National trucker strike on April 1 2008 (not an April Fool's joke)

I'm an owner operator. Some of you made comments to just quit. Well, I wish it was that easy. With a new truck there are payments, if I was to sell, it would be at a great loss. Than, trying to find a job in a market which is looking as bleek as our economy isn't promising. Its getting harder everyday to take that morning ride to a truck that is losing money every time it leaves the yard, but I have too. Why? Kids need to be fed, bills need to be paid (ha ha). Like Rod in Canton said "never until now have I not paid bills". Well, we all do what we have to, too survive until now, now we are in survival mode. I've read numerous articles on the internet on all the truckers across our great nation closing shop, and going bankrupt (which really helps our economy) and think will that be me next, not if I can help it. I am supporting the strike and will be parked like many others. Whats the worst thing to happen. I will save about $1000 in fuel. Hope others follow.

If your already going broke why wear out your body and equipment, park it.

Nobody can seem to make a decision on what you are striking for, higher paying loads or lower prices for fuel much less what day to strike on. Some web sights say April 1st, some say April 25th. The only way to raise freight rates is to say no when your dispatcher calls you with a $1.20 mile paying load. Works for me. I dont feel like shutting down my profitable business just because you are afraid to tell someone no, and maybe sit a and wait for a better paying load. As far as fuel costing too much its because your great president is spending $12 billion a month in Iraq devalueing the almighty dollar so its even worth less than canadian money,if he keeps spending money that the U.S. doesnt have it will soon be less than a peso. Wake up and stop putting your problems on someone else. Sure make a stand on April 1st or 25th but stand up to your dispatcher or your broker.

D0 We really have any choice except to strike? Brokers keeping to much money. Fuel prices at 4.00 a gallon or more. We have always payed our bills, raised our sons on money made from trucking but right now there is no money left. A breakdown is more propfit then you made in a couple weeks, fuel has more then doubled in the last couple years. The price per mile seems to be dropping, so why not strike, we will at least save the fuel money that week. Hopefully I strike will wake up everybody to the problem that we are faceing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scott in Jenera, Ohio said: Nobody can seem to make a decision on what you are striking for, higher paying loads or lower prices for fuel much less what day to strike on. Some web sights say April 1st, some say April 25th. The only way to raise freight rates is to say no when your dispatcher calls you with a $1.20 mile paying load. Works for me. I dont feel like shutting down my profitable business just because you are afraid to tell someone no, and maybe sit a and wait for a better paying load. As far as fuel costing too much its because your great president is spending $12 billion a month in Iraq devalueing the almighty dollar so its even worth less than canadian money,if he keeps spending money that the U.S. doesnt have it will soon be less than a peso. Wake up and stop putting your problems on someone else. Sure make a stand on April 1st or 25th but stand up to your dispatcher or your broker.

I'm not putting my problems on anyone. I think you're on another planet. Its everything that goes on with trucking. Yes, fuel being the major part, but also rising costs of insurance, tolls etc. One day you will wake up. I've been in the Transportation industry along time as a dispatcher and an O/O. I understand both sides of the fence. This is by far the worst times I've seen in a while. I got my truck serviced at a local Peterbilt dealer this morning only to walk in on a gloomy conversation. The service rep said this would be his last day that he along with 14 of his co-workers are being laid off. I guess I'm puttting my problems on them and all there families and all the related jobs that go along with theirs, form the parts supplier all the way down. Go ahead keep refusing loads and see where it gets you. As I said, I was a dispatcher and when you get a bad name for yourself you will not get to far. So I guess I'm putting my problems on everyone in the industry.

God Bless you guys! I was a logistics consultant before the war in Iraq. I am still on active duty. What we are seeing in this country is a complete lack of respecv for the workomg man, both Military and Civilian. If those in congress cannot see the problem, make them!! I support you 100 percent and will stand behind you whn my coworkers start complaiing about empty shelves. I have see REAL empty shelves during my deployments and do not want to see this country go down the same toad as them.

