Over 85% of all manufactured freight in Georgia is moved by trucks. Everything from wood to toothpaste travels from manufacturers to your local stores thanks to the owners and operators of trucking companies like Greg Hobert, owner of Hobert Trucking. All of that may change, however, since Greg and his fellow owner/operators are now on strike.
Greg emphasizes, "I'm here because of these fuel prices, they're just outrageous, ridiculous...it's to the point where my fuel prices are more than my profit. That way, I'm working backwards. I mean, if I can't take home nothing, then what's the point of working?"
Cary Mullis, owner of CME Trucking, explains, "We used to run 5 trucks, we're only currently running three. We've had to lay 2 employees off. It's hurting everybody."
Melvin Colbert, an Owner/Operator, says, "We've got fuel prices at $4.00/gallon, and we're spending over a $1,000 a week in fuel just trying to make a living."
Approximately 30 men and women brought their trucks to Thomaston Monday for a strike they hope will spread nationally. They say 2-3 days without trucks will force U.S. politicians to take their cause seriously.
Cary adds, "It's hurting the whole economy. So, one way or another, we've either got to raise freight rates or drop fuel prices."
The protesters gathered Monday say they will continue the strike until either the government steps in, or gas prices decline on their own. They say that financially it doesn't matter whether they work or strike, because either way, they're still not bringing home a profit.
Greg sighs, "I mean, I don't want to, I've got a family to feed, but if I'm doing nothing, I'm making the same thing as if I'm working right now. Nothing. I leave home broke and come home broke."
Good catch Jammer. Edited the thread title and pasted this article here.
Little by little we can make the slow down grow and you can't be ticketed for driving slow!!
Yes you can, it is called impeding traffic. Truckers found this out the hard way in Ohio in the 90's.
I see you have o/o at the beginning of your forum,don't tell me you're an owner operator with only 2 months exp? If so there's your first mistake.Heck I have 3 yrs otr exp and i'm still a company driver and probably will always be as long as im driving a semi.If you are an O/O what made u decide on that? Was is the freedom u get as an o/o verses a company driver,was it a recruiter that sold u one heck of a sales pitch?I hear too many bad stories from ex owner operators for me to even consider it.As far as the strike issue goes.I'm all for it but as long as we all can't unite as one,it'll never happen.Afew drivers can't make any difference but ALL TRK DRIVERS CAN SUCCEED.We the drivers are taken advantage if in the worse way possible.I use to wonder why the trucken industry has such a huge turnover rate.I thought it was because of the HOS but from my exp I think its the trucking companies.Compnies and so many ppl forget without trks america STOPS.I am a relatively new driver O/O working for a company out of Flint, Michigan, knowing almost nothing about trucking, and after 2 months of driving I already realize, that I can not make ends meet at these wages. I have been listening to and talking with other drivers on CB and I believe something must be done. I thought that maybe if everyone daily between the hours of 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. eastern time adjust for your location, would drive at absolute minimum speed we could start to get the message across that we are the most important industry in the US and probably the world. I would think that O/O, company drivers, and all drivers would be able to do this without great personal loss. I also realize this is less than what really needs to be done, but the difficulty of everyone turning there trucks off is a monumental task. Little by little we can make the slow down grow and you can't be ticketed for driving slow!! It might give everyone a chance to join in the struggles we have and understand that everyone relies on trucking. Being such a new driver, I really don't have the right to complain I haven't lost much yet, but I have talked to so many people who have lost their trucks, their homes, and their livelihoods that it is obvious that these problems are out of control. The people in charge of this country don't care and must be shown that they are not the important ones. The people that work hard and actually create and accomplish a task or a real product are the ones that create real wealth. I would appreciate any comments or feedback you have. I hope what I have said makes sense and isn't the ramblings of an idiot. Have a great day. If you get a chance, please let me know that you have received this.