Trucker Strike!
I know an owner operator and this is a very hot topic amongst them. Many are shutting down their rigs due to shipping companies refusing to pay for the increase in diesel fuel prices, now over $4.00/gal. in many states. Now there is a call for a trucker strike by 1,000 owner operators. Bush better pull his head out of his ass soon. A shut down would be catostraphic for the economy and like the truckers have stated, there is no real reason for the gas price gouging. Shell and Exxon/Mobil have had record profits. How do you do that if you are just passing on the cost? Hmm?
“In no way, shape or form do truckers want to hurt this country. My whole deal on this thing is that I’m shutting down on April 1. Call it a strike, a shutdown or just flat-ass going broke.” – Dan Little
*Oh well, the last reference video is now gone. I’ll still keep this post and comments up anyway for posterity. GF 9/12/2010
Posted in Pearls of Wisdom, Trucking
March 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
please e-mial me and let me know if this is going to be nation-strike ,we will shut our 18 trucks down. thank you. Gary Naylor
March 28th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
WE TO ARE SHUTTING DOWN APRIL 1ST.FUEL COST HAS US BUSTED,REALLY NOT STRIKING AS MUCH AS GOING BROKE!!!!! I HOPE THIS IS ALL TRUE,WE ARE WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.AFTER 15 YEARS THIS IS WHAT ITS COMING TO.A A LOT OF BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS POURED INTO MY COMPANY,NOT TO MENTION MY DRIVERS FAMILIES. GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!!!!!!!
March 29th, 2008 at 6:38 am
I am an owner operator and am sick of paying the outrages prices for fuel. the last trip I ran I spent 65% of the gross truck pay for fuel. That is a 15% increase from just a year ago, customers pay a fuel surcharge but it does not keep up with the price of fuel. I can’t afford to strike but I can’t afford not to strike either. We need to do something to show this country (Government and Citizens) that if trucks don’t run the country stops.I don’t believe the average citizen realizes how fast grocery store shelves woud go empty with out trucks.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I don’t operate a truck, but I realize high fuel costs don’t just affect truckers it affects us all. I support the strike, no matter how painfull it needs to happen.
March 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Please email me if we are striking ALL FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 29th, 2008 at 10:39 am
We’re in it for the duration, the fuel cost is insane and to keep running the truck and losing money makes no sense. April 1st we’ll be shutting it down for the week. Then I’ll be watching the news for all the officials that have said losing the independents won’t have an effect….. and laughing my butt off when they find out it DOES.
March 29th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I’m a company driver my boss said he would shut down if everyone else does.
March 29th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’m in can’t pay the bills and IRS taxing fuel surcharge!! We need a break soon!!
March 29th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Too bad the truckers can’t coordinate with the West Coast Longshoreman’s shut down on May 1!
March 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
While everyone is taking off please call your congressman @ 202-224-3121 in Wash.,D.C. and tell him to pass an emergency bill that forces all shippers & brokers to pay truckers the surcharge
March 29th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
We will also shut down for a week to show everyone the little guy is getting hurt we own 3 trucks we are going broke at 4.00 a gal and can no longer afford this insane price! we are just riding around to pay for fuel.
March 29th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
cannot stay in business anymore,been borrowing from credit cards,im striking on the first,sent me any info.pertaining to the strike,its especialy hard here in ca.
March 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I have a dump truck company and im going out of bussiness due to the cost of fuel. I have to out of pocket pay fuel bill every day and wait to be paid later by the custermer anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months. I cant do it anymore. Our rate increase cant keep-up and the custumer wont pay any more increases. IF AT ALL!!!
March 29th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I am an oo and pull containeers in the south east. Fuel is taking about 65% of all I make, then theres tires maintance and break downs we just can’t take this and stay in busnies. I’m shutting down tuesday the 1st and as long as it takes
March 29th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
So, one comment up there makes it out to be Bush’s fault… You do realize that we get 78% of our fuel from Venezuela and Canada? Of course not, let’s blame Bush!
I also love the comment about how you guys need to show “Citizens and Government” that we run off of trucks. How are gas-prices the fault of citizens? I pay $3.50 a gallon every day too, I drive an hour to work so gas prices are outrageous, they eat up my money too. Don’t make it out to be the “public” disrespecting truckers. If you strike the nation will not shut down, there will always be scabs, people who NEED a job, regardless of how much their wages are eaten up.
-Thales
March 29th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
We are O/O that cant aford fuel any more . We only have 1 teuck but we are just buying fuel not supporting a family, Please send any info about shutdown is April 1 or 3 have read much on both. We are supportivwe and do believe with unity this will work.
March 29th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I dont drive an 18 wheeler but my brother in law does,you guys do a great job getting stuff to the stores,you know the other presidents froze gas prices.But Bush just sits there and does nothing.Im with you on the strike even though i dont drive a truck,you got to make a living and these gas prices need looking into.
March 29th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Thales… theres already a shortage of truckdrivers. so scabs.. probably not. I work for a company that only gives us 63% of the fuel surcharge they get. makes it even harder for me. ive slowed down to 63mph also to sae fuel. i dont idle ie done everything to save fuel and its still killing me. im shutting down on the first for sure.
March 29th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
check out this site of intermodal truckers at the rail yards and ports in America
http://www.porttrucker.com
March 30th, 2008 at 1:34 am
I run one truck and I also provide a dispatching service to O/O across the US. I will be shutting my truck down and from what I understand, the drivers that I dispatch will also be shutting down. Thales… I also drive a vehicle and the cost is $240 per month to fill my SUV that is getting around 17 miles to the gallon. A semi truck gets 5 – 6 miles to the gallon if we are lucky and when our job is based on what we get per mile to run a load, you can see the importance of getting good rates to help offset the fuel. When a shipper wants to pay $1.00 per mile and .80 cents is going to fuel, we have exactly .20 cents to pay for breakdowns, insurance, truck and trailer payments, and to pay ourselves or a driver if we have one in the truck. As you can see, we loose big time at $1.00 per mile which is where a lot of brokers and/or shippers are still sitting in certain lanes. I will bet that you make far more then that so to fill up your vehicle doesn’t affect you like it does the trucking companies. Live our lives for a week and I assure you, your tune will change. In addition, if you have noticed, everything in the store has gone up so the shippers are taking advantage of the fuel to charge more for their products, however, they are not passing it on to the drivers and everyone should be upset about that.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:41 am
Rise and shine gear jammer’s. If you want results from a shut down, park you rigs in front of your senators and congressional representative offices in the state you live in. After all their the ones that print phony money and raise taxes on all of us and voted for NAFTA and the NAFTA super highway that allows Mexican trucks to work in the good old USA with out having to pay federal income taxes, or state income taxes and get subsidies from their country. Wake up and let congress know with phone calls, e-mail, letters, and parking in front of their offices.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I am not a trucker, but have many relatives and friends who are. A few have parked their trucks and are now driving for other companys. That is sad, because they have worked long and hard to own their own trucks.
There are alot of things our government can do to fix this problem. But as long as the oil companies are filling their pockets, they are going to look the other way. Why don’t they lower the speed limit to start. This will surely save fuel and hopefully put a crunch on the oil companies. We need to all pull together and do something. If a strike is the answer, then so be it. I’ll be behind you all!!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I recently checked the Flying J website & talk of a strike must be working. I see a lot less places charging $4+ for diesel.
Our little one truck operation will not be participating. We were down 6 out of 9 weeks over the winter with equipment problems. Our tanks are topped off & we have locking caps.
I pray that the striking drivers don’t interfere with the drivers that are still out there trying to make a living.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Great job guys, I’m not a truck driver myself but have friends who are. I want all you drivers to know you have the support of all of us non truck drivers, Our government needs to realize what they are doing to this country by not regulating the fuel costs . There’s no reason for exxon/mobil and BP to make 40 billion in profits.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:08 am
it is getting harder to make it now with fuel like it is. do we buy groceries, or medicine, or just pay for fuel???? we will be shutting down with the others when the time comes.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Ya,know I have grown up around trucks,and I have seen so many so called truck strikes.There has never been an effective truck strike in this nation,and the way I see it there never will be.I have one truck,one trailer and I agree with everything yall are saying,BUT,There are not enough real o/o’s out there to make a difference.You think these guy’s that have rented trucks (oops,I’m sorry.Lease/purchase)from some big company are going to shut down? Are J.B.,Werner,Fed Ex,Prime,etc….shuting down? What difference are we going to make?None.I understand that people are losing trucks,homes etc…I don’t plan on losing mine.When there is a true national truck strike I will be the first in line to shut down.As for right now,I am going to work tomorrow,so please let’s don’t anyone try any foolishness against the people who choose not to shut down,Ya never know what you be getting into.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Strike? Why? No cheap freight is the answer. Debby $1.00 per mile come on. Have a rate high enough to compensate for your expensives.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:17 am
WE’RE A SMALL COMPANY THAT HAS OPTED TO SHUTDOWN THE WEEK OF APRIL 1ST. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE CHOSEN NO, I HAVE ONLY THIS TO SAY, IF SOMETHING DOESN’T CHANGE WE’RE ALL BROKE. WE DON’T HAUL CHEAP FREIGHT AND REALITY IS, OUR PROFIT MARGIN IS BECOMING NONEXSISTENT. ALL OUR DRIVERS ARE TRUE O/O AND MOST OF THEM HAVE PAID FOR TRUCKS, BUT ONE MAJOR BREAKDOWN AND THEY’RE DONE. I’VE TAKEN MY CHILDREN AND BLANKETED OUR LOCAL T/S AND REST AREAS WITH FLIERS AND HAD A PRETTY MIXED RESPONSE. IT MAKES ME SAD THAT THERE IS NO LONGER ENOUGH PRIDE OR UNITY AMONG MANY DRIVERS TO STAND TOGETHER. I DON’T CARE IF OOIDA DOES IT, I DON’T CARE IF JB HUNT, SWIFT, PRIME, OR ANYONE ELSE DOES IT, WE’RE STANDING UP AND SHUTTING DOWN. PERIOD. THAT WAY WHEN EVERYONE’S BROKE I CAN SAY WE TRIED. E-MAIL ME IF YOU’RE IN SUPPORT, TREENA1@GMAIL.COM. SORRY FOR THE LONG POST, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
As an O/O, times are harder now, then when we were raising our 5 kids(w/1 left), due to these fuel prices. I am happy to see the great response to the strike – THIS TIME. Count me in; she(my truck) is outside my home window and stayin’ put for this. May God Bless Our Purpose!
