OOIDA produces video outlining why driver shortage is a myth
GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) debuted a video dispelling the myth that there is a shortage of truck drivers in the US.
“We created this video because we are concerned that messaging in mainstream media is missing the mark on the issue of high turnover,” said Norita Taylor, director of public relations at OOIDA. “The real problem is driver churn caused by low pay and poor working conditions.”
The video, which was produced in cooperation with the OOIDA Foundation, goes into outlines why there is actually not a shortage despite claims otherwise by the biggest carriers in the industry.
“The idea of a driver shortage has been around for decades and is typically used as an excuse to push other agendas that are not beneficial to small-business truckers,” said Taylor. “With turnover numbers reaching 98% and higher, we see a serious problem that can only be solved with compensation and better treatment of drivers.”
The video features OOIDA president Todd Spencer.
“You can be profitable in trucking even with 100 percent turnover as we see all the time. No other business would be like that. It sacrifices a whole lot of things, not the least of which is highway safety,” he says.
You can watch the video here.
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The large trucking companies need to change the way they run their busness model .Most truck drivers in Canada are doing other jobs and often give up their class a license after 10 years. The Fed government in Canada said in 2006 that fair pay and better driver lounges we’re needed. E-LOGS just increase truck drivers leaving for other jobs that they are paided for all hours.
For the life of me, I cannot figure out why OOIDA stands in the way of everything that is going to make their membership more money.
I believe there is, but so what if there really is not a driver shortage. The myth of it alone has caused rates to go up and puts O/Os in a better bargaining position, and has caused rates to increase.
The same goes for ELDs. The implementation of ELDs has caused rates to increase, yet OOIDA nearly emptied their war chest to fight it. Why? So their membership could go back to the old ways of not making what they are actually worth?
It seems to me OOIDA is stuck in the days of Sonny & Will, and BJ & The Bear. Maybe OOIDA doesn’t even realize those were works of fiction.
It is probably time that the OOIDA membership started to look at the real value, and the real impact of OOIDA on their pocket books. Maybe, just maybe, it is time OOIDA had a wholesale change in executive decision making.
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The OOIDA does not push for cheaper rates but for safe drivers and Owner-ops. The drivers want the freedom to drive when they want. The same companies that are pushing E-LOGS have caught short changing truck drivers on overtime and for hours worked by new truck drivers to Canada.
OOIDA is absolutely right. The driver shortage is a myth that’s been fed by trucking companies that can’t retain talent for many obvious reasons. The same companies with arrogant and toxic management teams, are the same companies unable to recruit and retain. Pay overtime after 60 hours as required by law. Clean up the toxic culture within these companies (companies who are being rewarded from TruckingHRcanada right now despite their proven egregious corporate conduct) Start taking driver health and safety concerns seriously. Start improving driver conditions and unrealistic expectations. Retire the old boys club that is an antagonist to forward thinking and positive change. The drivers will return.