My family will pray for all of you. Best wishes to you and your families.

We in West Virginia pay 51.26 cent in tax on every gallon of gas of diesel. The oil companies and gas companies are getting richer along with Bush every day. It is up to the ones that keep the economy going to get the price of fuel to come down by not moving. I have dump trucks it cost 488.00 day per truck to fuel up. Nobody is going to give me the money it takes for me to make a profit. Come Tuesday SHUT-ER-DOWN These people say they cant make it if they stay out of work for very long, they must be making more money than I am. We have to shut down there is no other way. Please be with us

1 there is no shortage of drivers if so there would be great pay 2 raise your rates 3 if you arent making any mony quit griping go get a better job 4 every body griping about fuel every body still runs their truck 24 hours a day 5 aux packs for heat and air have been out for years ive had one for the 17 years ive been trucking im in the moving industry if you cant make any money then do something else when there truly becomes a shortage of drivers the rates will sky rocket but that wont happen there are to many people willing to work for pennies teams splitting 37 cents as long as people take thoes jobs nothing will change just like the the last strike oh when was that YEA thats my point.

My husband works for a 24 hr road service that mainly only works on Semi's , He runs Down the east coast in Florida on I-95. My husband pays his full fuel cost , for running his truck, which is any where from $200 to $300 a week. So I understand the rising fuel costs and how it is hurting everyone. It is hurting us as well. But he has to run his truck , to go service trucks that are broke down on the road or need tire change. He has to run his truck to pay for the roof over our 4 children and to feed our four children. This strike may put a hurting on us as well. No trucks on the road means no calls for service. Which in turn means no money to pay our bills etc..I understand what the reason for this strike is, but at the same time can truckers afford to do this strike??? Strikes have happened before for this same reason when diesel was only at $2.59 in September of 2005. This was some of the article I found at: www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46207

((((In 2005 , On Aug. 19 a group of independent truckers formed a 15-truck convoy and drove through Santa Maria, Calif., to protest the rising cost of diesel. And in Florida, a loose group of owner-operators, company drivers and small fleets is trying to jumpstart a nationwide trucking strike Oct. 31, in hopes of getting the federal government to put a cap on fuel prices. The effort in Florida also involves delivering petitions to Congress calling for lower fuel prices, mandatory freight rate hikes, and equal speed limits for trucks and cars. The petitions are scheduled to be delivered to Congress Oct. 17.
"Almost everything moves by truck across this country, and it won't take very long for our merchants' shelves and gasoline storage tanks to empty, resulting in serious shortages in food and fuel. So, be prepared."))))
Did the fuel price drop after this , ?? NO Did it make a change that they really listened to???
If only the Owner Operators shut down then it won't do much.

I am not into the violent bodily harm to anyone BUT I will not back down from a fight.I will stand and fight the good fight with all my trucking brothers untill we get results.I'll even do it for those that are too chicken shyt to stand with us because we will all benefit.

Christina Broker said: My husband works for a 24 hr road service that mainly only works on Semi's , He runs Down the east coast in Florida on I-95. My husband pays his full fuel cost , for running his truck, which is any where from $200 to $300 a week. So I understand the rising fuel costs and how it is hurting everyone. It is hurting us as well. But he has to run his truck , to go service trucks that are broke down on the road or need tire change. He has to run his truck to pay for the roof over our 4 children and to feed our four children. This strike may put a hurting on us as well. No trucks on the road means no calls for service. Which in turn means no money to pay our bills etc..I understand what the reason for this strike is, but at the same time can truckers afford to do this strike??? Strikes have happened before for this same reason when diesel was only at $2.59 in September of 2005. This was some of the article I found at: www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=46207
I am a company driver when the commodities we haul are no longer being bought by the consumer due to higher cost in energy not only on shipping it but by the other cost increases passed off to the consumer along with taxes they can not afford the commodity, they don't buy it we end up without hauling that commodity, we don't haul your husband gets no service calls. If you can not afford to shut down that's tells the story pretty well that the Average American Consumer do not have capability to with stand higher prices, they will stop buying goods of some kind, that's freight and our jobs.