March 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I think some of you fools should study history a little and remember that the 70′s strike hurt truckers more than it changed anything. Blaming the government shows your ignorance about the economy! OPEC controls the price not the government. If history repeats itself like the 70′s strike did there will be 1/2 of you doing the work after the strike. Good-luck with that! Genuis at work!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
i am a dispatcher for a local central florida trucking company
we will support a truckers strike wake up all truckers
its time we stand together we have all suffered long enough
our trucks will be parked and we
all need to shut er down make
all stand up and take note!!!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I am taking at least 4/1 thru 4/3 off regardless if anyone else is, just as a precautionary measure. Please do the same. I need change. I am an o/o under my own authority and lost $20,000.00 over a 1 yr.time span. I can not afford to do it again. I took 10 days off last week looking for decent loads during that period. Just got back from a 3 day run. Do not listen to the naysayer & naredoweller, thay are the ones who want to see us fail. Walk the Walk. Please don’t lie down and take it any longer. Dan.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Hey all you guys that are not partisipating with the strike I hope there is no violence as in the past. I would hope that you just take another day off and support the strike from home. I would like to see the others on TV parked on the interstate engines turned off like the french did at least they stick together.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
My beautiful 359 has been setting in my yard for some time now because I can’t afford to run it. I have been driving a friends truck because he got real sick and has since passed away. His wife can’t continue to operate it with the price of the fuel now. We will be shutting down this week in the strike. If we aren’t going to make any money, we might just as well sit on the front porch and not make any money. I’ve done this for over 33 years and have never seen it so bad. There are a lot of days that we don’t even break even and actually loose money. ENOUGH!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Tie for the truck companies to come up with high mileage, dependable, economical rigs. Once again, we must call on American ingenuity, so where the hell is it? C’mon Cummings do your thing!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Team, I’m still a little confused! Is there a date someone can reply as the date to sit this one out. I’m ready but I have heard so many dates!
Sincerley,
Georgia Dump Trucker
March 30th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I am a owner/operator of only 2 trucks but I am all for the fuel price strike! I think it would be a wonderful idea if all the trucks on April 1 would just shut down wherever they are and just not run for the whole day. It may not seem like much but if all the trucks in this nation did this for one day then maybe somebody in the government offices will stand up for our rights as truckers and not just for their own selves!
March 30th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I am not a truck driver, but i would support a nationwide walkout(sit down)by everyone.Our leaders in dc need a wake up call,that call is the normal joe is tired of being stepped on.Financialy i am ok,but alot of people around me are not.I truely would support a national shutdown for two weeks.The problem we have is that people will not stick together,they answer i have bills to pay,i am ok ,whatever.Blacks ,greeks ,jews have stuck together and acheived great things.The white man wont do it.
March 30th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Georgia Trucker,
It’s set for Tuesday 4/1/08. I have a son that is also a Georgia Dump Truck driver, a friend that’s headed for Brownsville, TX and know several over the road the road O/O truckers that will be shuting down. Please follow suit to make this work! Great things can happen if we all work togather as a team. Bush can’t even put a team like this togather. He’s a Presedent that dosn’t care for the little man. He won’t have to worry about buying fuel or gas ever again!
March 30th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
this is a touchy and serious subject, it takes alot to think of turning it off and just plain quitting. after all one puts into their life of trucking and what it takes away from family and such. then to go out be gone all week….after week….after week. the HIGH cost of operation (fuel) is going to take alot of us out of the business of keeping america moving. just hope it doesn’t affect the fishing, hunting and mushrooming cuz we will be living off the land, that is all within walking distance. I am all for the shut down before we go totally broke. ten four and goodbnye. P.S. Truck for Sale. 2000 Freightliner Classic Condo.
March 30th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I am shutting down 04/01/08, not for high fuel prices, but because of low rates and brokers that won’t pay the fuel surcharge!!!!!! As for those of you who think we should just charge more, when the brokers have all the freight locked up in an area and they charge $3. per mile and only pay a $1. per mile, you either haul for a $1. a mile or leave empty, which usually ends up in a 500 mile dead head which cost $750. The brokers get away with this by negotiating a truck load rate instead of paying what the rate really is minus a percentage. We want the gov to step in and put a stop to this thievery!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Fellow Truckers,
I am 3rd Gen trucker but I no longer drive. STRIKE ON! Show the oil companies and the people who push cheap freight that we wont take it anymore…One of these days I will have to get up back behind the Wheel but I wont do it with messed up gas prices…GO DRIVERS!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
hello fellow drivers.. being a o/o myself for 30 years, I agree with everything you guys are experincing because it has hit here as well as nationwide. though high cost fuel, crooked politics (cops and such), high cost maintence, high insurance, we all feel the same thing. one other thing we all share, is the ability to do what we feel we have to do. I’m sure you have all talked to dispatch and the others involved in the job you do, and the results are the same…high cost fuel and lower rates. what to do? talking is not working no one listens anymore. My thoughts are as everyone elses…we need to shut down. what choice do we have? we either shut them down or drive them in the ground. and thats not good for any of us. Good Luck, Gentleman. Wish you Well.
March 30th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hey Folks,
My husband has been a driver for a few years and we have seen a couple of these strikes. If half the drivers across the US strike this week, you will see an ease at the pumps. What is really needed is coordination of a strike. I think what a lot of people forget is that Bush promised that he would have Gas/Fuel prices over $3.00 before he stole both elections. And the people still voted for him. Bush has an investment in Exxon/Mobile and a couple more. What companies he doesn’t have stock in his Daddy does. They both belong to the big Oil Conglomerate that has Osama Bin Laden as a member. The same Conglomerate that bought out Union 76 and run a pipeline through Syria from Iraq. These are the same good ol’ boys that swear we have to replace the lines from Alaska, but 4 years ago they said Alaska was tapped out. That was after they got by with a couple of Oil spills. Bush has got this country wrapped right around his finger and some people keep buying into the bull. They will surely vote for McCain. Until then, if the truckers don’t stick together and stand their ground, the good guys will surely loose the war on Fuel. That means, kids will go hungry, families will loose their homes and what has been known as small business will be just a dream that was ( because The Small Business Administration was built on the backs of small trucking companies ). Here’s the other part. As long as companies agree to move loads for $1.00 and $1.25 per mile, that’s all any company will be offered per mile for the loads. When all the Trucking companies get together and say ” No More Cheap Freight ” , only then will they be seen as a force to be reconned with. Brokers and Big trucking companies don’t have a problem with this. And I am not trying to hurt feelings, but what is right is right. Smaller companies have the brunt of the loss when the companies they haul for want to pay less and don’t want to pay fuel surcharges. My Ol’ man is out there with all of you.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
If you voted for the idiot and criminal in the White House you deserve whatever you get
March 30th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Apparently the Gestapo is alive and well on this so called BLOG
***Admin.- Apparently, some people have a potty mouth.
***
March 30th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
The Us government has gotten a giant check from the big three trucking companies, they have not said a word because this is what they want. If the owner/operators give in then Jb and Werner can take over and hire who they want (foreign drivers) to meet the demand for the nation. The fuel prices are high because they know what to charge for fuel surcharge. We need to get are act together quick before they take control.
Besides the money that the big truck comapanies make per year have buying power from flying J,Pilot ,Petro on top of a 1.00 to 1.50 fuel surcharge.We need a trucker’s union for buying power across america.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
i am the wife of a truck driver and i am sick of it!!! i watch my husband bust his ass to get loads here n there only to see his paycheck get smaller! i am in support of whatever kind of strike takes place because it doesnt make any sense to let that devil BUSH continue to pocket the wages of hard working men!
March 30th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Shut ‘em down truckers. The “rebels” who founded this country are rolling over in their graves watching the robber barons in the upper echelon of our government rape the working man. As a side note, how about parking your truck at the nearest interstate, say, inside lane? Lets see, 165,000 trucks stopped on freeways….hmmmmmm.
Now thats a statement.
March 30th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
drive to washington d.c. on the 1st! time it so you run out of fuel on the beltway. it is time to upset the apple cart and see the where they role. it is time for a drastic change. you all know the time has come. george bush is not going to help you or any real american.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:46 am
The ones to blame on the high oil prices are not the arabs but the greedy american oil companies. The truth that bush does’nt want anyone to know is that when sadam was in power he was defying opec and flooding the world with cheap oil to get back at bush senior and the others that drove him out of kuwait. When sadam took over kuwait he also took over oilwells privately owned by bush senior and his brother in kuwait. When sadam defied opec and flooded the market keeping prices down he ticked off papa bush and his rich exxon friends. They convinced bush junior to overthrow sadam and they now have control of iraq oil which is the world’s second largest oil producer. Exxon mobil, conoco philips, and british petroleum buy the oil for 2 dollars a barrel from the new iraqi puppet government and sell it to us for $100 a barrel. I have read where exxon alone is making 200 million a day from selling iraqi oil. Our military is guarding the oil ports in iraq for the american oil companies that are shafting us at the pump. You can look around on the internet and confirm everything that I said. I hope this strike shuts down everything and causes major protests against this oil controlled bush cheney government.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:14 am
That is a great idea, Darryl has.
Kudos to you also, Mark for telling the rest of us what you know!
Great ideas/thoughts from everyone here.
LETS DO IT!!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:39 am
I am not a trucker but I agree with this strike. You guys are having to pay too much for gas and maybe if you do this the government and the oil companies will realize we can not go on like this. My families cost to get back and forth to work has more than doubled in the last year and our pay has stayed them say. I support you and pray for all of you.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:16 am
I am so for this. I hope that all of you do strike. Hope that you shut some of these big cities down. People don’t realize if it is delivered it comes by a truck. I am not a truck driver but whole heartedly support all of you. Good luck.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Not a trucker but I think it is about time we all stand up. I think the oil companies need to be tried for treason and acts of terrorism in this nation. This is exactly what the terrorist of 9/11 were hoping to accomplish and our oil companies are helping them to achieve it. I’ll be cheering you on!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:26 am
We are ready to strike. We are going broke, paying over $4 a gallon. We get offered loads for $1.15 to $1.25 per mile, no fuel surcharge.
