Enough is Enough. Now that the average price of diesel exceeds $4 a gallon, It is past time to shutdown. With the slowing economy, meaning loss of frieght, Everyone is raising prices, except money to the trucks. Brokers are taking a larger share, because they can get away with it, and to also maintain the bottom line. Oil companies are reporting record profits, even after reporting record re-investment in exploration and development. Comodities we need and buy everyday are going up. Blamed on the extra cost of transportation. But where is that "Extra" money going? Not to the trucks, but to the middlemen that are pocketing it. Yes it is price and demand, and right now there is more trucks than freight in most parts of the country. The feds want ALL trucks to drive legally and be properly maintained. With everyone taking to much of the pie, trucks are getting the left overs. And personally, it isn't enough to Drive legally, maintain my truck, and provide for my family. A national shutdown of ALL trucks is long overdue. Shippers are saying that they are paying a large fuel surcharge, and it's not making it to the truck. Since government does not want to regulate trucking, or brokers, this leaves trucks on the fence. Disclosure, not regulations, would help. If Brokers had to disclose what the load paid, and how much of that was going to the truck, We would be in a better position to make a good business decision. Just my two cents, Shoestring.

I have been saying that we needed to do this for 2 years when fuel prices topped 2 bucks. Yet truckers still have not figured out how to use a calculator. If you are too stupid to realize your fuel costs are eating over 60 percent of your gross income, then you should be tired and Bankrupt. I parked my truck 3 weeks ago. No sense in workinbg all week and being broke and tired on Friday. When all the smart guys who are constantly cutting throats realize they are TOAST, then we can have an effective strike. With various dates being spread around, I belive April 1st is plenty of time. I think there will be a lot of trucks parked in GA before then. Those still riding will do so at their own peril. I am not taking this laying down. If you work while I fight for my survival and yours, then don't bitch when you have to pick your teeth up off the ground. Park them NOW.

Captdash, I don't support the violence you seem to be advocating. April 1st is not enough time to get the word out to have an effective strike. May 1st has been the called for date for this very reason. Time to get the word spread. Your frustrations are definately ringing through. The same pain shared by all. Accomplishing this boycott May 1st using comunication and education, not violence, will have a POSITIVE effect. Violence will only distance those who might help from the cause.. Think about it, but spread the word. May 1st for one week.

I just wanted to say that I have to agree with Captdash. May 1st is just to far off. Most of the trucking industry will be broke by then. We have to stop now. If we work ourselves to the point of being totally broke what are we accomplishing. Why not stop now and spread the word as we go. Why can't we start the strike now and the goal be for everyone to be parked by May 1st. Why should we run another month and put more money in the gas compaines pockets. Shut down now and make your stand. One by one others will follow. And who is to say that one week is going to be long enough. The trukcers need to be prepared to shut down for however long it takes. If the word gets out to the wrong people that we are going to shut down for one week starting May 1st, that gives them plenty of time to plan ahead. Why would they pay us any attention. They figure its only a week, so they stock up til the truck drivers come back to work next Monday! They need to know that we mean business and will remain parked til something is done.

Shoestring1 let us know as soon as possible how to brand this, "Enough is Enough", MayDay, Truckers Boycott? And for anyone that can do a video, that would really help this spread fast. We're here to help...

ENOUGH is ENOUGH. Simple, and to the point.

Hello, I would like all O/Os to join me on APRIL 1, 2008 to shutdown, or park your truck for the day. I know a lot of guys are saying they cant afford to shutdown, well boys & girls, the SAD TRUTH is you can not afford , NOT TO SHUT DOWN. unless you are a major player, & have 2000 plus trucks in your fleet. By shut'n down for that day, we as a hole will show people in Washington DC that we are united in this stand. The plain truth is outfits like OOIDA & The ATA dont give a damn about us, they seem to only care about how good they look in the Fed Goverments eyes. I know for a fact that my co. is through hauling untill this thing is straightened out. If you support my stand on this then please do the following 3 things 1# Tell Everyone you know & post on every blog you can that you are & will support this shutdown 2# send me an email telling me your views on this my email is dlittle@uscattlehaulers.com 3# April 1, 2008 Simply Shut Down This action will only work if we have large numbers involved in the Shutdown Washington DC will HAVE to at least look at the issues we are face'n This is an Election Year, use it to your advantage, let Washington know what you feel & how hard we have it right now Thank You Dan Little

