U.S. Department of Labor

White House laying foundation for ‘next-generation trucking workforce’

The White House unveiled on Thursday a sweeping initiative aimed at shoring up the ranks of the nation’s truck drivers that could potentially lead to boosting driver pay.

The Biden-Harris Administration Trucking Action Plan, to be led by the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Labor, is being launched in the wake of trucking industry challenges exacerbated by the pandemic that include high driver turnover rates, an aging workforce, long hours away from home, and time spent waiting to load and...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/white-house-laying-foundation-for-next-generation-trucking-workforce

ATA claims ‘major victory’ in vaccine exemption for solo drivers

The American Trucking Associations says much of its membership can breathe a sigh of relief based on updated information Friday regarding the Biden administration’s new vaccine mandate affecting companies of 100 or more employees.

“We have received indications from senior Department of Labor officials that the exception for employees who exclusively work outdoors or remotely and have minimal contact with others indoors does exempt solo truck drivers from the mandate,” ATA President and CEO Chris...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ata-claims-major-victory-in-vaccine-exemption-for-solo-drivers

Biden vaccine mandate may worsen low driver retention rates

An emergency rule being developed by the U.S. Department of Labor mandating vaccines or weekly testing for workers at companies with 100 or more employees is likely to exacerbate the already low driver retention rates in the trucking industry.

“Some of the biggest companies are already requiring this — United Airlines, Disney, Tyson Foods and even Fox News,” said President Joe Biden in announcing the new requirement at the White House late Thursday. “The bottom line: We’re going to protect...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/biden-vaccine-mandate-may-worsen-low-driver-retention-rates

FMCSA chief Joshi: Drivers will take hit from automated trucks

How the move toward driverless trucks will affect the truck driver workforce is a challenge that must be addressed whether the timeline toward full automation ends up short or long, according to the nation’s top truck safety regulator.

“We can argue about scope and timeline, but what we can’t argue about is that this a reality: There will be a major shift in workforce,” said Meera Joshi, acting administrator at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), speaking Wednesday at the...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/fmcsa-chief-joshi:-drivers-will-take-hit-from-automated-trucks

Why women are more interested in driving trucks

Einride survey reveals technology is drawing women into trucking.

Emina Nilsson is a very social person. So when an opportunity arrived in her native Sweden to drive a truck for a living, she didn’t immediately embrace it. Sitting by herself all day behind the wheel? Not exactly her idea of fun.

“I never saw myself as the type of girl who would drive a truck,” she told FreightWaves.

International Women’s Day is March 8. Click here for more information.

But this was not your traditional diesel truck. Instead, it was an electric truck that she would be...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/einride-survey:-technology-increases-womens-interest-in-trucking

Power index: Top 10 Biden appointments affecting freight markets

While almost every cabinet department and a host of federal agencies within the executive branch touch freight and supply chains in some way, these 10 recent appointees by President Joe Biden will likely figure most prominently in steering freight transportation policy as Biden’s administration gets underway. The list is in alphabetical order by last name.

Pete Buttigieg, secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
(Credit: U.S. DOT)

Background: Buttigieg began campaigning for Biden...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/power-index:-top-10-biden-appointments-affecting-freight-markets

Judge orders Western Express wage/rest-break lawsuit to continue

A Washington state district judge has denied a request by truckload carrier Western Express to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former employee who has accused the company of failing to pay him for overtime wages as well as for meal and rest breaks.

Richard Sanders, who lives in Washington and drove for the Nashville, Tennessee-based carrier from December 2019 to August 2020, alleged in a complaint filed in September that Western Express failed to pay him and other drivers the minimum wage under the...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/judge-orders-western-express-wagerest-break-lawsuit-to-continue

ATA sees independent contractor battle moving to national platform

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is expecting the issue of independent contractor status to shift from a state-by-state strategy to a national agenda under a Joe Biden administration.

“I anticipate changes from the regulatory side and executive-order side under a Biden administration, and a U.S. Department of Labor possibly led by Bernie Sanders, who has shown an interest in being secretary of labor,” said Chris Spear, speaking at the ATA’s National Accounting and Finance Council annual...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/ata-sees-independent-contractor-battle-moving-to-national-platform

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