We have 2 trucks and all the expenses that go with it.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:58 am
My plates expire on my truck April 1,works out very well with the strike, been driving as O/O 23 yrs .And I’m done, between diesel cops, high tolls, fuel prices,low linehauls, and the costs of eating on the road, time lost from families,ect,makes it not worth my valuble time…..ps just got a tickect in DC for 53ft trailer, max 48 without permit.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:04 am
My husband is an owner/operator & spent $2,800 last week in fuel…ALL truckers need to shut up (complaining) & shut down…if we all stand together the prices will drop!!! They think the economy is bad now…stop the trucks and that will show corporate America what bad really can be!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:52 am
We haul livestock and have seen in our area alone several independent haulers have to either try and sell their rigs or just flat give it up and let the banks take their rigs because of fuel prices. There is no reason for fuel prices to be higher then gasoline. Bush is only getting richer himself because of the oil that he and his family own. When is our government going to start helping those of us here at home? Where does an independant owner operater turn to for help?
March 31st, 2008 at 9:12 am
I am not a truck driver but I understand and if all of you pull together this will work.You guys are the back bone to this economy,and if you guys are not delivering they have to lower the price of fuel or go without there products and trust me these big companys out here will make this happen but it’s a matter of all I mean all truckdrivers pulling together not just a few ,to all you truck drivers I am glad to see someone is standing up while the rest of the people out here are to scared to stand up for all these high fuel prices and how hard it is to live in this high cost economy,you guys have my support all the way.Good for you you guys .
March 31st, 2008 at 9:26 am
I hope the strike last as long as it takes to shake things up. I sure am willing to do without some things if It will bring down the fuel prices. Support you guys completly!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 9:31 am
WEare shutting down. caught in storm in ok. must deliver a.m.will come home and sit.we are in ky.trying to get the word out.the news media here seem to be ignoring the subject.need some help if you are in ky.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:41 am
I am not a trucker but high fuel prices are sucking the blood out of our econmy. One of comments above suggested there is nothing our gov’t can do to ease the situation and that is not true. In 1911 the Supreme Court ordered the break up of Standard oil co. into 34 companies. The Court concluded that it was within the powers of Congress under the Commerce Clause to police business axctivity that resulted in a “restraint of trade”. The court concluded that term refered to business actions that resulted in “monopoly or its consequences”. The Justice deparment has sat quitely by as the oil companys have merged Exxon and Mobil in 1999,Chevron and texaco in 2001, Conoco and Phillips in 2002. think about it, these oil giants would not be racking up record profits if all they were doing was passing on price increases from OPEC. GO to it and demand gov’t action we can’t afford to await the next election.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:51 am
GO FOR IT, I’M READY. BEEN READY AND WILL BE READY ANYTIME.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:02 am
get over yourselves and start thinking what really is the problem. cooperate america? no. bush? no. big oil companies? no. crazy liberal politicians/environmentalist? YES. with out cooperations our country stops. thats your job, my job, the future of our country. bush does not make a cent of high gas prices. the federal government makes a ton. why? because they tax you for all the stupid ecological impact fees. the gas companies make around .2 cents per gallon. they are making record profits because of record sells. we are not the only country that uses oil. now we are not the top consumer of oil any more. the law of supply and demand will work this problem out. the shut down idea is great and i support it 100%, but to blame this on our president and big business is just wrong. if you are going to blame any one, blame you, me and all the idiots that just kept buying gas at this ridiculous rate. you can’t blame a company for making money (last i checked that is the purpose). is it up to you to set how much money an oil company makes? no. the same way they don’t have the right to determine how much you make. y’all are on the right track in your efforts of lowering the price of fuel. just do it for the right reasons.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:28 am
good luck you guys and please shut them down April 1
March 31st, 2008 at 12:06 pm
this strike is good for all of us. with rising fuel prices everything else is going up. All citizens should join and support you. You guys just stick together!!!! Good luck!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 12:32 pm
I had to shut down my truck on March 1st, I can’t do it anymore where the fuel is so high, GOOD LUCK GUY’S I hope this works and I can retab my plate and get back to work. It is about time we start doing something like this so the american public can see what is going on and that our Congressmen and Senators that are suppose to be working for us and not against us pull their heads out of their asses and start doing their job, being we all have been doing our’s, I called my congressman and senator have you? if not do it NOW!!! 202-224-3121 that is the switchboard at congress just call and ask to speak to your congressman. It is a real shame that it has had to come down to this but I am with you all on this Strike and or Slowdown… if you are going to drive out there this week PLEASE do the minimum speed limit which on the interstates is 45mph and put a sign on the truck somewhere telling the public why you are going slow. well GOOD LUCK guy’s if I had my truck platted I would be out there with you and a sign on my truck just driving slow with no where in particular to go. It would cost me some fuel but It would be worth it to do it.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
FOUND THIS OVER ON CNN WEBSITE
March 31st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Strike looks like it happened last year sometime
“Of course we are sorry that we are creating some hardship, but if we don’t do it this way, no one will take us seriously,” said striking truck driver Massimiliano Antonini.
above comment from one itialian driver.
ROME, Italy (CNN) — A strike by Italian truck drivers that has caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine across the country has ended — at least for now.
A spokesman for Italy’s government told CNN the strike was called off after a Wednesday meeting between government and labor leaders in which the government made an offer to settle truckers’ grievances.
“We can report that in the coming hours the country can return to complete normalcy,” Enrico Letta, undersecretary for Prime Minister Romano Prodi, said in announcing the end of the strike. “It was a difficult and complicated negotiation.”
Representatives for labor unions represented in the strike, however, said the strike has merely been suspended.
They said union leaders wanted to talk to members before accepting what was described as a “take it or leave it” offer from the government.
Truckers are demanding more money to compensate for rising fuel prices, which in Italy is mostly a result of taxes.
Truck drivers had defied a government order Wednesday to halt what they had said would be a five-day strike.
Organizers of the strike, which began early Monday morning, said participation was massive, with 99 percent of trucking companies taking part. The strike was scheduled to last until midnight Friday.
Already gas stations have been closed for lack of fuel, and supermarkets — mostly those in large cities — have shortages of produce and dairy goods.
Trucks carrying fuel and medicines for hospitals and pharmacies have been let through, but pharmacists warned there could be shortages of medicine in the long run.
Italy’s Transport Ministry demanded the strikers return to work Wednesday because of “damages to the community,” but the truck drivers said they would continue striking.
Pasquale Russo, head of Conftrasporto, the nation’s largest association of trucking companies, said some unions agreed to the government’s terms — which have not yet been disclosed — while others did not.
He said some truckers remained unhappy Wednesday with the government’s offer and had not returned to work.
Some 150,000 trucking companies are taking part in the strike, leaving 600,000 trucks idle, according to Conftrasporto. The government released no figures.
Highways are essential to Italian commerce, accounting for the transport of 84 percent of its goods.
Conftrasporto calculated that if the strike were to continue for the full five days, the Italian economy would suffer damages of 2.5 billion euros ($3.7 billion). But the labor association defended the action by pointing out it would still supply hospitals, pharmacies, and emergency services.
“Of course we are sorry that we are creating some hardship, but if we don’t do it this way, no one will take us seriously,” said striking truck driver Massimiliano Antonini.
International trucking routes are affected as well. British driver Brian Briggs, stuck since Tuesday, needed to deliver art to northern Italy and then head back to London.
“The company will lose money because they have to pay me for sitting here, doing nothing,” Briggs said.
The protest has mostly been peaceful, though police reported a few arrests of striking drivers beating those who refused to participate. E-mail to a friend
CNN Producer Flavia Taggiasco and Correspondent Alessio Vinci contributed to this report.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I run 13 tractors some I own & some are O/O’s. It is unfortunate that with all this talk and complaining that we are so disorganized. I won’t strike because unlike y’all I have raised my rates. I pass on the cost, people know and they will pay all you need is the where with all to demand what is yours. The problem with our industry is that you raise your rate and the other guy complaining on this blog will cut his to take your business. That is why a strike doesn’t work. Maybe it’s time that they regulate trucking again?
March 31st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I know that diesel fuel is actually a by product of the regular gas making process. So the question is why is a fuel that is less refined and a by product of another process costing me and all the guys that make me able to live comfortably so expensive? If you ask some one no on seems to have the answer I totally agree now if we could get the four wheeler crowd not to buy gas for a couple of days as well then maybe the message will get to those big wigs. We the blue collars of America should figure out a way to quit carrying the economic burden of our country.
I support you guys. I believe that the economic problems are caused by the gas price rising. In nine years it has went from 1.00 per gallon to four that is a 3 hundred percent mark up. That is on average 1.00 per year.
March 31st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
That is on average 1.00 per three years and .33 per year great inflation rate.
March 31st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
I’m not a trucker. I live in OK. My brother has a dispatching co in Cullman, AL. He called me almost 2 weeks ago & told me about the strike. I called CNN today, the lady I spoke with said that they have been talking about it on the CNN Radio but the broadcast channels hasn’t but probably will tonight. I am behind you all. Good luck to each and everyone of you. I know how hard it is just to pay for gas in my car, I can just imagine the hardship on you truckers. Take it as far as you can guys!!! Again good luck & God Bless!!
March 31st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
This is going to be a very unpopular comment, but guess what! it’s not Bushes fault! Congress has him handcuffed. They won’t let him drill nor will they let him build more refineries. I too admire the truckers and what they do. Heck, they feed me, by keeping the store shelves stocked. But blame the right people, CONGRESS!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 4:02 pm
As a company driver, i will support the strike even if it means getting fired, there are hundreds of companys looking for drivers if i loose my job for supporting the strike. lets do it guys and gals.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I own 2 trucks both are shutting down on April 1st. I’ve been waiting for somebody to organize, It was about time. A couple of weeks ago I turned in 5 settlements which grossed $2500 for that week, I had a $1600 fuel bill, and a $300 ezpass bill that left me with $600 of which I have to pay tax on. LETS MAKE A BIG STATEMENT ON APRIL 1ST. HMA TRANSPORTATION IS ONBOARD
March 31st, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’ll go in strike asap, owner of 1 truck, but know too many people in the field that will follow my lead. I am ready, out of 2000.00 dollar load you get clean only 390.00 that’s ridiculous. LET”S DO IT.
