Thursday 2-25-16 6PM ET “Is the ATA the voice for the Professional driver?” 347-826-9170
There has recently been a strong divide going on within the trucking industry, one that could forever change the future for professional CDL truck driver wages. The ATA insists they are looking out for truckers as they attempt to convince drivers to vote YES on a provision in SEC 611 in the FAA reauthorization bill.
In a recent radio interview,the Chairman of the ATA, Pat Thomas, made the statement that the ATA is not only the voice of the trucking industry, but more importantly the voice to Congress and Lawmakers as well as those in charge for regulations!!
Yes, regulations! You know the ones, Speed Limiters, ElD’s, CDL training standards and Carrier exemptions!
To get to the point, a provision ( introduced in part by the ATA) is presently waiting to be approved in the FAA Reauthorization bill,. The FAA ( Federal Aviation, Administration) addresses the concerns of the Aviation Community.
However, slipped into the FAA bill is a provision hidden deep within, under “miscellaneous” which would affect the United States trucking industry, specifically the way wages are paid to CDL drivers. Among those who have placed pressure on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to include this wage damaging provision are:
American Trucking Associations, the 50 ATA-affiliated state trucking associations, the National Private Truck Council, the Truckload Carriers Association and the Truck Renting and Leasing Association.
Make no mistake, the ATA is desperately trying to get Section 611, the truck driver wage provision, in the FAA reauthorization bill!
Read more ATA urges TIC to include provision in AIRR Act keeping trucker wages low Is the ATA the voice of truck drivers?
The ATA is misleading drivers, telling them that if section 611 is not to be included in the FAA bill, that drivers will be forced to take 10 minute breaks which would disrupt their ability to maximize their “piece work only” wages …. which the industry itself has not only created, but has conditioned truck drivers to accept as fair. What they don’t tell them however is the broader part in the bill which would prevent drivers from receiving pay for all the other work they do. ( drivers can waive the breaks and just take the money)
Listen to the replay and know the truth about Section 611 and how it will affect driver wages.
Is the ATA your voice to Congress and Regulatory Law Makers?
If they are not then you must do the following:
Say “NO” TO Low Wages and Sec 611 of FAA bill (AIRR ACT) Call Switchboard 202-224-3121 for your Senator and Representative. When connected, Tell them to say NO to the Provision in the FAA Reauthorization bill in Section 611 on pages 256-258. Tell them this bill would eliminate the possibility for Truckers to ever be paid for all their time and would only assure MINIMUM WAGE for all their time. This would worsen already low wages for Truck Drivers and destroys any hope to be paid for all time.
FAA Reauthorization Bill
Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act
Title VI Miscellaneous
Section 611 Federal Authority – pages 256-258
NOTE: These organizations (American Trucking Associations, the 50 ATA-affiliated state trucking associations, the National Private Truck Council, the Truckload Carriers Association and the Truck Renting and Leasing Association.) state that the provision they want included in the FAA bill, would “clarify” the Congressional intent of the. FAA Authorization Act of 1994.
Our question is, would it “clarify” or actually modify the original Congressional intent, partly to protect drives.
And what was the intent of the FAA Authorization Act of 1994?
The Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act forbids states from enacting laws that interfered with prices, routes or service of motor carriers –Nothing about how drivers are paid! which a Federal Appellate Court agreed with in July 2014.
Remember, the ATA and others tried to get this provision in the FAST ACT highway bill under the Denham Amendment, and it was rejected. Drivers called their representatives and told them NO to the Denham Amendment. Opponents said then and now that the provision could derail efforts by unions and other trucker advocacy groups to reform things like driver pay and excessive detention time. OOIDA strongly opposed the Denham Amendment as well as their present opposition to the provision in the FAA reauthorization
If you feel the ATA represents you the driver, then do nothing and allow their lobbying efforts to include section 611 in the FAA bill, which will affect your wages.
If you do not believe the ATA is your voice, then call your representative and tell them no to Section 611 in the FAA bill.
202-224-3121
Thursday 2-25-16 6PM ET 347-826-9170 on AskTheTrucker ‘Live” listen here ‘Is the ATA the voice for the Professional driver?’
© 2016, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.
