Plus: LAPD busts a $3.9M cargo theft ring, Nuvocargo and UPS expand in North America, U.S. moves to ease rules for self-driving trucks, Funny Freight Friday, and more.
Funny Freight Friday: Same thing.
The market’s brutal, sure, but for freight agents with the right tools, it’s prime hunting season. Here’s how they’re making it work.
Bipartisan lawmakers introduce a bill to provide overtime pay for 2.19 million American truck drivers, challenging motor carriers and sparking debates on industry impact.
Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at amending current labor laws to ensure that America's truck drivers are eligible for overtime pay. Here's what you should know about the bill:
Name and Purpose: The bill, named the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, seeks to repeal the motor carrier exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which currently prevents truckers from claiming overtime compensation​​.
Legislative Sponsors: The act was reintroduced by a group of bipartisan senators and representatives, including Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), as well as Representatives Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02) and Mark Takano (CA-39), with additional co-sponsors​​.
Rationale and Support: Supporters of the bill argue that truck drivers, as essential workers who ensure the delivery of goods across the country, deserve fair compensation for their overtime work. This change is seen as a step towards reducing high turnover rates and addressing compensation issues in the trucking industry, which are believed to put stress on the supply chain​​.
Differing Opinions: The American Trucking Associations opposes it, citing concerns about supply chain disruption and inflation.
Industry Impact: If passed, this could profoundly impact the 2.19 million truck drivers in the U.S. by potentially increasing their wages through overtime pay, which could also affect the overall costs within the trucking industry.
Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $49,920 for truck drivers in 2022. According to the ATA, the average pay for truckload drivers was around $70,000 (before benefits) in 2021.
Source: FreightWaves
@VivekGRamaswamy American Veterans make up a large percentage of the hard working Truck Driver sector which has never had Overtime. Make it so. Our hard working Truckers need decent pay not just miles. #Veterans pic.twitter.com/Fz4WClDlWd
— Juneteenth Libertarian (@Pharaoh3Stacks) November 11, 2023
Today we sat down with Karolina Plecha, a truck driver living in Norway. She shares insights on life on the road, the future of electric vehicles, and what she does to prepare for unpredictable weather conditions.
Is this trucker a criminal or just a hustler trying to stay in the game? It depends on how you look at it.
Nikola Corporation, once valued at $30 billion and hailed as the future of EV trucking, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s stock plummeted 40% today, marking a staggering 99% decline from its 2020 peak of $1,977 per share to just $0.45.
CtrlChain carriers cut admin time by 95%, process paperwork 80% faster, and get paid 4x quicker. See what’s new in 2024—and what’s coming next in 2025!
Join over 12K+ subscribers to get the latest freight news and entertainment directly in your inbox for free. Subscribe & be sure to check your inbox to confirm (and your spam folder just in case).
