With less than a month before a presidential election that will greatly impact the trucking industry’s prospects in the next four years and beyond, American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear outlined the greatest threats facing fleet executives during his address at ATA’s Management Conference & Exhibition in Nashville.
“We have a full agenda, fueled largely by a presidential election, a deeply divided Congress… and unelected state regulatory boards and agencies enforcing extreme, unachievable environmental and labor standards,” said Spear. “Big union bosses are emboldened, thanks to a sitting president, vice president and acting secretary of labor who decided this year it would be a great idea to walk a picket line. And don’t forget those trial lawyers, trolling our industry, swaying juries and serving up nuclear verdicts that feed their greed. The stage is set. The stakes are high. And in just three short weeks, we’ll know the direction our country takes.”
Before sounding off on the anti-trucking policies of the Biden-Harris Administration, Spear highlighted the importance of government officials and agencies to work together with the trucking industry to solve our nation’s problems.
“We understand the choices people have at their local stores, the prices they pay and why those costs keep going up,” said Spear. “And we know what needs to happen in order to lay that table, pay those bills, afford those back-to-school clothes, shoes and supplies… We know the daily pressures faced by American families, because we are those families. Our 8.5 million employees aren’t just moving goods; we’re supporting the lives of millions of hardworking Americans who depend on trucking each day to keep this country running smoothly.”
Spear also implored ATA members to engage with their representatives in Congress and join the ATA’s Grassroots Call on Washington program to voice industry concerns.
“Our contribution to the supply chain and economy make trucking the ideal partner of choice for government decision makers,” said Spear. “Commit to standing with ATA. Together, we can shape the future of trucking, ensuring that our industry remains the engine of America’s economy.”
Turning his sights on Spear recalled the trucking industry’s decades-long willingness to work with federal agencies to reduce emissions, including support of sulfur-free diesel, cutting carbon emissions and reducing oil consumption. But he blasted the current administration’s unrealistic timelines for transitioning to non-diesel alternative power.
“We need infrastructure, 40 percent more power on the grid, reliable sourcing of key raw materials for batteries, price parity… and ultimately, parity in the total cost of operation,” said Spear. “A diversified industry like trucking requires multiple solutions to reduce emissions. This administration needs to wake up, stop picking favorites and start focusing on the overall goal – reducing emissions.” Spear again called for renewable fuels for diesel engines and the repeal of the federal excise tax to assist carriers in replacing older equipment.
On the subject of labor, Spear said ATA recognizes workers’ choices to join a union or not, but the Biden-Harris administration has had its thumb on the scale for union bosses and discounts non-union employees as “bottom feeders.”
“Leadership matters, especially if you’re the president of the United States,” said Spear. “We all just witnessed firsthand why taking sides in a labor dispute undermines not just our economy, but those struggling to overcome a natural disaster. All because this president values union thuggery more than you. Allowing our East and Gulf Coast ports to shut down while thousands of Americans are reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene defies all common sense. Not one of the 65 seaports in this country ranks in the top 50 in the world for efficiency or productivity. That is not something to be proud of.”
Spear also made the distinction between ATA and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association when it comes to independent contractor classification.
“ATA remains entirely committed to the 350,000 independent contractors that support our industry,” said Spear. “Yet some industry advocates took the bait. OOIDA, for example, testified before the House just weeks ago that it now supports [Acting Secretary of Labor] Su’s federal anti-independent contractor rule. It’s no secret this rule is on every union boss’ wish list, decimating 90 years of case law and kicking clarity, certainty and driver choice to the curb. You won’t find ATA betraying our hard-working drivers… You want to win? Then you have to fight. Facts, not baseless rhetoric. Truth, not blame. Our meetings are taken. Our calls are returned. We have a seat at the table. And, folks, that ain’t about to change.”