starhauler in Newark, Ohio said:

I understand It's everyones jobs on the line..because of the rising cost of everything, everywhere, I pay $4.79 for a gallon of milk, I have to buy 4 gallons a week. Thats expenise when you feeding 4 children plus 2 adults.
I agree that something has to be done , But what I am saying Is how are you going to get the The other trucks who are not owner operators to join the strike. alot of them don't pay for there fuel and they run the gas trucks etc.. If only 1 handfull does this strike it won't make a difference but two handfuls could. remember the two heads are better then one.

My friend is a trucker and she says its hard making money out there. She told me an easy way of losing weight buy fuel or eat hum..... FUEL. She dont go home much, she doesnt even take a vacation like most people I know, boy.. does she need one she is so burned out from running so much to make money for bills and etc. I'm all for this STRIKE GOOD LUCK GUYS AND GOD BLESS

It may only take a handful to get noticed and heard. Look at some of the greats. I'm not black, but look at Martin Luther King, one man, a great man who made a difference, George Washington, JFK, Thomas Edison. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Only a handful to represent the two handfuls.

Christina Broker said: I understand It's everyones jobs on the line..because of the rising cost of everything, everywhere, I pay $4.79 for a gallon of milk, I have to buy 4 gallons a week. Thats expenise when you feeding 4 children plus 2 adults.
I agree that something has to be done , But what I am saying Is how are you going to get the The other trucks who are not owner operators to join the strike. alot of them don't pay for there fuel and they run the gas trucks etc.. If only 1 handfull does this strike it won't make a difference but two handfuls could. remember the two heads are better then one.

In the job that you have with your company are you being given the option to strike or will or can you lose your job if you are not working on the 1st??

i strongly support this strike and hope that this strike will not only lower fuel cost. but also grocery cost. something has something has got to be done i will be supporting this and plan to take action somehow. but my dad drives for carty & carty and the company he hauls for has said they are going to try to drive through it. i just want to know if there is going to be harm in those whose companys force the drivers to drive through the strike.

larry king in Albany, Georgia said: Is any of the major trucking companys talking about a strike?If everybody in the United States wouldn't purchase a gal.of gas or diesel in couple of days then the profits to Exxon wouldn't be in the billions this quarter and maybe this would start squezzin on somebodys nuts until something is done!This price GOUGING is affecting everybody in this country from the truckers,farmers and the average working people trying to get to there jobs everyday.Since diesel fuel is a bi product and not refined then the production cost should be less than gas,so why are we pay .80 cent a gal. more than unleaded then?Diesel use to be 50 cent a gal. less a gasoline about 4-5 years ago.This is something I would like to get an answer on.

yes larry i heard from a source that jb hunt and schiender are planning to go with the strike

phil in Atlanta, Georgia said: so why do you do it??? QUit

What do you do Phil? why don't you quit? jerkoff!! This is what we do and know and have done for years. If you haven't noticed their aren't many other jobs out there that don't require a college degree!! how many drivers do you think have degrees or have the time and money to ubtain one? Why don't you thnk before you start asking stupid questions?

I am torn about this shutdown. Trucking is our livelihood also, but we are big company drivers. You answer to the man when you aren't an owner operator. My husband told me about the shutdown when he came in yesterday from his last run. Although we support our brother drivers we will not be able to shut down without serious reprecusions. I know my husband wants to join and show his solidarity but can't. The violence that I have read about in this forum scares me. I was just a kid in the 70's but I know how bad things can get. My dad was an independent coal miner in Pa when the United Mine Workers had their strike. He had to keep working or we didn't eat. I remember the violence that occured then. Please try to remember that some of us have our hands tied by the man the same way yours are tied by the government. Please try to keep this shutdown peaceful.