I tried to contact the Obama Camp but received a canned response, so far...
"Dear Jim, Thank you for contacting Obama for America. The volume of messages we’re receiving has gone up since Barack’s victory in Iowa. While we cannot respond individually to over a thousand messages per day, the level of interest and thoughtfulness of the comments reflected in these communications are very gratifying. Your thoughts on our campaign and America's future are greatly appreciated. Individual citizens like you are the foundation of this campaign."

Looks like this thing is getting legs - will have to be massive to have any effect though.

It needs to start with the tankers. If the gas/fuel can't make it to the pumps, the rest of the country stops, too. I just hope when the time comes, we can afford to stop with everyone. I know it sounds stupid, but we are raising a family living paycheck to paycheck. No time is a good time for a strike, but we have to do something.

Dlittle, sad part is, you won't be able to get the word out by april 1st. I agree, the sooner the better, but it also have as many trucks involved as possible. Read an article this morning about Iowa truckers are striking on the first, and another blog about GA truckers are already striking (started Monday?). The point is, while these two might bring some attention out, it won't even compare to what the National Boycott Enough is Enough will do starting May 1st. That is still over 5 weeks away. Plenty of time to get the word out. Rather than muddle up the timing by introducing conflicting dates, How about you just help spread the WORD! Enough is Enough. Truckers Boycott May 1st-8th.

If I may add, you are all right we need to set a date, make this site STRIKECENTRAL, have one spokesperson, outline the issues and all agree on, I think SHOESTRING has that dead on and lastly we have to be PROFFESIONALS no stupid stuff... As this grows we can organize as we go, I don't need to tell you this is going to be a mass effort with lots of support from everybody, we need to have one flyer posted as a PDM so that of us that have computers can down load the a copy to reproduce to spread the word of our effort. Also we need to look at the legalities and the ANTI-TRUST issue. Also, what do you guys think about as we get things organized we start out with a slow down, I have all ready started myself, just trying to save fuel. Again no stupid stuff don't block traffic or piss anyone off, just back um down to 60 mph that alone will get some attention

I ran out of room...But I wanted to add, for the guys that think this won't work without the BIGSHOT companies, thats BS, thats what they want us to believe, this thinking is old hat. I read a report by FDOT Trucking STATS. (goggle it) there are approx. 600,000 trucking co. in the country, 90% are made up of 25 trucks or less, another figure I read in an artical said there's 3.4 million truckers out here...WoW thats some power......LETS GO BOYS AND GIRLS>>>THERES BETTER DAYS AHEAD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Right on Charles and all!
To make this go viral, we're going to need as many writings/rants as possible. Anyone that can write a post about "why this shutdown has to happen", write it and send it to me. If anyone see's signs about it and has a camera, take pictures, send them to me and I'll help distribute them properly. The biggie is if any of you can do a video about "why this shutdown needs to happen", a video will really help kick this off. Again, send me anything and I'll do the distribution.
THERES BETTER DAYS AHEAD>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
jim@truckertotrucker.com

I will send anyone the flyer I have been passing out. Just email me. Busy tonight but at some time soon I will email this sight one, and possibly they can make it avail to download.

