The OOIDA and other pro-trucking organizations held a hearing to discuss challenges facing the trucking industry on Wednesday.
The House subcommittee called on Congress on May 10th to protect truckers on the job without imposing too many regulations on them. The committee says this protection of truckers should involve an increase in safe truck parking.
“Good jobs and good working conditions in the freight industry directly translate to a stronger supply chain,” said Cole Scandaglia, Senior Legislative Representative and Policy Advisor for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. “Low wages for very hard work is the biggest issue that we face.”
As part of the panel’s testimony, Executive Vice President of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association asked other industries to try to get work done in the conditions truckers are subjected to, reported KIRO 7.
“I would actually like to see you or your colleagues try to get any work done if you didn’t have a safe place to rest at night,” said William Pugh, Executive Vice President of Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “If you showed up here for work at 9 am in the morning, were not allowed to do anything until early afternoon, all while not being allowed to use the restroom or being paid for that time you wasted.”
Congress is currently considering legislation that would expand safe truck parking options for truckers.