Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Industry weighs in on Biden’s trucking action plan

Trade groups say recruiting, apprenticeship promises are a step in the right direction, but efforts fall short on addressing driver turnover and retention issues.

trucker-g44f105dbb_640.jpg

The logistics and transportation industry is weighing in with support for the Biden administration’s recently announced efforts to boost the truck driver workforce, but they say more solutions are needed to tackle the longstanding challenges that plague the industry.


The administration unveiled a plan last week to strengthen the country’s truck driver workforce as part of its broader effort to address supply chain challenges via the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force, launched in June. The Trucking Action Plan includes four key elements: helping states reduce barriers to obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL); a 90-day challenge to increase the number of registered driver apprenticeships nationwide; military veteran-focused outreach and recruitment; and a “Driving Good Jobs” partnership between the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Labor (DOL) that will investigate industry challenges and identify longer term actions for addressing them.

Logistics industry trade groups praised the recruitment and apprenticeship efforts, but said more work is needed to address concerns such as driver retention issues and relief from some regulatory requirements.

Tom Madrecki, vice president of supply chain and logistics for the Consumer Brands Association, said in a December 16 statement that the group has “... long argued that supply chain bottlenecks do not end at the ports, and we are pleased to see that the administration is acting on common-sense solutions, like increasing truck driver recruitment efforts in a labor market that is 80,000 drivers short. We urge the administration to continue to work toward solutions, like establishing an 'air traffic control' system for ground transport and bringing more flexibility to truck weight requirements, to expand trucking capacity and allow the [consumer packaged goods] industry to reliably deliver the essentials consumers rely on every day.

“Solving the supply chain crisis will require dedicated attention from the federal government— attention that cannot wane after the holidays are over. We thank the Biden-Harris administration for its leadership and urge continued focus on the issues that will have the greatest impact on the availability of essential goods.”

Bill Sullivan, executive vice president of advocacy for the American Trucking Associations (ATA), emphasized the need for more apprenticeships throughout the industry.

“We are encouraged that the Biden Administration has not only recognized the importance of adding new and well-trained Americans to the trucking workforce, but has announced a path forward with what we believe will become a robust training opportunity for future commercial truck drivers,” he said in a press statement. “Using apprenticeships will help any American pursue a career in this great industry for good wages and benefits in a safe manner without the significant debt many jobseekers can sometimes incur.

“We applaud the Biden Administration for taking these important steps and we look forward to working with them to ensure a smooth and rapid implementation of the commitments made today.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association (OOIDA), which represents small businesses and professional truck drivers, homed in on the need for longer-term action and driver retention.

“There are some elements in the plan we support, including further analysis of driver compensation and unpaid detention time,” OOIDA President Tom Spencer said in a statement following the administration’s announcement. “However, the plan fails to address excessively high driver turnover rates. Attracting and training new drivers won’t solve the larger problem of retention. We need to create an environment where truckers can have long, safe and productive careers.”

The Latest

More Stories

person using AI at a laptop

Gartner: GenAI set to impact procurement processes

Progress in generative AI (GenAI) is poised to impact business procurement processes through advancements in three areas—agentic reasoning, multimodality, and AI agents—according to Gartner Inc.

Those functions will redefine how procurement operates and significantly impact the agendas of chief procurement officers (CPOs). And 72% of procurement leaders are already prioritizing the integration of GenAI into their strategies, thus highlighting the recognition of its potential to drive significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, Gartner found in a survey conducted in July, 2024, with 258 global respondents.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

Report: SMEs hopeful ahead of holiday peak

Report: SMEs hopeful ahead of holiday peak

Businesses are cautiously optimistic as peak holiday shipping season draws near, with many anticipating year-over-year sales increases as they continue to battle challenging supply chain conditions.

That’s according to the DHL 2024 Peak Season Shipping Survey, released today by express shipping service provider DHL Express U.S. The company surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to gauge their holiday business outlook compared to last year and found that a mix of optimism and “strategic caution” prevail ahead of this year’s peak.

Keep ReadingShow less
retail store tech AI zebra

Retailers plan tech investments to stop theft and loss

Eight in 10 retail associates are concerned about the lack of technology deployed to spot safety threats or criminal activity on the job, according to a report from Zebra Technologies Corp.

That challenge is one of the reasons that fewer shoppers overall are satisfied with their shopping experiences lately, Lincolnshire, Illinois-based Zebra said in its “17th Annual Global Shopper Study.”th Annual Global Shopper Study.” While 85% of shoppers last year were satisfied with both the in-store and online experiences, only 81% in 2024 are satisfied with the in-store experience and just 79% with online shopping.

Keep ReadingShow less
warehouse automation systems

Cimcorp's new CEO sees growth in grocery and tire segments

Logistics automation systems integrator Cimcorp today named company insider Veli-Matti Hakala as its new CEO, saying he will cultivate growth in both the company and its clientele, specifically in the grocery retail and tire plant logistics sectors.

An eight-year veteran of the Georgia company, Hakala will begin his new role on January 1, when the current CEO, Tero Peltomäki, will retire after a long and noteworthy career, continuing as a member of the board of directors, Cimcorp said.

Keep ReadingShow less

Securing the last mile

Although many shoppers will return to physical stores this holiday season, online shopping remains a driving force behind peak-season shipping challenges, especially when it comes to the last mile. Consumers still want fast, free shipping if they can get it—without any delays or disruptions to their holiday deliveries.

One disruptor that gets a lot of headlines this time of year is package theft—committed by so-called “porch pirates.” These are thieves who snatch parcels from front stairs, side porches, and driveways in neighborhoods across the country. The problem adds up to billions of dollars in stolen merchandise each year—not to mention headaches for shippers, parcel delivery companies, and, of course, consumers.

Keep ReadingShow less