OOIDA Addresses The Shutdown

Mike

Well-Known Member
Thursday, March 27, 2008 – From the Atlantic to the Pacific the price of diesel is topping $4 a gallon, and truckers across the country are running not only out of money, but also out of patience.

Calls and e-mails to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have been increasing as mainstream media outlets have picked up and reported numerous rumors about possible strikes and temporary shutdowns. In fact, OOIDA operators who normally handle about 11,500 calls every week have talked to hundreds more truckers during the past two weeks than usual.

Talk of American truckers possibly staging a shutdown is being reported around the world. In France, Agence France-Presse picked up a news story out of Indiana about how truckers in that Midwestern state are comparing the current fuel crisis to the early 1970s.

Jim Johnston, OOIDA’s president and CEO and one of its founders, also remembers the desperate days of the 1970s. He said today that even though federal law prohibits OOIDA from calling for a strike because it is a trade association, OOIDA will always do its best to represent the interest of its members whether they are running or shutdown because of a lack of compensating revenue.

“Even back in the 1970s, when we saw nearly 100 percent of truckers participating in strikes, it did not lower fuel prices,” Johnston said. “Short-term relief from the situation then was the result of a temporary implementation of a mandatory fuel surcharge.

“However, we wouldn’t see that same kind of immediate result today because in the ’70s the ICC (Interstate commerce Commission) was still in place and rates were regulated. Rates are not regulated today, and there is not a government agency that could simply institute a rate increase or surcharge.”

Not only does the concept of a strike not add up economically for Johnston and other OOIDA leaders, but there is also the possibility of threat of federal prosecution if the Association is involved in such activities.

“It’s not a matter of OOIDA being for strikes or against strikes,” said Norita Taylor, OOIDA’s media affairs spokesperson. “Jim can’t help our members or other truckers if he’s in jail on federal charges.

“Criminal penalties could be imposed, those businesses and individuals who claim to be adversely affected by a strike action could initiate civil lawsuits, and the existence of the Association could be jeopardized.”

OOIDA is taking action
OOIDA is leading the way in speaking to mainstream media on a daily basis about how fuel prices are affecting independent truckers and the future health of the industry. Taylor said Thursday morning that in just the first three days this week she handled calls from 29 different media outlets, ranging from local newspapers to national television networks.

In recent weeks the Association has assisted dozens of other national journalists with information and background details, put them in touch with OOIDA members for interviews, and even arranged ride-alongs. OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer appears almost daily on syndicated news shows.

Among the information that OOIDA staff tries to clarify for mainstream media and the general public is that increases in the price of consumer goods that are being attributed to shipping costs are not the fault of the truckers. OOIDA staff explains that the individual truckers are generally not receiving those additional fuel surcharges that are being charged to shippers.

On the legislative front, OOIDA is pushing for new legislation called the FITT ACT – Fairness In Trucking Transactions. This would call for disclosure of fuel surcharges on freight transactions and a 100 percent pass-through of the surcharge to the individual who actually pays for the fuel. Soon the Association will be urging members to contact lawmakers to support this legislation.

The Association has also petitioned the Bush administration to immediately cease the diversion of oil supplies to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and instead allow the product to directly enter the marketplace. OOIDA also asked that the administration use its authority and influence to ensure that American fuel producers and refiners cease their exports of diesel and biodiesel products to other nations.

More...
 
Wanted to post more than just a small snippet of this one, just in case people wanted to respond without clicking the link and reading it all.

I brought up a while back that OOIDA was pushing to get all drivers to call Washington and demand a bill to require fuel surcharges be paid to the buyer of the fuel. This is addressed in the above article (FITT ACT – Fairness In Trucking Transactions). This is long overdue.

I think it is also good that the OOIDA is emphasizing that truckers are not responsible for the ridiculous cost of groceries right now. At least they are talking to the media about this, and giving the public a better understanding of what the truckers are facing right now.
 
Truckers are also urged to: run compliant; log unloading/loading time; set their rates to meet their costs; and leave freight that doesn’t pay enough at the dock.
If all the truckers would stand strong on this quote, we might get some action!
 