March 31st, 2008 at 4:36 pm
My dad is a truck driver, he works long,lonley hours out there on the road and is away from home alot. And it’s upsetting hearing some of the crap drivers have to deal with. To hear some people say ship freight by train – ok – then how do you get it from the train to the stores – people can be idiots. So Strike If You Must Truck Drivers This Family Supports Ya 100% plus !!!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I’m not a rig driver but I work for a shipping company, and I am elated that you driver’s are banning together. The fuel charges are making the rich richer and the back-bone of America broken! So many people dont realize the minimum wages you people work for and how the fuel charges are affecting all of us. I just hope enough of you guys stick together and show the government that your serious, and the the public commends you and backs you!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I have a brother-in-law who has trucked all his life, and had to sell his rig not to long ago. My grandfather was a trucker for years. All I can say is this is long overdue. Enough is Enough. Good luck fella’s and God bless you all!
March 31st, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Lets Shut er Down I’m all for it and have already shut my trucks down.I’m a small fleet Had three trucks now down to two tring to hold on.You can count on HINES TREUCKING OF EL PASO TX GOD BLESS THE TRUCKER
March 31st, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I have been trying for a long time now to get people to listen and not buy from exxon/mobile!!! I have also tried to tell them about upcoming trucker’s strike. No one took me seriously. When I heard the strike would happen April 1st…I took great pleasue letting them (doubters) know!!! They all ran to the grocery stores as fast as they could. I am not a trucker, but a lady who loves her country and am very sick and tired of what these big companies and our goverment is doing to us. I have a family full of truckers though and you have our support 100 percent. I may pay the price for a little while at stores, but if this works it will be worth it. We the people are tired of the people on capital hill getting richer while we are losing our trucks, homes, way of living. Tired of being taxed to death also!! Keep up the good work and know there are alot of people supporting what you are doing!! Glad to see some americans with some gut and a backbone!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 6:07 pm
They are getting ready to strike and its about time.. On I-81 in Pa there are 50 trucks running 5 mph. That will let all know they are serious this time and the truckers aint gonna take no crap this time
March 31st, 2008 at 7:00 pm
From the owner of Grim’s Transfer we are shutting down Apirl 1st.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:04 pm
I own 3 trucks and with the price of diesel I am going straight into the poor house, especially with the oil companies just posting that they made 40 billion in profit for 2007. I can’t even afford a break down right now. I have only been paying for fuel and have only received two checks since December. So you can count my team in on the strike on April 1st. We are in the deep south right here with the big oil companies who are constantly ripping us off. God Bless everyone and Good Luck on your endeavor and with a lot of prayers we will be victorious through this turmoil we are all going through. At 12:01a.m. we will pull together with our fellow truckers and go on strike.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:10 pm
On with it, truckers. There are more truckers than there are Bushes. George needs to know how most of America lives and works hard for the money.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:11 pm
In the meantime, everyone will suffer more because prices will go even higher. The things that need to change will not change as a result of a strike. Minimum wage increases are affecting a lot of small businesses, but you do not see them striking or shutting down to make a statement. Be smart and write your congressman or state senator.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Shut down April 1st! The people that control the price of fuel at this point are becomeing a clear and presant danger to the United States of america. They should be hauled in for rapeing the american people. The price gouching needs to stop now. I do belive that the fuel price fixxing that OPEC has done to the USA is a act of WAR!!!!! We need to stop buying middle eastern and venazuila oil products. Exxon Citgo Mobile Chevron Stop useing there products. BP and AAmico Sinclare need to stop selling over seas and take care of the americans fuel problem. Sinclare Has a refinary in Wyoming. They need to lower there prices. There is no reason for prices to be where they are. Hell we invade a oil rich nation and still pay over 4 bux for a gallon of deisal fuel. I say its time to STRIKE!!!!!!!!!!!! Most of the drivers I have heard on channel 19 say they have bills to pay and they are going to keep rollin. Maybe its time to get the bricks out and stand on the over passes and shut this contry down. Remember the 70′s we had solidarity. We don’t have it now. Wake up drivers.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Keep in mind that if you strike for day, everyone suffers for a week. Strike for a week and everyone suffers for a month. Prices are increasing for everyone and for everything. Its not just truckers that paying more; its everyone.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Nobody knows exactly when to strike or for how long. I’ve got a newborn, and am still going to shut down at least for the day. I’m terrified to go back out on the road early just to have some nut drop a cinder block off an overpass onto my truck. It’s shame we even have to worry!!!
March 31st, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I’m not a trucker, but I do support the strike, If the gas stations ran out of fuel for a day or so, and the grocery stores started to run out of Meats,Milk, Bread, and the other necessities after about 7 days of this, I really believe you would see some things change,and in a HURRY especially if it went 2 weeks this country would be in a mess.People don’t realize just how important the nations truckdrivers really are…Look around ANYTHING that anyone has whether its food,tires on your cars,toilet tissue,meat,drinks it ALL rode in on a truck At one point or another,That might just be what it takes for the people to wake up and get results and relief from the big oil Cos GOUGING I support them guys 100%
March 31st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
A number of gas stations own their own trucks and employ their own drivers. I do not believe they will hurt as a result of a strike. Truckers are not the only ones hurting as a reuslt of high prices. everyone does. Why make a bad situation worse.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:34 pm
the people who need to strike need to be the ones who will have the quickest effect on the community, that being gas and food.If these truckers would strike this would devastate the world. Rock haulers, steel haulers, car haulers, that would not do much unless they strike for a few weeks..they are not a commodity that is a necessity. i say everyone park at one time like noon, no, matter where they are and cause huge traffic jams, cars will run out of gas, and that will be a huge wake up call, and not cause the truckers to lose any money for not running their load…we surely cant afford to park we live past check to check, and never would catch up
March 31st, 2008 at 7:37 pm
I am an O/O that is going broke because of rising fuel prices and freight prices not rising to match it. I will be shutting down April 1 and hope everyone else will be doing it with us. And in rebuttle to “Thales” comment: Yes, we all pay for gas for our regular vehicles as well…but they are not getting 5 miles to the gallon at best. Also, no..the country may not shut down with us on strike..but it does need to see that EVERYTHING that we have arrives via truck…even the fuel. This strike needs to happen to get Congress to make changes before we are all in a soup line. The freight prices have not risen in many years to keep up with the fuel prices. Truckers do not get “raises” as you do in your “9-5″ job. Yes, this is what we have chosen as a career, but the shippers/brokers do need to keep up with rising costs.
March 31st, 2008 at 7:39 pm
My family and I own a small trucking company in Central Florida for the last 7 years.
I just got back from Portsmouth, NH with a load to deliver in Lake City, Florida.
When I was done after Factoring company, feed, tolls and fuel.. My company net $475
WE spend about $1300 on fuel, if I had a company driver running this load I would be under.
We need to strike and be together to make some kind of difference!
My trucks will shut down on April 1
I don’t have to tell you how oppressed we are.
We are working more than ever for less money, the insurance, the liability and everything that goes with this business is going up but our rates are the same, coming out of Florida it has been .70 to $1.00 per mile and all they say is ‘supply and demand’ someone needs to regulate the fuel surcharges and make sure we get it.
Some lawmaker are trying to pass new legislation called the FITT ACT – Fairness In Trucking Transactions. This would call for disclosure of fuel surcharges on freight transactions and a 100 percent pass-through of the surcharge to the individual who actually pays for the fuel. I hope they can pass it through!
This for sure will made my life a little easier!
We try our best to provide customer service to our customers and provide the best to our drivers.
If we continue this way, we will have to close the door and tell 2 families that I can not longer stay in business to provide service to no one
March 31st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I say go for it. Someone needs to make a statement.God be with us all.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Got my settlement check, spent $2,100 on fuel..made $2,800 total…$700.00 take home…whats wrong with this picture?…I’m shut down for at least this week….
March 31st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Wow, All you truckers could not get together even if you were all packed in the same room. One says shut down on January another says April 1st and others say April 28th.Come on and admit it and agree with my friends in Government, you truckers aren’t smart enough to make this whole thing a reality! You can make another movie on Dumg and Dumber. You all need to join in and buy a village and live together.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Post # 21, Pall Mall is right on the money.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I don’t drive but i do work for a trucking co. in tank cleaning. So i’m behind you guys all the way. Good luck to all of you.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I have been a private trucker for ten years and never been so disallusioned. The cost of diesel is not only a hardship but it is also unfair for private truckers to pick up the slack.
I WILL STRIKE WITH MY FELLOW TRUCKERS!! Let me know when, and I’ll park my rig for as long as it takes for results to our grievances.
WERE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE! WE MUST UNITE!!
March 31st, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I’m one truck O/O and I shut down my truck last thursday and stand for the strike as long it will take !
Enough is Enough to be ABUSED by Oil Company, Gov and Brokers who get RICH FAST !
I will move back on the road only if I will get $ 2.50 a mile and Fuel at : $ 2.50 a gal or $ 3.00 a mile if Fuel price is : $ 3.00 a gal ….etc etc ….
100 % with this STRIKE !
March 31st, 2008 at 8:43 pm
There is a very simple solution to the problem of high fuel Prices. ALL TRUCKERS HAVE THE POWER to force change in this country by shutting down or striking and forcing the government to.
1, Open the Alaska North Slope oil fields.
2.Open more off shore oil & Natural gas deep ocean drilling.
3.Build more oil refineries.
NO products or food being delivered will wake up the general population and cauce them to take notice, put pressure on government officals to act on the above three proposals.
It has to be the TRUCKERS vs. The Liberal Environmentalists and Judges who are costing us hard working Americans more to drive and feed our families every year.
Truckers You Have The Power. This is an Election year, Take advantage of it !
Spread this simple message to all your friends, congressmen and other blog sites.
Kudos to Khall : good observation.
March 31st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Right on Guys!!! Im in Kentucky and not a trucker. I do have family that is and also a boyfriend in VA driving at the moment. Support you all the way… Hope everything works out, as living in a rural area, the only means for anything is via trucks… My heart is with each of you as I have always had a deep respcet as well as a weakness for a hard working trucker… Anyone near kentucky, give me a shout.. whitebbw_4blkmale@yahoo.com Love to hear whats going on in the KY/TN area on this stike.. As someone stated earlier.. KY seems to be ignorant of the facts… and we will definately suffer.. Best Wishes for future happy trucking
March 31st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
WE RAISED 7 CHILDREN TRUCKING TIMBER TO MILLS. WORKED FROM CAN TO CAN’T. THERE’S NO WAY WE COULD MAKE IT TODAY IF WE HAD TO DO IT AGAIN. WE ARE 64,DISABLED AND TIRED OF OUR TRUCKERS GOING THROUGH ALL THIS. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE ALSO. IF YOU CAN’T SHUT DOWN FOR SOME REASON. BACK THEM BY TIEING A RED BANDANA OR RIBBON TO THE DRIVER’S SIDE MIRROW AND LET THEM KNOW WE ARE BEHIND THEM.