We haul local, demo & trash, out of ATL. They're talking datewise here 4/3. I agree that 5/1 gives more time. Can we survive until then? We need to get solid on a day. May Day is fitting but how many will go under by then? We are being raped by our own government. DO YOU FEEL VIOLATED YET???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm probably going to take some flak for this, but please re-read what I say before balling me out.... Government regulation of the brokers (or anything) is bad and it won't help anything. Why? because it will mean you will get an even smaller cut of the pie as the real money gets paid to the broker under the table. Think about it. If they are dishonest enough now, how dishonest will they be then? Also, do we really want our free enterprise system replaced by a government-sponsored economy? That is the economic definition of Socialism/Communism. Have I got your attention yet? If I don't then this will... You and I don't have any right to know what a broker makes on a load. It's none of our business any more that it's the banks business we have a truck loan with to know what we made on our loads this week. We also don't have a right to demand lower fuel prices, but we do have a right NOT to drive and use fuel. I have more to say in the next post, but this is enough for now, except that unless there are clear and intelligent reasons (goals) to accomplish and enumerated for a shutdown nothing will be accomplished except paving the way for the mass influx of mexican drivers and violence is never the answer. BTW - for the driver that stated if someone drives on shutdown day that he won't be responsible if you have to pick your teeth up off the pavement... be careful that some mortician doesn't have to dig a lead projectile out of your chest in response. It's not the same out there anymore since the new generation of "gangsta" drivers has emerged on the scene. Something to think about. Enough is enough... but what are the legal, business-sensible and intelligent goals?

Google or YouTube "ZeitgeistTheMovie" and watch as much as you possibly can more than once until the real message siks in. Warning to you that it *IS* offensive (especially to Christians and Republicans), not for children and will make you mad, but it will answer some questions you can't even verbalize right now. The questions are those nagging feelings/thoughts that always causes you to scratch the back of your neck wondering that it all doesn't add up. Eventhough it is very offensive, please see it all the way through and be careful to not miss the point of how it applies to the present plight of the truck driver. Personally, I believe we are being manipulated, but I don't know who or why yet. I suspect it is engineered to provoke another 1929 Depression (yes, it *can* happen again regardless of the FDIC). Please consider watching Zeitgeist as required viewing before the strike. It will help you understand what is happening and why. Perhaps it will help formulate the goals of a shutdown. Enough is Enough, but enough of what? "Zeitgiest" will give you a hint.

Addendum: All of the "Depressions" were engineered to cause the relocation of private assets into the pockets of the select few that railroaded the Federal Reserve Act and therefore the Federal Reserve to become established. Did you know that the people that print our paper money are not a govenrment beauracy, but a private corporation with the ability to control the money supply and therefore the economy at will for their own benefit? If you want this strike to have REAL impact it's time to get out the history books (no not the canned garbage we were fed at school, but the REAL history you can only discover by plowing through research until the picture emerges) and know who your REAL enemy is. Violence is not the answer, but neither is complacency. Enough is Enough, but we better have the REAL culprit in our cross-hairs of our intents and actions, if for no other reason than our own peace.

For the record... I have no tie or association to the "Zeitgeist" folks. I receive no renumeration or compensation from anyone. I only advocate it because of what I learned. FYI - I have been researching the Internet since 1996 and had always the nagging feeling that it all didn't add up. Watching "Zeitgeist" brought a lot into focus. I offer it as a suggestion that it may answer your itch on the back of your neck.

Hi all, Think this over, I'm pissed enough too to shut down too but the fall-out I think will make worse an already sketchy public opinion about truckers. Big business is behind the pricing, if you watch the business shows(CNBC) and they'll spin this against us, you know they will.... The public will suffer, ultimately, the effects of a shut down. Indirectly, that's us too. Please think this over.....(the original florida kid)

I am ALL for the shutdown. I do think it needs to be May 1,2008. That will be enough time to get the word out. I am tired of staying out 2-3 weeks at a time just to be able to cover fuel costs. The fuel surcharges are not keeping up with the costs. The rates are still the same as they were 10 years ago. Something has got to give!! Quite frankly, I have had enough!!

What I have to say may surprise you all. I am a oilJobber and I feel you pain. I am paying almost $40,000 for a load of Diesel. I bought my business 8 years ago and I put my life savings on the line. I fully support you guys on a shut down go for it do what it takes. when a Oil Company can raise prices 8 and 10 cents a pop we can not pass that on as fast so we eat it. And with large companies trying to buy gallons we end up selling below cost many times. The next thing is allowing crude oil to be controlled by the futures market. Our Nation ecconomy is crumbling and it is Oil (gas and diesel) that is causing it. Good luck guys.