I am seriously reconsidering renewing my membership with them. I understand that they have to consider the legal ramifications but for crying out loud, I'd think there would be SOMETHING they could do. Maybe with a LARGE decline in members they will rethink their position on supporting the very people that support them.
 
I am seriously reconsidering renewing my membership with them. I understand that they have to consider the legal ramifications but for crying out loud, I'd think there would be SOMETHING they could do. Maybe with a LARGE decline in members they will rethink their position on supporting the very people that support them.
about the only thing "up front" they CAN DO is provide either low cost attorney fee's or start a class action suit against the various brokers/agents that might try to sue drivers for abandoning loads, or holding loads hostage.

this is something no one yet has even thought of, and that's "holding freight hostage", or pretty much being charged with hi-jacking..........

think about it, drivers would want to participate in this work stopage, shutdowm strike, whatever anyone wishes to call it. the loads are sitting either on trailers (flatbeds) or in the trailers (vans) and the load has already been paid to the broker by the shipper..........a signed contract (of sorts) was accepted by the driver, representing the company.........he doesn't deliver...........till his "demands are met"...........

that's holding the freight hostage..............think the law enforcement community is going to turn a deaf ear when someone files a complaint of theft, or hi-jacking....???

this might be the ONLY time the OOIDA can step in and provide legal assistance.............but in the meantime, jail, towed trucks, impound yard, legal fee's, and of course, the broker or trucking company WILL FIRE the driver(s) involved in any attempt to "steal" the freight...........

you people had better realize some of the legal ramifications of your actions...


and yes, i too belong to the OOIDA (company driver), but if i don't renew my membership next year, or others decide to "quit" the OOIDA, we all lose.................we lose future OOIDA support in many areas of trucking, especially on Capital Hill.

OOIDA HAS TO follow the law, or face federal charges, then if that were to happen, we'd have NO support.....................ever..............and the government can make NEW LAWS for future trucking organizations like OOIDA to start up again...............
 
Whoa, slow down.... I didn't say I was going to hijack freight. I am shutting it down unloaded, in my garage. I know there are companies that are booking every truck they have and then not showing up to pick the load up and I feel thats wrong, it hurts everyone and makes us look bad as a whole, as for anyone who has freight and doesn't deliver until demands are met, thats crap too. All I said was that I'm thinking of not renewing my membership with OOIDA.
 
Whoa, slow down.... I didn't say I was going to hijack freight. I am shutting it down unloaded, in my garage. I know there are companies that are booking every truck they have and then not showing up to pick the load up and I feel thats wrong, it hurts everyone and makes us look bad as a whole, as for anyone who has freight and doesn't deliver until demands are met, thats crap too. All I said was that I'm thinking of not renewing my membership with OOIDA.

yes, i know YOU DIDN'T SAY you were going to "hi-jack freight", i was using my comments as a "blanket statement" to all drivers..............

some loads too by the way are pre-paid by the shippers to the brokers.........so yes, to fail to pick up on time and deliver, will cause the broker/agent to call ANYONE he so desires, and they will..........

these are the "little things" i think that no one is even taking into consideration..

now, broker X hires trucker Y to haul a load, which includes pick-up and delivery by a certain date....

trucker Y doesn't show up.............

broker calls another company, let's call it company Z..........

compamy Z does the job through this "shut down"..........

brokers already know the shut down is going on...........replacement trucking companies bail them out.........

who gets future work, the ones who "abandoned" the shipper, or the ones that show up and do the job....??

trucker Y, not only lost the days he's "sick" because of the shut down, he loses all future contracts, because he "forefitted" his contract(s).........


like in baseball, the "opposing team" doesn't show....

the other team (that's there) wins by "forefiture rules"..........
 
about the only thing "up front" they CAN DO is provide either low cost attorney fee's or start a class action suit against the various brokers/agents that might try to sue drivers for abandoning loads, or holding loads hostage.

this is something no one yet has even thought of, and that's "holding freight hostage", or pretty much being charged with hi-jacking..........

think about it, drivers would want to participate in this work stopage, shutdowm strike, whatever anyone wishes to call it. the loads are sitting either on trailers (flatbeds) or in the trailers (vans) and the load has already been paid to the broker by the shipper..........a signed contract (of sorts) was accepted by the driver, representing the company.........he doesn't deliver...........till his "demands are met"...........