March 31st, 2008 at 10:53 pm
SHUT EM DOWN! SHUT EM DOWN! DO it cause its always been talk talk talk..its about time now to do something guys. If I was till up in the cab i would be in my truck blocking the fuel island!
March 31st, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Not only is my o/o husband participating in the strike 4/1-4/3 but we are not driving the car for that time or doing any shopping of any kind for at least 2 weeks. We will do without if it comes to that. We understand that not everyone has the ability to participate in the strike to this degree but our family feels it’ll take more than just one group to make a big enough impact to get the best changes made. After all, we are all affected by high prices. We stand behind the strike – please do not use violence against those who are not participating! (dropping items from bridges IS violence!) – and encourage those who are sitting on the fence with a “wait and see” attitude to shut down even just a day or to do a restart during that time.
Wakan Tanka kici un (May God bless you).
March 31st, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Eh ‘CB’!!! ..you are an idiot! …hope you start starving right off! – you probably want the terrorists to win too – don’t you??? – you sick brainless bastard!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Eh ‘Grim Reaper’ – you must be a REAL dick-head! Hope one of those broke truckers runs you OVER with his underserviced truck – right when he meets you on the road. Get with it or shut the hell UP! You must be from Iran. …or Iraq
March 31st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Let me ask you, when was the last time that minimum wage was increased? When was the last time that the city and county employees, no matter what state you live in, when did they last get a raise?
I have been in this industry since 1986 and it has been over 10, yes thats TEN years since we got a raise in our salaries.
We operated a local truck until the end of January of this year, this truck ran the same loads five days a week for over three years. This same truck went from a fuel cost in November in 2007 of $1830.00 per week to January of 2008 for the SAME truck to $2358.00 PER WEEK!!!
The same truck, driver and routes. When was the last time you put that amount of money in your gas tank? When was the last time that you paid over $300.00 for a flat tire? When was the last time that you paid over $700.00 per month for insurance of your private vechicle?
When was the last time that you went to the pharmacy and picked up your insulin and it was delivered by another means other than a truck on these U.S. highways?
Fuel is bad enough but it is NOT, I REPEAT NOT the only issue that this industry faces and deals with everyday!!
I have gone through my home this evening and tried very hard to put my hands on one single item that did not have a truck connected to it and I have yet to find it. The fuel is bad BUT as you can see, it is not the only burden that the truckers of this country have taken on on your behalf HOWEVER, it may very well be the straw that breaks our backs or in this case, our banks! Being a “trucker” is like being a pilot, you get it in your blood and thats just what you do!!As for the driver that ran the same routes everyday, he no longer has a job. The cost of fuel alone absorbed his salary and left no room for anything.
Has it EVER occurred to the general public that in 60….thats right 60 hours if the trucks of this country were to shut down that not only would you not have milk or bread you, we all would not have things that make our lifes better but the things that give us life. Think before you shut down and strike….but only think of where your equipment is parked and how safe it is!! The “BIG BOYS” in this industry can and should make this so easy for the little people, don’t fold, don’t drive and absolutely DON’T FUEL UP AND DELIVER!!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:25 pm
AND FOR YOU ESPECIALLY “GRIM REEPER” I HOPE LIKE HELL IT’S YOUR INSULIN THAT DOESN’T GET DELIVERED!!!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 12:02 am
One thing that everyone seems to be forgetting and I have not seen it mentioned a single time is the fact that there are absolutely NO RULES regarding freight brokerage. You cannot sue a broker for any kind of malfeasance or screwing you over simply becasue ther are no laws for them to break. I learned this from hard personal experience and talking to the head of the DOT and the federal Highway commision and enyone elsoe I thought remotely connected to brokers/trucking in any way. I personally talked to Asa Hutchinson in his office in Fort Smith and got no joy ther. All this because I was screwed so badly by CH Robinson on a load..There need to be some very definitel legislation regarding the operations of brokers limiting the amount they can charge truckers/trucking companies and they should have to post the total price that THEY charge the shipper on every single load so the companies and truckers can tell if they are getting screwed.It is true that freight rates have not kept pace with the cost of operating of a truck but oil companies are reporting all time record profits!! CAn we say “ABSOLUTELY OBScENE PROFITS!!!” I read a few days ago that oil companies were making something like $ 4.5 billion dollars an hour 24/7/365 days a year and increasing every day.Here is a quote from the Governor of PA and a link to the article in Capitol Digest:
“Gov. Rendell said oil companies make $4.5 billion in profits per hour and paid Pennsylvania less than $73 million a year in taxes.”
LINK
The only thing oil companies understand is lack of demand. When oil stops selling at current prices and the demand goes down so will the prices. But we have to get our senators and congressmen to put a tight rein on oil pricing.
I drive for a company but I used to be an O/O (5 different trucks) but no moreI saw it coming a long time ago that owning a truck was a fast road to the poorhouse and that was when fuel was halfway reasonable @ $1.50 per gallon.
Good luck on the shutdown folks! It is way way overdue. Whe the farmers/growers in CA and FL and other places can’t get the crops out of the fields and packing sheds and onto trucks they will raise hell with THEIR congressmen and then things will start happening. When I talked to Asa Hutchinson when he first took over as head of the DOT I told him that what they didn’t realize was that they and the oil companies were poking a stick into the cave of a sleeping dragon and that one day that dragon would wake up and there would be hell to pay. He asked me waht I meant. I told him that as a group truckers were the strongest most powerful force in the world because we could bring the country to its knees overnite by simply doing NOTHING!!!! Happy trails folks.
TT
April 1st, 2008 at 2:53 am
This isn’t a matter of who can and who can’t afford it. If there is no strike, nothing will be done, and prices will continue to rise. This is a runaway government, owned by the corporations, and those corporations (especially the fuel companies) are going to suck this country dry. I’m just a young buck, and I quite driving 2 years ago and went back to school full time. My dream was to own a rig and travel between those two lines, but I’ve seen the truth, and it’s a suicide mission. You can’t afford NOT to strike. If we continue to let things go, there won’t be another chance to strike, and the only drivers left will be those driving for companies that have the cash to pay off the oil companies for better rates. When all the owners operators are gone, you’ll have nothing but essentially federalized corporations that really don’t give a damn about their drivers, or their drivers’ families. Now is the time. Truckers have always been, and still are the knights of the highway. Let the big boys set an example, and maybe, just maybe those little 4-wheelers might join in, and show these corporate vampires we mean business. FIGHT, and show these S.O.B.s we run this damn country, not them. My two vehicles will not run the first week of April, and I’ve talked a half dozen of my friends into staying home too. Ladies and gentlemen of the highway, good luck, and we’re with you.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:42 am
[...] rel=”dc:source” property=”dc:titleZona0x ? Blog Archive ? Trucker Strike!Now there is a call for a trucker strike by 1000 owner operators. Bush better pull his head out of [...]
April 1st, 2008 at 5:49 am
I am not a tr4ucker but you people are the last hope. I have said for the past 2 years that we need to take an active role in putting a stop to this insane robbery of the working class. That day is here. I am with you for how ever long it takes. The way I see it, there is no other option…..good luck and most of all….God speed……John
April 1st, 2008 at 6:12 am
My diesel pickup just got parked in honor of this effort! I totally sympathize with you as we are all in the same boat. I am a service provider (mobile) for a living and my costs are up to triple of what they were a few years ago. I can raise my prices to compensate….but the customer has made choices to use cheaper at times so it hurts us all. I wrote our senator when they were thinking about this economic stimulus package and told him the best thing they could do is keep all that money and stabilize the cost of fuel at the pumps! They don’t listen! It is not the fault of any one person and certainly not the president of the US but I feel that they could intervene on behalf of the interest of the country.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:25 am
I really wish there would be a nation wide shut down… it would be nice if everyday people could coordinate and do this too, not just the truckers.
April 1st, 2008 at 6:39 am
I have been in this industry for all 30 yrs and also owned rigs and am a broker now and since the late 80′s I have always said that a brokers license is a “License to Steal” in the wrong hands…today I pull all over this country and have been running for $2.00 plus dollars per mile since fuel started to get out of hand in 2004 and the companies that run for me are paid that…I take 15-20% only and it is printed on each and every load Gross Profit and %…I know my competitors have offered drivers that run for me 57% of the rate, I know they offered a DD $1000 and put a minimum of $1600 in their pockets…the ICC should take legitamate complaints and simply walk in unannounced and just examine the last 30 days of operation, they could do that to me within minutes and if there’s an extreme profit margin “Shut them Down!” No fines, no prison….just “Out of Business Permamnently” …exterminate the thieves like roaches…it is “Highway Robbery” and also the gov’t subsidizes the farmers fuel, when it’s the truckers that need it most, you have your products, produce whatever but if you cannot get it to the market you’r S_O_L! So many people don’t realize that you get 5mpg on average, your the ones that need to be subsidized at the fuel pumps, I have never seen such a gap of pricing between diesel and regular gas, what’s the reason for it?? Other than to put YOU “out of Business”…you need to strike, and stay out for as long as you can, you ALL have no choice but to do so….take care and be safe, my prayers are with you…Donna @ Matson America.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:06 am
Operation America Strikes Back
This is happening now.
We started this because 1n 3 years diesel has gone from $1.90 to OVER $4.00 a gallon.
It is Cheaper for refineries to produce diesel than gasoline. It went up $.25 a gallon in south florida in a month.The oil companies can lower the price if they choose to.
We want everyone to call off work except emergency response and health care workers.
This is for the good of America.
The major oil companies have just reported record profits and still want the federal government to give them a tax break. This is about supply and demand. If you live in DC park your truck on Pennsyvania Avenue and strike.
Park your truck along the highway and pull the cab open.
The government will loose tax dollars and will get the message. The oil companies will get the message. The email went out to 40 different states to their Trucking Associations. If they do not strike then they are wimps. The independents are striking with or without them. No one can allow diesel to go to $6.00 a gallon. Please keep this peaceful.
Johnny Shaver A&J Grading
God Bless America.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:07 am
Wow, Grim Reaper. What exactly is in your head! Look, everybody is frustrated about something, in this case fuel cost. However, don’t take it out on the trucker. Along with the military, the truckers are the back bone of this country. I am not a trucker And I’m proud of both. Next time you eat supper thank a trucker. Or your freedom of speech, and your freedom of your opinion, thank a soldier. When you pay $4 at the pump, thank a LIBERAL!
