Who Represents Truck Drivers Part 2

I'm creating this as a new blog post rather than just a reply to the comment below to a previous post on the same subject.

Anonymous said...

I have read your article which I find very interesting but the thing about who represents truck drivers is the same the world over,

Only the truck drivers can represent themselves, and I'm not talking unions here, to me unions are a wast of time and money,

Drivers need to organize themselves into a CDL Drivers co-operative and have their own representation nothing more nothing less.

That is the only way your voice will be heard.

My previous blog post does not endorse the Teamsters or any other Union or their policies. It's merely that this is an organization that has the capabilities and resources to create a voice that has some teeth behind it. So many times in the past well meaning individuals and small groups have tried to create an effective voice to represent CDL Drivers, but have failed as they don't have the ability, resources, organization or funding to recruit membership to form a strong lobby.
I think you'll agree that an idea is worth nothing unless acted upon.

Sure you or I could put out a strong appeal for some sort of collective voice, but remember in this country we have the best political and judicial system that money can buy. The ATA representing the companies has a strong voice and political clout as they have the resources and connections to be heard. OOIDA has a good membership but sadly lack the resources to effect political change. So we're back to square one. We all know what needs to change, but being a very individualistic group of people, not willing to give up that freedom we cling to, it makes it hard to cede any control to a single authority to represent us.

Now having said that, I feel there are only three possible solutions.

1. Teamsters need to get back to their core purpose and represent the truck drivers. It seems anymore they are more interested in hamburger flippers and cleaning ladies. But there are negatives, because of their past reputation and image.

2. OOIDA needs to put on a massive recruiting campaign to bring others into their organization other than owners and operators. They've created an image that they are only interested in OO's. I don't think that's true, but remember perception is reality if uncorrected.

3. We create an organization where every CDL driver pays, say a membership of $10.00 per year which would build a war chest of about $30 million dollars a year to hire lobbyists and contribute to the campaigns of effective politicians at the State and Federal level to understand our concerns. Sounds good, but who's going to get it off the ground?

Of the 3, the only one that I think could have any impact would be a concerted effort by OOIDA to build it's base, become more political and stop the runaway infringements on the people who actually make the transportation industry thrive, the drivers who do the work.

OOIDA probably could care less about my suggestions but here they are anyway.

1.Create a database of every CDL license in the US.

2.Do a massive mailing to all on the list outlining their membership and political goals that benefit truck drivers.

3.Set up recruiting booths at every truck stop in the country.

4.Contests for membership to bring in new members. Top prize a new truck, cruises, trips, etc...

5.Ads in every trucking magazine.

6.Engage the services of the most powerful lobbying groups at the Federal and State level.

7.TV ads telling the story that without trucks America wold come to a complete standstill. I have some great storyboard ideas on this.

8.This goes along with number 7. More face time on TV and talk shows. This is where impressions are made and opinions are formed. Truck drivers have a bad image and anytime there is a negative about the trucking industry it's all over the news. Where are the stories about the good drivers, the ones who make a positive difference in peoples lives?

I'll step off the soap box and let some others have a go at it.

Enjoy the day

Flat Tire