Skip to Content

Why are the Truck Drivers Going on Strike?

The trucking industry is a large one, with 1.8 million long-haul drivers moving 71% of the nation’s freight. Many of these drivers were unionized in the 1970s, but deregulation came along in the 1980s. Deregulation has not made the trucking industry particularly attractive to strikers, and many strikes have not gained traction.

Independent truckers are protesting a pending state law that will make it harder for them to operate. The law is opposed by truckers, who argue that it will force them to stop independent driving, as well as force them to pay high insurance premiums. They say that if the law passes, the costs of new permits and insurance will increase dramatically. As such, truck drivers are demanding a meeting with the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, and attorney general Kamala Harris.

This is not the first time a trucking union has struck. The Teamsters union was once one of the largest unions in the country, and work stoppages were common. A nationwide trucker strike in 1970 was particularly damaging to the economy of cities.

Why are the Truckers on Strike?

California’s truck drivers are striking to protest a new state law known as AB5 (American Business Act 5), which would make independent truckers employees and limit their freedom. This would make it more difficult to transport goods and exacerbate US supply chain congestion. In protest, more than 100 independent truck owners blocked entry to the port of Oakland, a sprawling shipping complex.

Despite the strike, Oakland ports are still open and shipping containers are piling up. Some terminals were experiencing slower business than normal. Despite the slowdown, there are still a significant number of trucks departing the port each hour. In fact, in a typical day, 20 trucks would leave the terminal in half an hour.

The ILWU’s West Coast section is currently negotiating with the Pacific Maritime Association, a union that represents 70 employers, in order to get a new contract. The previous contract expired on July 1, which led to dockworker concerns that the strike would affect dockworkers. The Teamsters union, on the other hand, represents truckers who are classified as employees. If the Teamsters union wins this battle, it stands to gain tens of thousands of members.

Why are Korean Truckers Protesting?

The Korean Truckers Union is demonstrating in the South Korean capital. The drivers are demanding higher wages and diesel prices. In response, the government has declared that it is trying to settle the dispute through dialogue. The protests, however, are not a good sign. The new prime minister, Yoon Suk-yeol, has blamed labor unions for the strike.

READ ALSO:  What to Buy a Truck Driver?

The Korean truckers’ strike is in its fourth day. The strike has triggered delays in shipment and delivery of goods. Some companies are even suspending production because of the strike. The strike has forced the government to rely on emergency transport measures. It has also caused price spikes in the freight industry.

The protests started in March. They later evolved into partial strikes in May and full strikes in Hongcheon and Icheon. Picket lines also extended to HiteJinro’s plant in Hongcheon. The company refuses to meet the demands of the drivers.

Why are Truckers Striking in California?

A major reason for the California truckers’ strike is the new California labor law, which will drastically change the status of truckers. The new law will make it harder for truckers to continue working, and the truckers are not willing to accept this. They are prepared to stay on strike for months, if necessary, until the governor is willing to address their concerns.

The AB5 law threatens the livelihoods of 70,000 California owner-operators, including many of those who haul loads for the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. According to the California Trucking Association, 70 percent of the drivers at these ports are owner-operators. According to the Harbor Trucking Association, the bill threatens the livelihoods of California owner-operators. Although the association was not involved in organizing the strike, it praised the actions of truck drivers.

In the meantime, truckers are planning to block the port at the third busiest container port on the West Coast, and they’re asking Governor Gavin Newsom to meet with them to discuss the new law. They say the law will change their business model and cause shipping companies to move their business to other ports. Virginia and Georgia are examples of alternative ports.

What is the Truck Driver Issue?

The Truck Driver Issue is a growing problem in the United States and beyond. Almost two-thirds of all freight in the country is moved by truck. Despite this, there are not enough drivers to meet the needs of the industry. This shortage is expected to get worse in the next few years, especially because few millennials want to deal with the hardships of the road.

READ ALSO:  Do You Need a Cdl to Drive a Mail Truck?

One of the major causes of the driver shortage is the lack of public roads and the resulting traffic congestion. According to the ATA, the average truck driver spends an average of eight hours in traffic each day, which increases fuel consumption and costs. Moreover, the road conditions of many areas in the United States are in poor condition and can lead to increased tire wear and deterioration.

The trucking industry has a low retention rate. Its turnover rate is about 95 percent, which means it needs to replace almost its entire work force every year. To combat this problem, the trucking industry has to recruit more drivers. This way, it can increase the supply of drivers and keep wages high.

What is Gavin Newsom Doing to Truckers?

The state of California is facing a trucker strike and truckers are calling for Gov. Gavin Newsom to listen to their concerns. They say that the controversial state labor law is hurting their business. The law, which has forced almost all Port of Oakland shipping terminals to stop operations, has also slowed down the supply chain. Truckers say that they would like to meet with Newsom to discuss how the new law affects their business model.

Protests by hundreds of truckers have effectively closed down the Port of Oakland, California’s third largest port on the West Coast. They say they will not reopen the port until Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom listens to them and changes the law. The truckers are protesting AB 5, a labor law that would force large companies to classify more independent truckers as employees with access to health insurance and minimum wage benefits.

The trucking association and many other groups are urging Newsom to delay enforcement of the AB 5 law until the trucking industry can prepare for the changes. AB5 was signed into law in 2020 and gave the trucking industry two years to prepare. Last month, the Supreme Court declined to hear the trucking association’s appeal. AB5 will make the lives of independent truckers harder and will harm the business of shippers.

READ ALSO:  How Much For a New Truck?

Why are the Truck Drivers Boycott?

The truckers are protesting the new law, which makes them employees instead of independent contractors. The truckers say if the law is implemented, they would be forced out of business. They are also worried about losing their way of life. This is a common scenario, as hundreds of thousands of people are dependent on commercial trucking.

Truck drivers, including independent contractors, have a long list of demands. They are unhappy with rising diesel fuel prices, requirements to keep their driver’s licenses, and low wages. They also want more freedom to work when they want and not be limited by company policies or by the hours they have to work.

Truck drivers who work for independent contractors are part of a minority of trucking workforce. They represent only a small portion of the overall workforce, but their actions are affecting trade and the economy. If this strike spreads to other trucking industries, it could severely impact U.S. trade with Asia.

How Much Do Russian Truck Drivers Make?

A Russian truck driver can expect to earn approximately 60K rubles a month in net pay. In contrast, an American truck driver can expect to earn approximately $8000 a month. Meanwhile, truck drivers in Belarus, Lithuania, Germany, and the Netherlands can earn as much as 2500 Euros a month. The main difference between US truck drivers and Russian truckers is the amount of pay for long-haul trucking. In November 2020, the median pay for Russian truckers was 70,000 rubles, or $950 clean.

The salary for Russian truck drivers varies depending on where they live. Atkinson, NE pays the most, followed by San Francisco, CA and Bolinas, CA. The salary for Russian truck drivers in these cities is higher than the national average by $11,506 or 14.5%.

Although the pay for Russian truck drivers is low, many of them love their jobs and would never trade them for anything. However, Russian truckers can’t complain about their low wages because they’re working for Russian companies.

Learn More Here:

1.) History of Trucks

2.) Trucks – Wikipedia

3.) Best Trucks