April 1st, 2008 at 7:31 am
Marilyn, really?!You hope Grim Reaper’s insulin isn’t delivered. Calm down, go out and get some fresh air. What Grim Reaper said was not thought out, but what you said is just evil. You can’t be that mean spirited.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:48 am
Fantastic. I am so glad you are striking.
We all need a voice like yours to tell our Government to do something now. The massive oil profits keep piling up and we are all getting squeezed into the poorhouse. We need change now. No more speeches from politicians or presidents bought and paid for by big oil companies.
If they will not drop prices immediately, then we should nationalize them. The US Post Office does a great job so why not US Oil Supply.
Thank you
Dr Tim
April 1st, 2008 at 9:22 am
Hey Grim Reaper….this is what the Jaded One was talking about!! only thing you were not there or he may have got you!!! You better start praying… http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/04/01/5159591-sun.html
April 1st, 2008 at 9:48 am
I’m with all the truckers. We all need to do something before all the oil people get everything. I know that shutting down can hurt everyone, but if everyone would stand together, maybe then the big guys will listen!!! Thats our only defense to the problem at hand. I have kids and grandkids and each and every one of them are standing behind you all 100% in this. My grandson is only five but he thinks that if we shut down then maybe they will listen to his dad who is trying to make a living to give him the things he would like. Like food and a home. Mr Bush listen to the children!!!!!!!!!!!!1 You really might learn something from them!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 10:28 am
Well, anybody seen anything being done yet?? Any big rigs parked at the doorsteps of any government offices or along the side of the interstate??
I’m just really curious as to if this is really going to happen or just another idea gone with the wind.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Good Luck, on the strike…lol
April 1st, 2008 at 10:43 am
OK OK… here is the break down…. with fuel at 4.00 per gallon, ok now the average fuel tank is 150 gallons. lets see… 4 x 150 is 600… right? ok the average fuel economy on an 18 wheeler is 6.4 MPG, what these numbers tell me is you get 960 miles per tank… every ten cents the fuel goes up it costs you an extra $15 to fuel, after insurance and everything, I don’t see why someone couldn’t profit 18-20% if they got 1.40 on all miles they ran… This strike is just a little out of line dont you think? I have 13 O/O that run for me and all of them make a good living on 1.40
April 1st, 2008 at 10:52 am
I am a trucker wife and also work dispatch. I am all for this strike.GO TRUCKERS!!!!. Fuel is hurting all these companies and frieght is going up in price. The world would hurt if they would relizse that truck is how things move and if they do not move they will not get product.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:57 am
I am a nurse, nothing to do with truckers but I support this strike! The USA would be in a world of hurt without you and you can shut this country down in a heart beat and it would take a while to get back and the government KNOWS it. THEY NEED TO LISTEN. People can stock up. We will recoop and be better off in the long run. We are in a world of hurt the way things stand. We will be all right during the strike. I think the people that can will help the ones that need it. God Bless all truckers! Everyone I talk to support you!
April 1st, 2008 at 11:01 am
PAULA, I dont blame them, but they are going to give up the control it took them 3 years to get, there is always someone cheaper to move the freight, in this case the cheaper person is going to be the broker. When this happens The truckers are not going to have a choice but to take it at what ever rate the broker decides to offer, Im a broker and today alone my volume increased 62% from last year on this day. its already happening
April 1st, 2008 at 11:04 am
I would like to thank each and every one of you. Every load you left on the dock, YOUR CUSTOMER CALLED ME..and don’t worry we will make delivery on time. And just think you were so close to getting some kind of control out there but instead you put it right back in my hands. Thank you all so much. !!
April 1st, 2008 at 11:29 am
Donna Rzepka, after 30 years you still dont know what your talking about??
April 1st, 2008 at 11:46 am
I have read every post on this site. I have to say there are always a few people out there that just dont have a clue. Everyone else knows who I mean. I dont drive a truck but I think we as a country could learn from what a few couragous truckers have tried to do. I hope they have a impact and I wish them God speed
April 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
I am on STRIKE today and will stay as long it will take !
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !!!
GO TRUCKERS IT’S TIME TO USE OUR POWER !
April 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
Go Truckers!! I’m glad to see someone has the balls to stand up to our government…enough is enough and it’s time to fight back!
April 1st, 2008 at 11:51 am
I am a contractor, and the fuel costs for me have made things harder and harder. (Like all of us) I am at home, and plan on staying here. No glow-plugs getting warmed up fr a while.
I SUPPORT THIS MOVEMENT 100% and wish I could get with some big rig drivers and all accidently run out of gas here in Tampa (Malfunction Junction) (275/I/4 interchange) W00PS!
April 1st, 2008 at 11:52 am
You are all screaming at the wrong people. Talk to you Governor’s your Senator’s and your Congressmen. They are the ones who have made us dependent on foreign oil. There hasn’t been an oil refinery built in this country in 29 years.There are states that are rich in oil but we don’t drill there. There has been a 22 year ban on the export of oil in Alaska. The United States has the largest known deposits of oil shale in the world. Do we use any of natural resources? No we don’t. We could solve our own problems. But we don’t. Oil companies do not set crude oil prices. The global market does.So if you want to protest…do it right. Become educated as to the real problem and educate those around you. And if you are going to park your rigs do it where it will make a difference. Start with your State Capital Building…let your senators and congressmen know that you know that they are the REAL problem.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
IF WE COULD EVER HURRY UP AND STEAL IRAQ WE WOULD FEEL THE BENEFITS AT THE PUMP
April 1st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
STOP LAUGH “IRAN”, WE’LL POP A “Q” WERE YOU WEAR YOUR “N” AND ADD YA TO THE LIST
April 1st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
I sold my truck back in 97 when it was rough the first time around with fuel prices. I am sad to see so many of my brother and sisters who stuck with it hurting like they are, but the truth is we knew it was eventually going to happen when Reagan deregulated trucking and the unions crumpled. Schneider and rest of the ones who profited from deregulation care nothing for the little guy, except to steal our freight like they have done. I seen my dad and uncle suffer through a long life of trucking and both dieing from heartaches in their rigs. As you read a few of these post you can tell so many are only concerned for themselves and don’t see how trucking keeps America moving and our economy flourishing. As the strike is in affect support those truckers who strike and remeber those truckers who can’t becaseu they need that little penny to feed their children.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I know a number of truckers and they are hurting, but no more then anybody else. I think the oil companies record profits are justified since they are investing the profits into energy exploration and research.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Hi everyone !
I think we have more than one problem here ! The price of Oil is the first and the second problem is those Company and Brokers who take too much for there own interest like they never show us the real RATE and the REAL FUEL SURCHARGE !
My Company I lease my truck cut my FUEL SURCHARGE last October and now since they ear about a STRIKE was coming up they change tune and my dispatcher told me : OH by the way I got a notice this morning from the head office and we have a complicated formula to count how to give you the FUEL SURCHARGE and it took 5 minutes to find out the NEW MAGIC FORMULA to SCREW me AGAIN !
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH … to all of US O/O I wish we will do it CLEAN and SAFE !
Some says it will HURT the PUBLIC but We are HURT too BAD and it’s TIME to ACT …
April 1st, 2008 at 12:14 pm
JACK YOUR PRICES PAST FEDEX AND THEY’LL SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW MUCH YOUR NEEDED TO KEEP AMERICA GOING
April 1st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
HERES SOME MATH FOR YA 60 MIN. IN AN HOUR. i WANT 10 DOL PER HOUR. MEANS I DRIVE FOR 16 CENT PER MILE. NOW I’LL BURN 3 GAL. PER HOUR,BOUT $9.60/60 MI.OR 16 CENTS PER MI. HUMMMMMMM. 32CENTS PER MILE BE OVER WITH MY PICK-UP
April 1st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Lynne,
You NAILED it! You are exactly right. There is a reason why Congress has a LOWER approval rating than BUSH.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I would like to say : THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all of those here they are not TRUCKER but SUPPORT OUR CAUSE !!!
>>
Thanks again…
E.B.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Stevo, There it is, thank you for the help…lol, I have everything broke down to the penny. on another note, I don’t think its anyones business what my FCS is because I pay properly any ways, Dispute that, I have the right to conceal that info I can call and offer a flat rate or I can break it out either way it is gonna end up the same money, use your heads
April 1st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
All kiddin aside, I’m in complete support of americas truckers. You all are needed and we as apeople understand that your jobs are not replaceable and you deserve a well living for your hard work.Its neat to see people in your position, some jobs can be sent over seas, some jobs can be replaced by robotics, and in todays world of cheaper and faster production someone somewhere failed to realize that you all cant be outsouced. our country is dependant on you, and if they”v fogotten, wake their @ss up!
April 1st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Please read this slowly, carefully, and several times. When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.–That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,–That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferrable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abused and usurpations, pursuing invariavly the object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. (The beginning of our declaration of independence.)
April 1st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
I support your strike. Here in Oklahoma, I see trucks driving down the highway today as usual. If all trucks do not band together and stop it will not work. I do not see that here in Oklahoma.
April 1st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I’m not a trucker but definitely sympathize with the truckers. It’s too bad the truckers can’t organize enough to pull together a general “work to rule” strike. If all truckers banded together, chose a specific date (for example July 4th) and blocked the interstates while driving the legal minimum speed limits they could effectively shut down the interstates nationwide. The work to rule strike would only have to last 1 day, it would get the attention of the government and the public and finally force the government to make changes which would benefit the entire country. Bush and the oil companies have had a field day maximizing their profits while bankrupting the little guys trying to make an honest living. Big oil companies are laughing at attempts to pull together a general strike, let’s see how long they laugh when the interstates grind to a halt nationwide. At this point this is the only option left. It would only take 2 trucks rolling down an interstate side by side at 45 miles an hour, imagine the chaos. Who knows, perhaps a few of those overpaid senators and congressmen might be late for their very important meetings with the oil companies as a result. Who could possibly determine which trucks were responsible for the delays? When the entire interstate grinds to a halt, there’s no 1 person to blame. It’s time to strike back at the oil companies and hit them where it hurts them, right in the pocket book where they’ve been screwing everyone else all along. Reduced speeds bring chaos, chaos brings even further reduced speeds which results in less cars on the road which results in less money spent on gas. Hits them where it hurts them….