OK The Flyers Are Ready To Print
There is a link at the top of the page
Download Shutdown Flyer

We are gaining support and attention from alot of areas. I personal have made contact with several different organizations and companies to let them know that things must change for the trucking industry NOW... April 1st my company along with several 1000 other drivers,owners,mechanics will protest by parking our trucks at home till fuel comes down and someone listens to our voice in Washington. 1) Regulate our insurance on our equipment. 2) Regulate how much a broker can keep. 3) Put a cap on fuel so price gouging dosent occur 4) Shippers and Recievers must understand our time and equipment is worth something. 5) Recievers must pay for thier own unloading 6) We are not pallet suppliers. On April 1st if you want change to any of these listed and I'm sure there are more we must SPEAK LOUDLY with unity in our industry. Go to myspace.com/cartracer24 sign the guest book and show you support.... Thank you and God Bless

We are long past due for drivers to come together and take back control of the industry. I am very hopeful that this action can become a success, and I am doing my part to get the word out to as many people as possible via a special forum dedicated to this on our website.

So what is the situation here, code TRUCKER are you an alarmist or an every day guy like me wondering why, the country is going in the direction it is.. Mitt Romney said it best, that at the current rate our nation is heading we will be the "France of the 21 First Century", if you don't know history, France was the most powerful nation in Europe for years, now their just a blip on the radar screen. Yes, I sometimes wonder if I'm an Alarmist, and yes I pull at the thought all the time, is this something much more dark evil plot than we as Americans can or what to believe!!! I don't want to get into a big political debate, but you folks also need to Goggle the Communist Manifesto, read this, then ask yourseleves what you see going on in our nation is not starting to align with this belief>>>>

I as a AMERICAN, a 20 yr AIR FORCE VET with the PRIDE of a PATRIOT, I do not care who or what is going on with OUR COUNTRY, it is time to make it "ALL" RIGHT Agian...

somebody make a date please what about a one day strike april 1st and if that doesn't get any attention a one week shut down may 1st but something has to be done but if there is no penataly for driving during the strike a lot will try to make money but expect the rewards a strike obtains good or bad something has to be done.

Well my views on this situation are a little different than most of you, I’m a 14 year O/O and I’ll come right out and tell you I think we should all shut down the same day and cripple the entire country, paralyze the entire USA. Make it so that all Wal-Mart store shelves are empty, have Americans running out of food to feed their families and out of ass wipe paper to clean their asses with. Then!!! Maybe then they will get the picture. Doing it in a nice way never gets the job done, 300 million Americans have to feel the pain of this, and I want to see suffering and misery in every American household out there, THEN!!! I think we can get the fuel down for good. We have to show them without us,,,,, YOU GO HUNGRY. And I’m willing to lead this so let’s get it done boys.

We have someone that wants some questions answered - Click Here

Can Truckers Really Get Together? There is significant chatter on the Internet, over the CB and at truck stops across the nation about the possibility of a trucker shutdown. However, the goals are actually yet to be defined. It's obvious to everyone that the cost of fuel is the primary issue, but what are the possibilities of actually decreasing the price?
It would seem that one remedy might be at least temporary relief from federal and state fuel taxes for big rigs. Perhaps this could be defined by class, or in some other manner. A tax credit for income tax purposes is a possibility. After all the government is about to pass out billions of dollars to insure the economy remains stable.
Suppose the shutdown actually did happen. Who would government officials talk with about any proposed remedy?
There are numerous laws that come into play and if a shutdown actually did occur by truckers that lasted more than a day or two, it could potentially cripple the economy and it is likely that the government would order folks back to work with a "cooling off" period. That would probably be advantageous as people could continue to work and someone or some group could enter into some type of negotiation to seek a potential remedy.
There needs to be at least a majority (51%) that would join the shutdown. Anything less would be detrimental to those who would support the effort and in fact might result in a loss on one's job or business if only a small percentage participated.
Could there be at least a single Internet site where truckers would confirm their intention to support the trucker shutdown. If ten's of thousands signed a pledge could the objective be obtained without any work action?
In short a goal or goals need to be defined and agreed upon and there has to be some spokesman available. There also needs to be a large number of truckers willing to step up to the plate. Can that really happen?
Time will tell if this is just idle chatter or is the basis for a work action that might yield some results.