on one of your comments someone said that they cant afford to strike well i say we cant afford to not strike.i have been in the industry for 35 years and i have never seen it as bad as it is now two weeks ago i gave notice to the carrier i was leased to that i was all tru. i am now making up my mind wether or not to let the truck go back. i am all for this strike as you have heard some people think this is a waste of time i happen to belive if it only gets the attention of the goverment to start to help and listen it will have done its purpose. after we get their attention then hopefully OIDA and OBAC can talk for all of us and get things fixed. remember we have strength in numbers and if we all joined these and other associations we would not be in this trouble. we have to do this but please do it safely

Well Larry from Georgia all though your view on this is correct.Exxon & Mobil are big companys that wouldn't be much off an impact to do the trick of getting the message across.So far many people aren't already buying gas due to risen gas prices.But for things to really take an affect people need to start puting pressure on these companys,there local congress men & women.Contact your local newspaper & news station letting them know your views on this.The more people start calling and making phone calls and stop buying gas & diesel the more of a squeeze these companys will feel.This puts pressure on the companys,Bush & each state offical.I have many saying that food prices are going to raise because of the stike.The truth is not just food prices but many other things like hay would go down.Due to the fact they aren't getting there deliverys.You are right this does affect the little people as well.Even road construction would slow down or stop.Many construction workers have to travel a great distance to the job site. Then have to drive up and down the roads to put up signs,cones,and barrels all day.I don't recomend making threats though when you do make these calls!! Not unless you plan on having a short vacation behind bars.Good Luck!!!

Christina B/ Palm Coast florida said: In the job that you have with your company are you being given the option to strike or will or can you lose your job if you are not working on the 1st??

First of all it is not a strike, it is a protest! The company I drive for has to deal with fuel prices , freight prices, on a very demanding basis. They to are consumers even individually. Even my company gets screwed by undermining of freight rates by the biggies that pay their drivers .32 a mile and weeks out away from home! I told my office manager I believed as a American I felt it as my duty to protest. I gave them a choice I take the 1st off or they have notice I will be going elsewhere. With a shortage of over 200,000 drivers having a clean CDL with experience finding another employer is not difficult. IF THERE IS STILL FREIGHT TO HAUL! I guess I am lucky I deal with veterans not paper pushers that have never believed in America. I have the 1st off. I plan on being at a truck stop on the 1st my girl friend in tow (not a 53' trailer) with a T Shirt saying you see me driving truck today?

Wow, striking is great. Make sure ya'll tune into the morning shows asap, then be sure to hit the soaps, Jerry Springer and Opera.

You will be back on the road first thing next morning. What a bunch of babies.

American Equipment Leasing LLC in Greensboro, North Carolina said: Wow, striking is great. Make sure ya'll tune into the morning shows asap, then be sure to hit the soaps, Jerry Springer and Opera.

You will be back on the road first thing next morning. What a bunch of babies.[/QUOT

I doubt any company would make a post of this sort. But on the other hand I could see where someone with a motive that might like to take a swipe at American Equipment Leasing would make such a comment!

Obviously your the baby. Keep paying the ever increasing prices that every consumer in this country is paying. Have you been to a store recently? There isn't a single item that hasn't risen, and thats only the start. So go ahead keep dishing out those dollars and calling us all babies. It has to stop and stop now. Not only are our prices for fuel, insurance, tolls and all the hidden cost and DOT regugulations most don't understand keep rising. We too are consumers and are getting it at both ends. How would you like it if you went to work and at the end of the work week got a pay check that was half or less of what you were use to making. Well that is happening to most of the Owner Operators. Break down once in a week and your whole week is shot. Go ahead and keep calling all of us babies when in fact you are the baby sitting back watching this all happen.

I WILL,GO ON STRIKE TOO,COUNT WITH ME BROOKERS ARE MAKING A KILLING WITH AUR LOADS EVERY DAY ,DRIVERS STOP TAKING CHEAP FREIG.