April 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pm
PLEASE EVERYONE THAT CAN’T DO ANYTHING, SHOW THE TRUCKERS YOU ARE BEHIND THEM AND TIE A RED BANDANA OR RIBBON TO THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROW ON YOUR VHICLE. WHATEVER YOU’RE DRIVING. MANY WOULD LIKE TO DO SOMETHING BUT DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO. (I DON’T GO TO WALMART’S AND BUY ANYTHING) THAT IS A STATEMENT THERE. PUT YOUR RED RIBBONS AND BANDANAS OUT SO EVERYONE AND EVERY TRUCKER CAN SEE THEM. DON’T BE A COWARD…..
April 1st, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I thank all Truckers involved with the Strike! I wish all of America had the courage to participate in some form of Strike to Smash Corporate America in the Face! 8000 Foreclosures a day! 30,000 severely wounded troops, over 4000 Dead. Thanks W (the outsourcer) for 8 Years of Hell.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
O.k. I’m going to say, YET AGAIN, something that may offend a few of you even though I don’t mean to. I see a few of you are still blaming Bush. Well, the reason for the high fuel cost is the balence between supply and damand. Demand has out stretched supply. The reason for this: Congress, I repeat CONGRESS, one more time CONGRESS, has blocked the building of refineries, and blocked more drilling. There is plenty of oil still untapped, and there is plenty of oil already recovered we need more refineries to process the oil. Now, I know it is real easy to blame Bush for everything that goes wrong with the world. If ya’ll have not quessed by now I’m a consevative, and A formerly working Texas cowboy. Yes a REAL cowboy. Even I don’t agree with everything Bush does, but this diesel price thing is not his fault. Like I said before, TRUCKERS, more power to you. Working on a ranch, I know hard work, and you truckers are hard workers. You are a tough lot, and admire tough. Hang in there we all behind you. But I’ll say it one more time and then I’ll drop it CONGRESS is to blame, or better yet liberals.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
April 1st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
i am not a driver but have family that drive and we support all of you out there. i am in the band pipapelli and we wrote a song called government shutdown blues because we are sick of all the nonsense in washington. i hope you all park your trucks at all the govenor’s,senator’s,congress-mens homes and especially on penn ave in washington, all the best and luck to all of you.
justcindy
April 1st, 2008 at 4:23 pm
My Father has been a independent trucker for over 35 years, we always had everything we needed, he has always been a good father and provider for our family. As the gas prices have gone up, and family issues (mom has ovarian cancer), he is working more so now to keep everything together…I know he agrees totally with everything the strike stands for, but he cannot strike. Health insurance is another issue in itself, but we need to find another solution, what that may be I don’t know. To the folks who find it funny to say that you will take the loads of the strikers, you are really more of problem than the gas prices, some people are working because they have to, you may not know their situations, but people like you….We need to work together not against each other, maybe the answer is to park all the trucks in front of the White House, let the shelves of every store go bare, let the gas stations run dry, oh wait that won’t happen, we are too dependent on GAS! Lets find a solution. I wish everyone good luck, and peace thru out this economy we are currently living in. Be kind to each other, you never know when you will need that person, The proud daughter of a trucker, Jill
April 1st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
i am a o/o and my truck is paid for. even with that it is impossible for me to save any money for needed repairs.
it seems like im living day to day and pay check to paycheck.
the rates i recive for hauling are the same as 3 yrs. ago.
rates to the truck need to go up as fast or faster than the fuel cost. i havent seen what most call a cost of living in years. the gov. doesnt care and dot just gets rougher on checks and fines. what is a small o/o suppose to do?
April 1st, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I have been trucking for 37 years. Been an o-o for 17 years. Never seen it as bad as it is now. I am leased to a company. I run local (2 states) and am home every night. On a fair week I make $1500. $1000 for fuel, 25% for my company, upkeep, insurance(3 kinds) and everywhere I turn somebody gets another little bite. The truck stop adds 3-5 cents per gallon if you use a credit card to pay for fuel. The credit card co. takes $2-$5 per transaction. Where is mine? And my family that depends on me. Should I give away my truck and get a job at McDonalds? I’m 54 years old, my options are limited. I say strike. I just wish everyone could or would go along. Someone help us.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
We as american have to consider all affect of a strike in trucking while o/o’s strike big companies reap the benifits. this strike is only good for getting a few eyes on us. We as truckers can not rely on government for fix the mess we made. The answer is to boycott blood sucking brockers and shut them down. We have to stop being controled and be givin the option. We must be the ones to give the options. this is why most sucsessful o/o dont do fright. Keep in mind if we rely on government things will surly get worse keep in mind there track record compared to the private sector. Keep in mind the consitution is on our side. “for the people by the people” the next step should be to stop fuel prises from rising more. then to lower then by 1.70. Our only concern with the government should be the high tax on diesel fuel. They can only take so much. after all the money management skills are far more poor the any of us for sure. they call the worlds greatest debt a Deficit. It is way beyond that. as government spending is on the rise and value is on the fall. just ask yourself would any of us hire the government to run our tucking companies? I would not for sure. so dont ask them to fix our mess.
our answers should be something along these lines
1. Organize completly (Unite)
2. everywhere money changes hands that hand take a share. Take out brokers and all entities such as. Lease drivers wake up you drive for a broker full time and are completly controled by them. They maybe called cr england, swift and the lot of them. they at this point are brokers.
3. Demand our government stop charging all tax on Diesel no conditions. after all it would be an extrem Economic boost for this to happen. more cash to flow and not be deadended into the government would certainly be a lot better than borrowing money from china for a so called economic stimulus package.
4. stop Diesel from going up more.
5. demand diesel be cut by atleast 1.75 or more.
6. Take pride in doing all above and accept no less and give in to no one. Unite, be strongor be divided, and ultimitly fail and be controled. “we the people by the people” Stand
comments deadeyess@excite.com
April 1st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Easy to understand version of #150. As time goes on, it becomes necessary for people (U.S. citizens) to end political relationships with others, and resume our independence under nature and God, with respect toward others we should give reasons for the relationship to end. We see certain things that need no explanation as true, that all men are created equal, that they are given by their creator certain undisputable rights, such as life, liberty and the persuit of happiness.–To secure these rights, governments are created by us, getting their powers to fairly govern our people and land by us.–That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of our rights, it is the right of the people (all of us) to change or get rid of it, and to begin new government, which is created anew and built in a fashion that respects our rights, and seems most likely to assure the safety & happiness of our people and land. Caution needs to be taken that long established governments are not changed needlessly, or for petty causes; and history shows, that people are more likely to suffer, while evils are sufferable, rather than make right what is wrong by abolishing the system they are used to. But when a long train of abuses and wrong doings continues against the people, driving them to the point of desperation, it is the right and the duty of the people to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:32 pm
my husband and myself our o/o and we our sitting this week out. we need this strike too bring down the cost of diesel fuel and to bring up are rates we are still working for the same pay we got back in the 1980 thinks to companys that keep cutting rates .lets say no to cheap frieght and this high fuel
April 1st, 2008 at 6:05 pm
ABOUT TIME — More regular folks NEED to DO this!!!
People should start taking ACTION — like they used to!!!
Writing on these Boards is nice, BUT taking a STAND gets the point across
on things will just go ON & ON & ON & ON — nothing will change except those making Profi$ wallets just get FATTER filled with our $$$!!!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 6:48 pm
The cries of “The carriers won’t pay us more” only get so much mileage when brokers and companies alike continue to haul the freight despite the fact.
Let the cheap freight sit and rot on the shippers docks. Sit at home if you need to in order to accomplish this. Eventually they’ll pay more if they care about actually getting their product out the door and down the road.
Fuel prices suck, yes, but hauling freight that you can barely break even with (or loose money on) just seems like a poor business decision to begin with.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I am an o/o and the price of fuel hurts. But we have only ourselves to blame. I’m a driver of 16 yrs and I don’t haul it if I can’t at least average 2$ a mile my cut for the round. And this is nothing to brag about.
I’ll jump on board if you people strike to make a differance right within ourselves. The trucking industry is nothing more than greed and cutrate!!!
I sat approximately 4 months out of 2007 to wait on descent freight.My revenue was down, however, my fuel ratio was just at 20% of revenue. How many of you can say this?
I am not running to line other peoples pockets.
We need to get rid of these logistic companies,go back to customer trucks, stop hauling 3 legal loads in 1 trip, leave the heavy permits alone, stop cutting the rate just because you’re customer is slow so you can have work, if the shipper doesn’t pay detention after 1 hr. leave. If they want you to unload and not pay anything, don’t haul to them. Nobody places a gun to your heads and makes you do anything!!!!!! If you can do these things, I’ll jump on board right along with you.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Owner operators should strike, and vote for Ron Paul.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I have two brothers who drive truck and a walkout is what you need to do. Don’t worry some of the fuel will get sold. To the asses like me who has been buying diesel to put in my home heating system. Can’t afford a truck to bring it,so I have been buying it by the 5 gallon can.The man at my local fuel stop says I’m not the only one buying it like this.Most of his customers for diesel are using cans…….
April 1st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
do you guys really bielieve president bush cares !!! he is most likely laying back in his nest( executive easy chair) saying look a there.TRUE AMERICANS I AM SO PROUD TOO SEE THEM STANDING UP FOR THIER COUNTRY! MAN I LOVE THIS COUNTRY. BUT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO! IVE MADE ALOT OF PROMISES I HAVE TO KEEP !!!! DAMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 1st, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Everyone should stand up and fight againt these unfair gas prices, there is no need for the high gas prices. Everybody should join the truckers, everyone that has been effected by the price of gas should strike with the truckers. We as a people can make a change but we must stand in order to do so, it would not take long. our governement will not do a damn thing. *CENSORED* their not hurting.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 am
Another great day for me so far up an additional 26% from last year, Thank you
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Like a lot of comments left on here i am not a trucker either just wanted to say I support what yall are striking for.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Call me BIG FREIGHT, yes I am a broker and a big one. Stop blaming the brokers for the lack of money you get. Our company negotiates fairly with the dispatchers of every trucking co to either haul or not haul our loads. Now if you decied to take one of our loads the price “all in” is negotiated up front and nobody is holding a gun to your head to haul our loads. How much the shipper pays us in terms of line haul and FSC is none of your business. We pay our carriers what they want, remember you control what loads you haul not us. So all I can tell you is when we call you to move OUR loads (not yours), JUST SAY NO, and we will say thank you and find someone else who wants our loads. We have companies a whole lot bigger than yours to run, with payroll, and fee’s,a nd taxes, so please stop the crying, and negotiate with your brokers for more money per load, if the broker says no, then move on, and hire some sales reps to call on the shippers like we have to do and find your own loads. But how much we make, and how much our shipper pays us is our business not yours. YOU WORK FOR US, NOT THE SHIPPER, we are your shipper so get over it, or become a company driver.