Hi Charles - FWIW I am a an O/O with a '99 Volvo that has been parked in my driveway because no one yet will pay me enough to move it. Due to my business plan, I am able to sustain this position for a long time, if necessary. I am fortunate and I have the full confidence of my investors to support my business decisions as I dictate. I am very fortunate in this, but it is also the result of not getting my truck until after 10 years of reseach and hundreds of interviews with O/Os that succeesed and failed. In short I had a plan. So in that regard I am just a regular guy like you. As far as being an "alarmist" I don't really know what you mean, but it doesn't matter as I see labels as a detriment to relationship. If someone wants to know "what" I am, then they will just have to get to know me to find out. What would the perception of the American, nay, the global public have of a "Trucker" if they actually took the time to get to know us as people rather than CNN's Wolf Bliter's "Smokey and the Bandit" image? As far as what I think you mean with your label, I do see some disconcerting aspects and the information I have researched somewhat lined up like dominoes when I viewed "Zeitgeist" the third time. This is why I offered it. Some will dismiss it, until they are standing in line to be injected with the RFID chip "for their own good." So how does all this tie into the "Enough is Enough" initiative? Well, let me answer the question with a question, specifically to all the veterans (Thank you) and patriots... how valuable is firing a missle at the wrong target, except to give the enemy your lat/lon?

I am a trucker's wife. He's been driving a truck for almost 30 years now. He owns his own truck. We had a dairy, but had to give that up because we couldn't make any money. Now he can't make money driving. He's not out there to play, he works harder than anyone I know. He finally quit driving for a sorry company last December, because they were finding more and more reasons to keep our money. He got another job about 1 1/2 months ago. It seems good so far, but he only got two checks before he had a major repair costing almost $6000 and keeping him from driving for two weeks. That's more checks we won't get. We're about to lose everything we've got and now truckdrivers are talking strike. I say "We've all go to go for it!" It's better to do without and go broke than be patsys any longer! Truckdrivers don't have to take any crap from anybody. I know it's going to be very hard, I mean, I don't have a dime right now, but I say we all need to get together and stand up for what's right. Make the government do something for us for a change! Thanks for letting me vent.

Code TRUCKER, Although I was an aircrew guy in the AF, I understand warfare and also understand that ground pounders will fire shots to draw fire to obtain the enemies lat/lon of course many tactics have to be considered..warfare is not always a predictable out come. MISS DIANA, I feel for you and husband, I too suffered thur a major break down (tranny and clutch $4100.OO) just before Thanksgiving got to spend it at home, but left 30 Nov. did'nt make it back till the 15 Jan., 34 hr refresh, gone again, passed thur again, 12 hr stay, got close last week (60 mi.) had the mom bring the wife over (shes off work with a broken arm, no I didn't do it slipped on the ice) but I wanted to break the other one after a week in the truck with her LOL, we got home safe and sound marriage still in tac, 3 days this time, WoW that was nice, left Mon., no idea when I'll be back... THIS is the LIFE of a TRUCKER the LIFE the AMRAICAN public does not see...the LIFE we are all to familiar with, what a shame what this Profession has become, I was taught to "Give a good days work for good days pay", I'm still trying to figure out when that changed..I refuse to compromise my morals and values to fit in to this current situation this industry is in, I know that I am not alone in my beliefs. I will continue to grind away as I always have, if success is meant to be I will succeed, if not I will KNOW I DID MY BEST!! STAND STRONG GOOD LUCK TO YOU

May 1st-8th IS the shutdown date. Enough is Enough lives and breaths, and is well on it's way. Flying J is the single largest distributor of diesel in the US, and corprate office is aware and concerned of the impact this will have on them. I had just posted some flyers, when a manager took it one down. He aburtly took it to his office and faxed it to home office. When he went outside for a smoke, I asked him, and that is what he told me. I wouldn't be surprised if TA's have the same worries. Need more to download the flyer and post them where ever you stop during the next month. Talk on the CB. There is 4.3 million drivers going thousands of directions. Not an easy task to get the word to everyone. May 1st-8th is the Shutdown!!!

