Arkansas sets sights on hiring qualified drivers after 279 drivers placed OOS under stricter visa and ELP rules
Arkansas is setting its sights on hiring qualified truck drivers in the wake of the recent visa and ELP enforcement that has put nearly 300 drivers out of service.
Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton says that Act 604 has put pressure on the state’s drivers to demonstrate sufficient English Proficiency and possess the proper work visas if required, but that the state doesn’t need to worry yet.
“Since June 25, they have put 279 drivers out of service for not being able to meet that requirement,” Newton said. “Our position on immigration is really indifferent to that. Like our position is, is the driver qualified? Is he medically qualified? Is he safe? Does he have the proper training and the credentials? Across the board, you see these, these efforts to try to make sure that everybody’s playing by the same set of rules.”
“From our perspective as an association, it is making sure that our employers are informed, like, what is the expectation, how do they become compliant? How do they ensure that the drivers they’re hiring do have the appropriate credentials?” Newton said.
Newton also claims that the freight recession over the last few years has actually created an oversupply of drivers, so replacing those that have been put OOS is not an issue that the state of Arkansas needs to be concerned about, reported THV11.
“The overall economic dynamic in our industry right now is one of oversupply. So our industry is actually looking at almost three years of recession,” she said, stating that this allows the state to focus on hiring qualified drivers instead of simply filling positions with whoever is available.
“We’re hiring folks who’re not afraid that there are no issues, so there is no fear in our retail stores. You know, we don’t see it from the wholesalers that we deal with, and even those that ship direct from the manufacturer,” said Steve Goode with the Arkansas Retailers Association.