Vince in Bound Brook, New Jersey said: Obviously your the baby. Keep paying the ever increasing prices that every consumer in this country is paying. Have you been to a store recently? There isn't a single item that hasn't risen, and thats only the start. So go ahead keep dishing out those dollars and calling us all babies. It has to stop and stop now. Not only are our prices for fuel, insurance, tolls and all the hidden cost and DOT regugulations most don't understand keep rising. We too are consumers and are getting it at both ends. How would you like it if you went to work and at the end of the work week got a pay check that was half or less of what you were use to making. Well that is happening to most of the Owner Operators. Break down once in a week and your whole week is shot. Go ahead and keep calling all of us babies when in fact you are the baby sitting back watching this all happen.

I am a company driver also a consumer such as yourself. We all are getting screwed even the commuter in a four wheeler doing 100 miles a day trying to work instead of living off welfare! When commodities out price the consumer commodities cease to be hauled by either a company driver or a OO

doesn't anyone feel sorry for the lumpers you are putting out of work next week. how are they going to make their bmw payments

Everyone, I work for a broker. Please know that those I work with sympathize with your situation. We aren't all bad. I've visited many of our carriers at their homes, yards, and even gone to ballgames with them. One of my local guys had me come to his grand-daughter's birthday. Our hands are tied by our customers. I support the strike. We have one customer that ships over 60 loads per day from one warehouse. Let it sit! It will benefit us all.

Christina B/ Palm Coast florida said: In the job that you have with your company are you being given the option to strike or will or can you lose your job if you are not working on the 1st??[/QUOTE

My husband had an idea for this comment he was telling everyone on the CB yesterday. If you are worried about losing your job on the 1st for the strike than go to the hospital and get a DR's excuse for the week then the companies can not fire you!!! i know it is an added expense but so is everything else!!!!

starhauler in Newark, Ohio said: First of all it is not a strike, it is a protest! The company I drive for has to deal with fuel prices , freight prices, on a very demanding basis. They to are consumers even individually. Even my company gets screwed by undermining of freight rates by the biggies that pay their drivers .32 a mile and weeks out away from home! I told my office manager I believed as a American I felt it as my duty to protest. I gave them a choice I take the 1st off or they have notice I will be going elsewhere. With a shortage of over 200,000 drivers having a clean CDL with experience finding another employer is not difficult. IF THERE IS STILL FREIGHT TO HAUL! I guess I am lucky I deal with veterans not paper pushers that have never believed in America. I have the 1st off. I plan on being at a truck stop on the 1st my girl friend in tow (not a 53' trailer) with a T Shirt saying you see me driving truck today?

I have written on my car windows......WE ARE ON STRIKE TRUCKERS UNITE AND I AM MAKING A SIGN RIGHT NOW TO POST UP AT THE PILOT AND FLYING J ON 37 AND 71 IN DELWARE. STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!

buzz lightyear in Angier, North Carolina said: doesn't anyone feel sorry for the lumpers you are putting out of work next week. how are they going to make their bmw payments

If people stop buying commodities lumpers will not have loads to handle! Perhaps the lumpers whose wages are being destroyed through energy prices would agree Congress need to address the issue effecting all normal woking Americans!

We stand together we can make a difference. Send a message to washington let them know we have had enough.

we not only have to send a message to washington but to ottawa let all of north america know we meen bussiness and need help

We are getting ready to lose our house--our neighbor 3 doors down, also a truck driver called this am to chow we are doing. He said he is covering his truck expenses and NOTHING else. He is currently in St Louis and knew nothing of the strike. How do we make all truckers aware of the strike? In response to some of the ignortant comments I have just read, how do you just quit trucking and get another job? Where do you propose these drivers go? They need REAL jobs, Mc Donalds isn't going to pay the bills. Yes, it has become a nasty business, but it's all some of us have at this point, and if we don't succeed at it, our personal lives will suffer tremendously. Get out? LOVE TO!!! Let me know who's hiring and paying generous salaries and I'm there. In the mean time, I have to make this work, I have to fight for it--I don't have a choice. Something must be done now, or we are all in trouble. I wish I could say I knew what the answer is, but I don't. We all have to band together and make sure our voices are heard!