Code Red, I have read and re-read your posts many times. The government chose to deregulate trucking. Regulations in that regard will, or should not happen. What I promote is honest discloser. When a broker offers you a load at say 1.50 a mile, and I tell him it isn't enough, he lies saying it isn't paying much more than that. This very thing just happened last week. That same load went from $1.50 a mile to $2.25 as he had to move it. And he still made money, just not as much. Would you take a load for $2 a mile, if you knew the broker was getting $3.50 for it. I really don't think a bond, phone, and fax machine warrents him taking that much off the load. And as far as depression, Look at what just happened with the 5th largest investment bank in the US. There is to many simularities to our times now, and what lead to the great depression. Lost jobs, homes forclosed, companies going under, and banks going broke. Think about it, but spread the word, May 1st-8th Enough is Enough shutdown.

More Exposure Here

Hi guys. I'm not a driver but a night manager at one of the big "travel plaza" chains. I want you to know YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT!! Even without the sickening fuel prices, you have it tough enough. Away from your families for months at a time, dealing with dispatchers who have no clue how it REALLY is, maneuvering through traffic with 4 wheelers driving while stupid, all the time trying to pay the bills AND keep DOT happy--not to mention the up-keep on the truck, without which, you wouldn't be able to move. I COULDN'T DO IT!! but i'm glad you do. I wonder though, how much impact you can make if you don't get the big trucking companies in on this? cr england, swift, interstate, etc? They'll keep moving because they can afford to while the O/O's go broke. Reminds me of the 160 acre family farm vs JR simplot. he got rich. the rest of us found different jobs. Take care all and BE SAFE! thanks

LISTEN UP!!!!!!!! All participants of a shut down, if we are going to do this we all have to do this together. I noticed that reading all these post on this forum that most of you guys have different dates in mind, that’s not going to work or be effective at all. March 29, 30, 31 are the dates that have been set by 4 of the largest trucking companies in the industry, J.B. Hunt, Challenger, Schneider National, and Werner trucking, That’s about 70,000 trucks total right there, I’ve called OOIDA and they have confirmed these dates also for these 4 companies so if we are going to do this that’s the date it has to be done so that’s its most noticeable and most effective. Just picking a date and having a few thousand trucks shut down will never be noticed, so let’s get this thing done and cause a little suffering in the economy. People never seem to open their eyes until they start to experience pain and loss and hunger and suffering, once people start to see their lives becoming a shamble in ruins THAN THEY START TO NOTICE, and things get done.

http://www.grannywarriors.com/rally.htm This is a great jump start for the Enough is Enough shutdown. Check it out. I only regret that it is has not had enough time to get the word out. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Shutdown May 1st-8th

Iceman, This is the first I have heard of the Mar dates. This has been the problem. Getting the word out. IT IS OFFICIAL...SHUT DOWN MAY 1ST-8TH> We have a 5 weeks to get the word out to the estimated 4.3 million drivers. Do your part and spread the word. In a recent article, Jim Johnston, With OOIDA, claimed OOIDA would not and could not back any type of a shut down for leagal reasons. I am an OOIDA member and find this disturbing.

I am trying to get some strike info for Maine. Looking to email truckerjim but get an error message.

