to demonstrate against the legislation. Some of them have also signed a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, asking him to stop AB5 before it becomes law.
What is the Best CDL Company to Work For?
If you are looking for a good CDL job with good pay, consider joining a company that offers growth opportunities and benefits. DHL, known by many different names, is a large and successful global company that operates in over 200 countries. They deliver over 1.5 billion packages a year and employ over 100,000 drivers.
UPS is another popular company with many benefits, including full health insurance. This company offers a wide variety of employment opportunities, including flatbed and van driving jobs. They also offer specialized training classes, but do not offer a CDL training program. But the company offers competitive pay rates and benefits, including health insurance and paid time off. It also offers a comprehensive benefits package and reimburses tuition for new drivers.
The TMC Transportation company is based in Des Moines, Iowa, and employs both owner operators and company drivers. This company has excellent equipment, which allows drivers to earn a great income. It also offers paid training, as well as a competitive benefits package.
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