that's holding the freight hostage..............think the law enforcement community is going to turn a deaf ear when someone files a complaint of theft, or hi-jacking....???

this might be the ONLY time the OOIDA can step in and provide legal assistance.............but in the meantime, jail, towed trucks, impound yard, legal fee's, and of course, the broker or trucking company WILL FIRE the driver(s) involved in any attempt to "steal" the freight...........

you people had better realize some of the legal ramifications of your actions...


and yes, i too belong to the OOIDA (company driver), but if i don't renew my membership next year, or others decide to "quit" the OOIDA, we all lose.................we lose future OOIDA support in many areas of trucking, especially on Capital Hill.

OOIDA HAS TO follow the law, or face federal charges, then if that were to happen, we'd have NO support.....................ever..............and the government can make NEW LAWS for future trucking organizations like OOIDA to start up again...............

You are way off base again pro1driver, drivers are not going to hold loads hostage, They are just shutting down and refusing to haul a load. but you never know a truck could break down at anytime whether freight is on or not, and who knows how long it may take to get repaired and maybe the load will deliver late.

Always looking at the negative side of the issue. Just out of curiosity, and you don't have to answer this question but here goes. As a company driver how much do you make per mile? Are you satified with that rate? If you can't answer these questions honestly please just don't reply. I thought you told me the other day that you had like 20 years or so out here. If you have been here that long and you are making less than $.50 per mile i don't think that is a fair rate.

I would give upi my authority temporarily if there was anyone out there that wanted to pay me what i am worth (28years in industry) and i feel that i deserve at the least $.50 per mile to start. I have looked and the best rate i have found for company driver is around $.42 (think you have to work up to that) Just don't feel my time, experience and excellent safety record is worth less than the $.50 per mile (p.s. been late on 1 load in over 20 years and that particular load had extenuating circumstances)
 
You are way off base again pro1driver, drivers are not going to hold loads hostage, They are just shutting down and refusing to haul a load. but you never know a truck could break down at anytime whether freight is on or not, and who knows how long it may take to get repaired and maybe the load will deliver late.

Always looking at the negative side of the issue. Are you a Company Driver?
yes, I AM a company driver.............and yer point is.....????

BUT any driver not keeping with his contract can and will be in violation of his contract.........follow.....??

any driver "having a breakdown", you think the broker is going to believe this, knowing this so-called shut down is going to take place...??

and what of the driver that today FRIDAY is on his way to make a pick up for a delivery next week, but either doesn't show up, or DOES show up, gets laoded, then "shuts down".........???

again, legal issues are abound..............
 
Tuesday is the 1st not Monday

yes, i am aware of the dates, which is why i never said monday..........the driver(s) can be "holed-up" someplace not too far from the delivery or pick-up points, doesn't show up..............

i DO LOOK at the NEGATIVES, because NO ONE ELSE DOES.............

if we all looked at the world through rose colored glasses, we would be shocked when those roses turn to crap..............


you NEED negatives so you can figure an alternative plan.............

because, nothing ever works right solely by all the positives.....
 
Owner Operators/Company Owners, Some of us know how to operate our businesses and we know the difference between working for fuel and working for profit. If i refuse a cheap load (which i do everyday) someone will haul that load. But the difference here is he will be broker than me a lot quicker. I see this everyday of the week.
 
Maybe this is what we need to purge the industry of the Owner/ops that don't know how to run a business. But the other problem is that it is hurt good the good O/O's too
 
Maybe this is what we need to purge the industry of the Owner/ops that don't know how to run a business. But the other problem is that it is hurt good the good O/O's too

and this is what i was trying to say all along, but "moose" or Bullwinkle, was kind of upset that i was (and still am) negative towards the strike.........

its the shoddy or inept o/o that will pretty much be in dire straits......

many years ago back in the 1990's in fact, i did a mountain of homework trying to see if i should buy my own truck....

now mind you, i DID run a business and have business savey..........

you DO NOT SPEND MONEY........YOU DO NOT HAVE.......

simple, concept, but how many actually follow this...??

take for instance, the o/o that was a former company driver........with me so far....??

he's sick and tired of the way companies treated him, lack of pay raises, whatever...........ok.........??

