American Truckers At War

There has been alot of chatter going on over the past couple of weeks about a truckers’ strike to protest high fuel prices.  Sitting at a Love’s Travel Center (aka truckstop) in Pennsylvania, I’m looking out my windshield at $4.17 per gallon for diesel fuel.  The Lebanon, Pennsylvania, LD News reports:

Encouraged by a local meeting that attracted between 70 and 80 truck drivers and supporters Sunday, independent truck driver Mark Kirsch is organizing a regional rally to bring attention to rising diesel and gasoline prices.

Among the ideas coming out of Sunday’s meeting at Esther’s Diner in Bethel Township was setting up a truck convoy to the state Capitol and possibly another to Washington to protest fuel prices. Independent, union and company drivers joined Sunday’s meeting, along with a representative from Swift Transportation.

For company drivers, freight is slow - it’s hard to pay the bills on less-than-minimum wage.  This weekend, I got yet another email from an owner/operator having to sell truck and trailer because they could not pay the fuel bill.  ATAW does not support a strike - the effects on the economy would be more disasterous than what is going on now.

ATAW contributor, Alan Burkhart, explains:

A strike would be a terrible idea. First off, most truckers can’t afford to shut down. The bills don’t stop just because the driver does.

Fourth, while independents can shut down pretty much anytime they wish, company drivers (like me) don’t have that option. If I don’t show up for work, I’m out of a job. The truck is going to roll - regardless of who’s driving it. I’ve had this job longer than ANY other place I’ve ever worked. I’m here because I like working here, and I’ll not jeopardize a good job with excellent insurance and benefits - especially for a strike that would do more harm than good.

I wish I had the answers.  Instead of domestic drilling, our government has sold out to environmentalist wackos.  We are told the “answer” lies in hybrids and biofuels - technology that is years away.  For now, the hardest hurt are the American trucker, struggling to support his/her family amid insane fuel prices.  We watch as the Fed talks of bailing out yet another mortgage company, yet it ignores the plight of those who actually keep this country moving - the American trucker…

Inviting comments from truckers and non-truckers alike.  Please keep it clean, civil and pithy.  This is a serious situation that effects us all.

RTaylor