Mistreatment is Fueling Shortage of Truckers, Not a Lack of Drivers

(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters said today that lawmakers must push companies to improve wages and working conditions for truck drivers as they seek solutions to upgrade the movement of goods across the country instead of considering industry proposals like allowing teenagers to drive big rigs that would only endanger motorists nationwide.

In response to a hearing held Wednesday by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee looking at the state of the U.S. supply chain, the union is demanding that lawmakers consider the root of the problem – poor pay and treatment by trucking companies. The shipment of goods nationwide will continue to be hindered until government addresses such things as the misclassification of drivers.

“Truckers continue to be taken for granted by big business even after all the work they did to keep America running during the most difficult days of the coronavirus pandemic,” Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa said. “Opening up the industry to inexperienced teenage drivers will allow companies to take advantage of them while also making traveling more unsafe.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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