he goes out and buys BEYOND HIS MEANS a brand new truck, not used mind you, but BRAND NEW..........with a HUGE mortgage to boot..........

now take same o/o, he likes chrome, big texas front bumper, big c.b. radio, chromed dashboard, stainless steel sunvisor, follow me....??

but he still ISN'T a business man...........he's still a driver high on spending money, buying on credit...............

now comes those monthly payments.............WHATEVER is due, for the month........

but, he spent so much time in the truckstop's chrome shop, he's got no money by the end of the month to cary over into the next..........


now, he "undercuts" prices just to keep moving, trying to at least catch up to being behind in his bills.............

its these guys, that right now, CANNOT AFFORD to shutdown, and i truely do believe its these drivers that are doing the most crying right now........

if they cannot pay thier bills now, then shutting down puts them (about) 2 months BEHIND in payments of all the bills.........

again, I DID run a business, not trucking, but a business, then the owner and his wife sold out and moved away.....i did not want that business, because of all the headaches i had just running it from day to day...

so yes, the "weak" will die off, making freight rates that much more attractive to those that survive now.........
its "attrition"...............
read below..............................................

Customer attrition, also known as customer churn, customer turnover, or customer defection, is a business term used to describe loss of clients or customers.

------------------------------------------------------

the drivers shutting down, face the above demise^^^^^^
 
A shutdown will help. listen to the interview from MyFox Birmingham | Truck Drivers Plan Strike over High Fuel Prices

The people that don't know about the issues we face as Owners will understand what we are doing. When you go to a store to buy something and see the price has gone up and you ask why did this product price go up, They will tell you it is the high cost of transportation. But as and owner I am not seeing the fuel surcharge, so i cant take the load.

A major issue out here is Brokers that are collecting a fuel surcharge and pocketing it then dumping the loads on O/O's that are taking these loads. But Me and My company along with thousands of others are suffering for others that don't know better.

There are many issues and some have simple solutions and some more complex. There is a solution for every problem that plagues man, if someone just takes the time to figure it out and someone is willing to listen. I have a few solutions but need someone with the power to get things done(someone in government)and is willing to listen without going in 1 ear and out the other
 
Most of the time, we (The Trucking Industry) are not as important as Big Money people. We have been the REDHEADED STEPCHILD for years now (not intended to offend anyone)
 
i don't think its just the indepenant o/o's that are not getting some of that surcharge, from the brokers.............

when i worked for an LTL company, (as a company driver) there was 4 o/o's as well. the eldest o/o would ask the others if they were getting the surcharges......they weren't....

and this goes back to the late 1990's up to 2005.............!!!!

i thought a signed contract would have pretty much spelled out the surcharges...........at least, to those guys i knew..........

as for the independants out there, i don't know why any of you are doing business with brokers that operate like this, but i can almost bet, the Fed's ain't gonna help regulate that "private" business..........

is there a "certification" or "licensing" for brokers here in the states...????
 
Most of the time, we (The Trucking Industry) are not as important as Big Money people. We have been the REDHEADED STEPCHILD for years now (not intended to offend anyone)

can't offend me, i'm bald, and never been a redhead...............:woohoo:



and yes, BIG MONEY always takes presidence over low-life's such as us..........

we brought this attitude onto ourselves, over the years.............

drug running truckers, dirty truckers, drunk truckers, speeding truckers, rapist truckers, killer truckers..................

anyone wanna support us..............?????

the public believes EVERYTHING they read, otherwise, if it weren't true, it wouldn't have been in the papers.............
 
There are a lot of brokers doing this. I deal with brokers on a daily basis and some have good rates but alot are in the Brokerage business to make quick money.

They post $10,000 bond, establish good credit, build up customers, get about $100-$300,000 in revenue then forfeit bond and go out of business. Leaving the truckers who hauled the load holding the bag. Then get this start up again under a different name.

I wish i could make $100-$300,000 for a $10,000 investment off the hard work of others. My conscience just wouldn't let me do that. Everything i have had and will ever have will be through hard work and good work ethic. Internet Truckstop has a credit board that shows the brokers and others that have done this new ones added everyday.
 
This happens and will continue to happen until someone addresses the problem. But we need someone to listen and then act
 

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