CEO DATELINE - Business groups rally behind rest break rules for truckers
CEO DATELINE - Business groups rally behind rest break rules for truckers
- April 27, 2018 |
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Walt Williams
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Trucking Associations are throwing their weight behind a proposed amendment that would overturn state laws requiring paid rest and meal breaks for truck drivers.
The Denham Amendment would require truckers take a 30-minute break after eight hours of driving, pre-empting state laws requiring the break after shorter periods of time, such as five hours of driving in California, according to the industry news site Freight Waves. The amendment is sponsored by Rep. Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and is included in the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which cleared the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday. http://bit.ly/2I2wKnN
Business groups say the national standard established by the amendment is needed to avoid a patchwork of different requirements, which have led to numerous lawsuits against motor carrier companies.
"Since our republic was founded, the federal government—not individual states like California—has had the power to regulate interstate commerce," ATA CEO Chris Spear said.
Suzanne Clark, senior executive vice president at the Chamber, made the same argument to lawmakers, according to the news site DC Velocity. http://bit.ly/2I3WQqH
Unions representing truck drivers oppose the amendment, as does the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association. In an alert to its membership, OOIDA said the amendment would allow motor carriers to pay drivers "on a piecemeal or per-mile basis." Drivers would no longer be paid for safety inspections, paperwork or any other tasks that are part of the job but do not involve driving.
"If (Denham) is sincerely interested in solely addressing a patchwork of state meal and rest break laws, he should consider a more concise amendment," OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. "The amendment being debated now is overly broad and has no business being considered in an aviation bill." http://bit.ly/2JzFFNl
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