There is no way we can let this sh*t keep going on. If we do we'll be broke anyway so why not stand up for our rights.

That's right, we are already going down in flames as it is--how much will a strike really hurt us?

I mean whats the worst that can happen, we'll actually save money.

you got that right if we dont run at least it costs us nothing

Deltona Trucker said: We are getting ready to lose our house--our neighbor 3 doors down, also a truck driver called this am to chow we are doing. He said he is covering his truck expenses and NOTHING else. He is currently in St Louis and knew nothing of the strike. How do we make all truckers aware of the strike? In response to some of the ignortant comments I have just read, how do you just quit trucking and get another job? Where do you propose these drivers go? They need REAL jobs, Mc Donalds isn't going to pay the bills. Yes, it has become a nasty business, but it's all some of us have at this point, and if we don't succeed at it, our personal lives will suffer tremendously. Get out? LOVE TO!!! Let me know who's hiring and paying generous salaries and I'm there. In the mean time, I have to make this work, I have to fight for it--I don't have a choice. Something must be done now, or we are all in trouble. I wish I could say I knew what the answer is, but I don't. We all have to band together and make sure our voices are heard!

Iguess if we cant get the word out. When everybody sees all the trucks on the side of the road, the CB's work they will find out. We have to stay together to stay in business. Its a shame that we live in a country that would let this happen

we need everyone to get on the band wagon so lets get the word out we need a good showing to let them know we need help like the farmers etc

I thought I already posted this but it never showed up, so forgive me if it ends up appearing twice. An elderly relative of mine watches cable news channels all day. He said he has not seen anything about the truckers hardships and would know nothing about it if it weren't for me. I went to www.foxnews.com and clicked on the O'Reilly Factor tab at the top. Once you do that, there is a box at the left side to send in news tips. I asked if anyone plans on covering the pending trucking strike and pointed out that it needs to be brought to the nations attentions. I encourage everyone to do the same. It only took me two minutes. Maybe if they get enough comments about it they will think it's news worthy. Maybe they will brush us aside, but what do we have to lose? We must make the nation aware of this problem!

I am on that going to contct them now. Our loal station KFOR says they have heard about it but they don't think it will happen However he said they need to but ya didn't here it from him.
Good Luck to you all.

I wrote to our local station here in Ohio WBNS 10tv and this was their return statement........

Hi Rex-

We are aware of the situation and are monitoring it closely...We will certainly be reporting on any strike and impact...Thank you for writing and watching,

Lee

Lee Rosenthal
Executive Producer
WBNS-TV, Columbus
(w) 614-460-4324
(c) 614-496-9527

i aggre that all truckers should go on strike becuse of the deisel prices $4 and higher.in union we can reach our goal.

My sister works for HONDA here in Ohio they too have heard of the possible strike and have ordered extra parts in case of the strike to keep the plant running. She said she saw memo's posted all throughout the plant......WORD IS GETTING OUT!!!

I am from Colorado and I to have heard about the truckers strike. They did it in the 70's and got things done. More power to them. Without truck drivers America stands still and the oil kingdom and government pay attention. I support them 100%.

Deltona trucker, Just did what you said at Fox news. Thanks Has anyone gone to google and done a search under April 2008 truckers strike!! There is a ton of info. If it all holds together, looks like this will be bigger than any first realized.

phil in Atlanta, Georgia said: so why do you do it??? QUit

Your are a quiter and rely on others to create work for you so you can quit. I have created work for myself. A friend and I have come up with an idea that Food Lion is every interested in that will create work for the people we hire in North Carolina. Loser.