Truck Shutdown a Distinct Possibility

Internet sites, CB radio traffic and truck stop talk is awash with discussions supporting a truck shutdown on April 1. Previously it had been suggested that May 1 was an appropriate date, but many small companies and independent owner-operators are hurting now and another month will only exacerbate an already intolerable situation where high fuel costs and industry associated issues are squeezing the truckers out of business or forcing them to work for "fast food wages" that will not support their families. What was only gab a week ago about the possibility of a truck shutdown seems to be growing legs and several companies are vowing that a truck shutdown will occur very soon.

The blogs and entries on sites like http://www.truckertotrucker.com/, http://www.uscattlehaulers.com/, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association blog at http://landlinemedia.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-doesnt-ooida-call-for-strike.html point to the strong possibility of a truck shutdown.

For clarity I have made minor editing changes to the following open letter to truckers from Dan Little the owner of a tucking company.

OPEN LETTER TO ALL TRUCKERS

Some are asking what date is the truck shutdown and what will happen ?

Here's the what, why, and when of it.

The reason for this shutdown is not to hurt this country in any way shape or form. But is in fact a peaceful method of sending a message to Washington, D.C. that we do indeed need help and our industry is the backbone of life in America as we know it.

The why of it covers issues that you and I as truckers, both owner-operators and company drivers face on a daily basis.

These problems range from excessive regulations to federal and state fuel taxes, excessive Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations on non-safety related items and excessive insurance premiums. The list goes on and on.

The when of it is April 1, 2008 (see www.uscattlehaulers.com). I and several others picked that date for a reason. April 1 is Aprils Fools Day, that being said, we as an industry are going to
send a strong message to the otherwise FOOLS in Washington, D.C. that "enough is enough"

We Will Be Heard.

I and Thousands of you have been telling people for years now that a change needed to take place.

Well, here's your chance to Stand Up for Yourself and let The World know We will Stand Strong. "one for all and all for one"

Thank You and GOD Bless each and everyone of you,

Dan Little
Little & Little Trucking LLC

Little claims on his website that over 400 tuck companies will support the truck shutdown and information on the Internet suggests that several major trucking companies with very large fleets are on the verge of joining the effort. Little also claims that Senator Clinton's office has contacted him seeking details about the potential for a truck shutdown.

Little has posted a specific agenda that he wants the government to focus on.

1. Suspend all federal and state fuel taxes until such time that this economy is back on its feet.
   
2. Create a federal oversight committee to oversee insurance premiums charged for Class 8 truck Insurance
   
3. Stop allowing large trucking fleets to self insure. This would make a more level playing field for all trucking companies.
   
4. Federal regulations for brokers and shippers that are enforced, with set maximum amounts they can charge.
   
5. Standardized fines from coast to coast for safety violations. In other words if a log ticket cost $50 in Missouri then a log ticket in California should only cost $50.

There certainly seems to be a couple of these issues that could be resolved, although government moves slowly and the mechanisms that control interstate commerce and state taxes are complex and would certainly engender significant controversy. Nevertheless, it appears that if this truck shutdown were to occur, it might focus attention on some important trucking issues.