Trucker Strike?
Word is some independent truckers are considering a “strike” of sorts. It doesn’t appear to be organized, it’s not union-related, and the various organizations are trying to tell the truckers to NOT strike. But I think the truckers really get it — as seen by some of their quotes.
You can tell it’s not union related rather quickly:
What I would personally like to see is our federal and state governments, until our economy recovers, suspend federal and state fuel taxes
If this were the union, they’d call for MORE taxes on everyone and “free” cash for truck drivers. Instead, these guys really get it — they’re trying to point out that one of the big reasons they’re having so much trouble is BECAUSE OF government. And government can’t fix the problem with more government. When there’s economic problems, the way government can help is by REDUCING prices instead of raising taxes. You want to jump-start this economy? Watch what would happen if the government suspended fuel taxes! WOW! That would be huge. Of course, that would mean that government might have to spend less — that’s never going to happen, is it?
And check out the big money quote:
“Our federal government is subsidizing railroads, airlines, banks and farmers,” he said. “Meanwhile, we’re being taxed to death.”
Yup, this guy gets it. The government is giving out money to all sorts of industries — but the truckers aren’t getting subsidies. Perhaps it’s time to end government handouts. Yeah, less government spending, I know. There’s only about 1 elected member of Congress that would vote for that, isn’t there?
Popularity: 11% [?]
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High Fuel price is the straw to break camel’s back.
The build up is:
1. Nafta and UN-free trade has removed manufacturing jobs and the freight those jobs would build.
2. Big trucking firms are price fixing with up to 85% discounts to maintain market share and outlast the competition
3. Shippers and brokers, knowing freight is scarce in many markets, are bidding down the freight, squezzing margins.
- some truckers are stealing local freight by accepting these bid down runs, some for less the the cost of the fuel needed, just to get closer to more active freight markets.
4. Fuel Surcharges are like a majic hide and seek.
- some shippers don’t want to pay surcharges.
- some brokers skim off fuel surcharges that should go to truck
- some contracted owner/operators are stuck with contracts that only adjust surcharge once a month, and Feb saw a $0.50 increase in fuel prices, so they eat the difference.
5. and Independents, as a whole, find it difficult to get into some kind of fleet fuel purchase discount plan, so we pay full retail, while fighting the presure of reduced freight revenues
And finally, Diesel traditionally was lower price than gasoline, yet now we are paying $1.00 more per gallon than gasoline users!
Oh yeh, then there are the Lumper Fees….
- the Receivers of freight, (the one’s who ordered it) force the trucker to pay a fee to unload the freight they ordered…. nice scam.
I’m with you. I hope the truckers shut down for a week and shelves start to empty. I look forward to seeing government attempting to force people to drive their trucks.