We moved 217 loads today, covered everyone of them , guess the strike is on
April 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
its not just fuel prices its also base rate is to low 88 cents a mile needs to go away thats when fuel was 1.24 a gallon we need to push base rate up and fuel surcharge and also stop working for companies that short ur fuel surcharge they dont need 9 cents a mile of ur fuel surcharge its hard enough to make it without the person your working for screwing u to
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:05 am
I don’t drive a truck but I support the truckers. IN fact, I think it’s about time we organize a nationwide consumer strike. Is there any debate whether high fuel prices impact all consumers whether we drive a truck or not. Oil companies have lobbied our representatives in Washington for years to ensure fuel and energy policy decisions favor them. Let’s organize a nationwide protest to focus the attention of our elected representatives on consumers. Any ideas?
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:12 am
(((173)))Freight Broker. You come here insulting all these hard working Men ,and Women with your Arrogance. Your extream lack of intelligence, and Common sense is Astounding. The simple fact is. Both Shipper and Tucker know we both come out better with out involving brokered freight. You need truckers. We dont need you. This is why Freight Brokerages size and power is rapidly diminishing. Now ask yourself do you think we dont know how much the shipper pays you???…. We are truckers we started this. You insult every hard working Man, and Woman that have diesel flowing in there blood. soon nothing will be left for you but over seas trade fright and small companies are now the spear head of brokerages accross america. My family has been involved in shipping, trade and trucking as long and water and wheel have been around. open debate? let us learn the meaning of vaule.
Thanks
deadeyess@excite.com
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:47 am
I feel that everyone needs to strike and pull together especially the o/o in the south. A lot of truckers are still working in Alabama and I don’t think it’s fair because they sit back and benefit off the truckers that are striking and continue to draw a paycheck. So all you truckers in Alabama park your trucks and stick together it’s going to take everyone to get this fuel down!!!!
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
I bought my first truck a few yrs ago. I have been driving for 17 yrs now and the increase on fuel prices is running me out of my home, my truck and everything else.
my truck is and will be parked until something happens for the better.
Due to the prices of fuel myself and my family are suffering.
To those who say the government dont have anything to do with fuel prices. Thats B.S. they can freeze them.
as far as nafta? Its cool that Canada trucks come down here they pay just like we do.
Mexico? well they dont pay jack! they dont have to keep their trucks in the same condition as we and Canada do.
They have it easy when compaired to the U.S. and Canadian trucks.
If everyone shuts down, then people are going to take notice.
yes we the O/O will suffer for it to as drivers and their families, but in the long run, we will let them know it is true
WITHOUT TRUCKS AMERICA STOPS!
one person told me he can use his pick-up truck to get products from the train. go for it, but trains dont deliver gas to the stations now do they? when there is no gas going to gas stations or fuel stops. i guess people will understand they need us as much as they need their vehicles!
to the person who said there are not as many O/O out there as we all think, BULL! the trucks out there, are 90% (approx) O/O i bought my truck thru Werner Enterprises, and i have gotten loads from them, and honestly, they agree with the shut down. they pay the prices we do also. and yes, they make millions where we as O/O dont, but at least htey are more behind the O/O than most other big companies.
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
I bought my first truck a few yrs ago. I have been driving for 17 yrs now and the increase on fuel prices is running me out of my home, my truck and everything else.
my truck is and will be parked until something happens for the better.
Due to the prices of fuel myself and my family are suffering.
To those who say the government dont have anything to do with fuel prices. Thats B.S. they can freeze them.
as far as nafta? Its cool that Canada trucks come down here they pay just like we do.
Mexico? well they dont pay jack! they dont have to keep their trucks in the same condition as we and Canada do.
They have it easy when compaired to the U.S. and Canadian trucks.
If everyone shuts down, then people are going to take notice.
yes we the O/O will suffer for it to as drivers and their families, but in the long run, we will let them know it is true
WITHOUT TRUCKS AMERICA STOPS!
one person told me he can use his pick-up truck to get products from the train. go for it, but trains dont deliver gas to the stations now do they? when there is no gas going to gas stations or fuel stops. i guess people will understand they need us as much as they need their vehicles!
to the person who said there are not as many O/O out there as we all think, BULL! the trucks out there, are 90% (approx) O/O i bought my truck thru Werner Enterprises, and i have gotten loads from them, and honestly, they agree with the shut down. they pay the prices we do also. and yes, they make millions where we as O/O dont, but at least they are more behind the O/O than most other big companies.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Hello my brothers and sister of the Asphalt Brigade. I come to you today from my home, somewhere on the outskirts of Hades. I support your efforts and shall always do so.
It has been said that this is an exercise in futility by the minority. I ask has anyone ever attained the betterment of their being or the beings of others by not gambling with the assets at hand.
By my understanding of the many posts and comments here, I see that many of you are not only striking but are being forced to end, even if temporarily, a way of life. I find that not only absurd, but highly disheartening.
It has also been said that the blame lies in government or any number of other areas. While I agree on some points of this, I am reminded of a time when our country was new. A time when to throw off the burdens of unfair taxes and the “ass”inine efforts of a central government to rule a body that it did not understand and had no desire to understand. Our forefathers decided it best that we remove ourselves from that situation, and it paved the way for what we are today. It would sicken them to see what a monster the current situation has become. The very things they fought, bled, and died for is repeating itself in our great nation. Not from the outside influences, but from within.
It is time, nay way past time, for the American people to take back the control we once had over our own destinies and set our country back on the path in the center. The actions you take today shall begin the healing of our wounds, for in it others will see the unjust ways that rule by the select few have run us into the ground.
I wish you all the best and hope that through the actions taken things shall change for the better.
~:CE:~
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I am not a trucker, I own a construction co.and we are feeling it too. I urge the truckers to strike for the benefit of all. THIS IS NOT CAPITALISM. This country is being disabled by a monopoly composed of Exxon/Mobil, Shell, and Coneco Phillips. We can not let this happen.You all have are gratitude and utmost support
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Will anyone be posting the results of the Convoy going to the White House?
Also, I have heard / read about the Teamsters organizing a Strike of their own. Has anyone else heard about that?
Inquiring minds want to know.
April 4th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Scottish, it is not my desire to insult you or any other trucker, yes we need you, and you need us. The true fact of the matter is that the intermediaries or old term brokers are more involved today than ever before. we are the new sales arm of small and medium size companies, we are the arm of logistics that the shippers turn to for reduced rates, better service, and long term relationships with the shipper consignee.
Please negotiate with your chosen brokers, negotiate for the best needed price. Remember we seek back haul rates for every lane. The head haul rates will continue to diminish.
You are incorrect on the future role of the broker, the good ones like my company have expanded our roles into 3PL or 3rd party logistics, we will now begin routing freight for the shipper, there are no more traffic managers, we replaced them. Why have a company employee when you can have a 3PL do it for you for free, and save your company logistics dollar.
The need of carrier and broker will only get stronger, unless that is you want to hire sales reps in 20 or 30 states.
I am sure we will do business together, but I appologize if I seemed disrespectful
I know your pain
April 5th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I AM NOT A TRUCKER,BUT I SUPPORT YOU GUYS AND GALS 100% IT NOT ONLY HURTS TRUCKERS IT HURTS THE WHOLE COUNTRY BUT THINK BACK FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO AND REMEMBER BUSH’S FAMOUS WORDS I WILL NOT INTERVENE NO MATTER HOW HIGH FUEL PRICES GO ,OUR PRESENT ADMINISTRATION DON’T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THIS COUNTRY IT’S JUST IRAQ AND MORE IRAQ AND THAT IS THE SAME SITUATION AS VIET NAM ALL YOU HEAR FROM THIS PRESENT ADMINISTRATION IS TERRORISM
April 6th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I AM ON STRIKE AGAIN TOMORROW !
ARE YOU ???
O/O Please write it here if you STRIKE tomorrow …
Say it LOUD !
I AM ON STRIKE AGAIN TOMORROW !
April 7th, 2008 at 6:14 am
I AM ON STRIKE AGAIN !
ARE YOU ???
April 29th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Government tells us are running out of oil?
Google the word BAKKEN. Oil discovered in the 1950′s. Now we have the techonogy to drill for it.What’s holding us up?
May 11th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
whats going on now? I hear of very little truck traffic on the interstate this sunday night. going thru chicago tonight was like really scary. Just seemed unnatural not to see the trucks on the road like it used to be. Could it be $4.59 for a gallon of fuel? or did they(truckers) really just say “hell with it, They got me too. I’m outta here” Just wondering cuz if they got them, then they got us too. we quit!
July 20th, 2008 at 9:41 am
not all brokers are stupid but when u start double and triple brokering freight its becomes useless. as will the brokers if they keep this s**t up
July 25th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
I wasnt driving when this strike supposible went on,I had sold my truck in 07 but I had to buy anouther about 8mo ago.Apparently the stike didnt accomplish anything cause the brokers are still getting wealthy from the drivers out here. I know for a fact these loads are paying $2.50 to over $3.00 amile, but as all you drivers know the brokers are only paying $1.00 to $1.50 if your lucky.I have some ideas and willing to put these ideas in action, but Im going to need help doing this. I want to orginize as many drivers as I can,starting up a web sit for truckers maybe have a pledge that each driver will have to sign.We have all the power to do this but its not going to be easy and its not going to happen over knight. some of my ideas consist of saying NO TO CHEAP FREIGHT;we will put our thumb down on the brokers.By boycott thos that dont want to pay.Then we need to find a way to get the goverment to regulate the freight rate, one mile rate based on the national fuel prise per gallon, then the brokers regulated on there take to no more than 10 to 15%. First thing I need is a web sit and I need someone that knows how to set one up and maintain it, this will be voluntarly to start with. If we can start getting donations to come in then we will see about some compisation. I have know idea where this is going to go but we want know unless we try.
Dean Eller
deaneller@ymail.com