The truckers are protesting the government’s claim that there is no money to support them. This is a ridiculous argument, especially when you consider how much money the EU has given major corporations and banks. Yet, it is the ruling class that is demanding these bailouts. The EU has also claimed there is no money to combat the COVID-19 virus, which has already claimed over a million lives across Europe. In addition, they claim they have no money to help workers or small businesses. In the name of war on Russia, the ruling class is claiming everything must be sacrificed.
The truckers are angry over rising costs and low pay, and want to be able to form a union and collectively bargain with their employers. Unfortunately, owner-operators cannot negotiate or join unions due to federal price-fixing laws. Furthermore, they are exempt from antitrust laws.
Why are the Truck Drivers Boycott?
The independent truck drivers are threatening to strike this Sunday, saying they are unhappy with the rising costs of diesel fuel, higher qualification requirements to keep their driver’s license, and low pay. Daniel A. Nibarger, a truck driver in Chillicothe, Mo., spoke to The Huffington Post on the issue. We met with Nibarger at a rest stop at Buffalo Truck Dispatch in Blasdell.
The strikers are not only upset with low wages and rising costs, but they also want to form unions that can collectively bargain for better contracts with shipping companies. While the strikers represent only a small fraction of the industry, the strikes could have a dramatic impact on U.S. trade, particularly with ports like Los Angeles and Long Beach that serve a large Asian market.
The protesters are claiming that the National Trucking Association called the strike, but the American Trucking Association and Teamsters both deny this. In addition, most independent truckers earn barely enough to cover the cost of their trucks, fuel, repairs, and other costs.
Why is There a Truck Driver Shortage 2021?
The trucking industry is facing a shortage of truck drivers. Long haul drivers are often required to spend long hours away from their families, and many are seeking other careers that give them a better work-life balance. This shortage has many causes, and the reasons for each vary from country to country. Some factors include regulation, pay, labor conditions, and infrastructure. In the United States, however, demand for truck drivers is outpacing supply.
One of the biggest reasons for the shortage is the lack of women in the industry. While women are making a significant contribution to the workforce overall, they still represent a small portion of truck drivers. In the US, women make up less than 10% of all commercial truck drivers. In China, that number is lower, but still represents a significant percentage of the industry. In Europe, women make up almost 20% of all transport workers, but only 3% of truck drivers are female.
Truck drivers are also facing increased costs. The shortage has led to a dramatic increase in truck prices, making it more difficult for people to qualify for a job in this field. As a result, some trucking companies are improving pay rates and package offerings for truck drivers to attract and keep employees. While these efforts are necessary, they are not enough. The Professional Driver Agency has released a survey that found that 81.1% of drivers would prefer a higher salary with guaranteed income instead of incentive-based pay.
Did Truck Drivers Go on Strike?
Did truck drivers go on strike? This week, an estimated tens of thousands of truck drivers are set to strike in a nationwide demonstration. The drivers are protesting rising diesel fuel prices, higher qualifications to keep your driver’s license, and low pay. A majority of truckers are independent, so they barely earn enough to pay for their trucks, gas, and repair bills.
Deregulation has made the trucking industry even more competitive, with companies undercutting each other to attract shippers. This has led many independent truckers to seek deregulation as a way to enter new markets and demand higher pay. Today, approximately one-third of truck drivers are owner-operators. Therefore, a nationwide strike by these owners-operators would be considered illegal under antitrust laws.
While the exact number of truckers is unclear, a number of locations reported slower business than normal. In New Orleans, 200 independent truckers staged a demonstration at the Port of New Orleans, one of the nation’s busiest container ports. Port Newark and other major US ports remained open to business, but some terminals reported slowing business.
What Year Was the Trucker Strike?
The trucker strike began in 1970 and lasted more than a month. At the time, the Teamsters’ union was a powerful force in the industry, and work stoppages were common. The protest caused a nationwide shortage of goods, and caused a great deal of economic damage to cities.
A small group of truck drivers shut down a highway in Houston to protest rising fuel prices, insurance fees, and broker regulation. After a three-week vigil, they met with officials at the White House. They requested that the government support their cause and work with them to fight unfair load prices and high freight costs.
The strike’s timing was particularly unfortunate. Despite the protest’s impact, the strike did not end up resolving any of the main issues. The strike was tied to a debate in the National Assembly over the Safe Trucking Freight Rates System. The truckers were hoping to persuade Democratic Party politicians to support their demands.
How Does California AB5 Affect Truck Drivers?
The new law could have profound implications for the trucking industry as a whole. For one, it will effectively create two separate labor pools for truck drivers in California. Moreover, it could restrict the availability of part-time trucking arrangements. However, the full impact of the law will not be fully known until its implementation.
AB5’s main goal is to protect workers from exploitation. The law aims to protect truck drivers who are independent contractors. However, the California trucking industry is incredibly large and fragmented, with various company types and operating models. The legislation will have different impacts on different types of drivers. Since it is aimed at protecting workers, some groups representing drivers, including independent truckers, have come out in favor of AB5 while others have sided with larger motor carriers.
The California Trucking Association has argued that the new law is too stringent and will force up to 70,000 independent truckers off the road. The association is also worried that the law could exacerbate the already existing supply chain issues. For example, it could cause a backlog at ports. Since the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in the world, AB5 could further hamper the supply chain and the freight business.
How Many Trucks are in the Convoy to DC?
A convoy of trucks is heading to Washington, DC. The first one arrived during rush hour, and the goal was to cause gridlock on the Beltway. The convoy is expected to make eight stops along the way. According to driver Bob Bolus, the Convoy is protesting the COVID-19 mandate, inflation, and illegal immigration.
The convoy hasn’t revealed its exact destination, but organizers have warned that it could cause gridlock and delays for lawmakers and government workers in Washington and neighboring states. US law enforcement agencies are monitoring the situation closely. The convoy is not the first mobile protest to take place this year. The previous one, called Stop the Tires, was a counterprotest against Donald Trump’s false claims about an illegal election loss.
The convoy was organized by a group called People’s Convoy, which claims over 200,000 members. Their banner bears an image of the Constitution. The group bills itself as a movement to bring back freedom and end unconstitutional mandates. The convoy reportedly includes conspiracy theorists, QAnon followers, and even Trump supporters. It has met with conservative lawmakers, but they haven’t gotten anything more than a temporary resolution.
What are California Truckers Protesting?
On July 13, truckers working at California ports staged protests, calling for changes to state labor laws that change the employment status of truckers. The new laws would make truckers into regular employees and require them to obtain proper insurance and licensing. These changes have caused problems for the supply chain.
The new laws also affect other industries, including toymakers. They must stockpile goods for the fall holidays and back-to-school items. They also affect the gig economy and the health and safety of truck drivers. The new laws would affect overtime and sick pay for truck drivers. The law was approved by the state legislature but was blocked by legal actions, including a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Independent truckers have blocked the Port of Oakland and shut down some operations in protest. Their protest is aimed at sending a message to Gov. Gavin Newsom. California’s labor law, known as Assembly Bill 5, would force truckers to become employees, not independent contractors. This would increase their costs, including insurance, equipment rentals, and chassis.
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