I agree with the shut down. I have heard for the past week now about the shutdown for April 1st and 3rd. We need help with the fuel but we also need to go back to being REGULATED, since deregulation came in it has gotten more brokers and companies that no longer have to disclose what the load is paying. I don't actually care what the brokers make as long as we get a fair rate. But we have not been getting fair rates. There is no reason that any broker should be making more than 10-12% off any load. If they want to cut the rates to get their foot in the door then it should come out of their profits not ours. We need to go back to being paid percentage,(so we can get the proof of how much the load actually paid. The brokerage business is what everybody wants to start nowadays because they can take advantage of truckers. They start up, put up $10,000 bond get $200-$300,000 in revenue and shut down leaving outstanding bills not being paid to truckers, then turn around and start-up again under another name. This needs to be STOPPED. If we are to continue to be paid by the mile there should be no load in any state that pays under the minimum of the expense of the truck. Ther is such a thing as the mininum wage and hour Law. FL,TX,& CA are the 3 major states where brokers consistently lower the freight rates and make more profits on these 3 states than many others. There should be no load paid by the mile that pays less than the min of $1.50 per mile. But out of FL people are taking loads for under $1.00 per mile. The people that are taking these loads deserve to go out of business for continuing to do this.

OOIDA is not being a part of this shut down but they have confirmed those dates for me over the phone. we really need to get this date thing together. it's tough to believe that OOIDA would be wrong on this. they are usually up to date on these things.

I looked on the OOIDA website and couldn't find anything about a shut down by JB, Schneider,Werner

it's not on their website because they are not supporting it because they have no balls, no guts, and not willing to take a stand but they sure know how to print out bumper stickers that say TAKE A STAND. They just never follow what they say. but they do know about it if you call them, they are aware of the dates.

thanks for the info Iceman

NTS email truckerjim at
jim@truckertotrucker.com

If anyone knows of any truck strikes to happen in Maine, kindly pass the info on. We parked our five trucks last week, diesel was $4.29. Brokers are not paying fair rates for the loads and as long as there are truckers out there that will haul the cheap freight, I don't see much changing. As an o/o, we can't survive with the price of diesel and the low rates. We need to band together and let them know that without the trucks, nothing will move! Rails still need the trucks to get it from their to the store or warehouse.

It is not just the brokers, large companies that brokering out the over bookings are quilty also. Recently, LANDSTAR RANGER posted a load from CA to WI. 1912 miles, rate offered $1739. When I asked how they expected to move it, was told, Someone will want to go home. Anyone taking such a CHEAP load will be broke in no time. IF you take a cheap load, they will only keep offering cheap loads. SAY NO TO CHEAP FRIEGHT, SAY NO TO HIGH FUEL PRICES! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, SHUTDOWN MAY 1st-8th

I have said it before and will say it again. Most of us can not afford to keep going until May 1. Again I will say that spreading the word that we will only shut down for one week is not going to do any good. Start the strike on April 1, if most of the big co are shutting down the end of March and we start falling in with them we will see some results by May 1st. Most of the people I have talked too have known about the April 1st strike for a couple of week or so now. Word travels fast in this industry. Instead of telling everyone May 1st, why not encourage April 1st.

Mar 20, 2008 2:35 PM STRIKE! TRUCKERS UNITE!! APRIL 03, 2008 We hear every day on news casts from all over the country about every critical event taking place all over the world. However, I seldom hear anyone mention the difficulties facing the Transportaion Industry here in the United States. As a Heavy Duty Truck dealer along with operating several of my own trucks, I am here to tell you that our entire industry is facing a melt down that will dwarf the sub-prime mortgage crissis. Every tangible item that you have ever seen, held, or used was delivered by at least one, if not more trucks. Certainly, this is not something that the American public doesn't already realize. Although, I want to inform you that if everything goes according to plan, Independent Trucks will be going on strike April 03, 2008. This strike is not aimed at lowering fuel prices or any political motivation, but rather we are hoping to get the attention of everyone so that our demands for higher freight rates are understood by the consumers who may exsperience some unpleasantries during the strike. THIS STRIKE WILL EFFECT EVERYONE Thanks Jason H Jones Laurens County Truck Sales Dublin, GA 31021 478-676-4154 478-278-8711

I AGREE JASON!! This shut down will not lower the price of fuel, fuel prices are controlled by the world market based on world demand, PERIOD!! But saying all that, we sure need to make an impact on the economy in such a way that it causes the rates to go up NOW, not down the road at a later date. Most truckers cannot wait until the shutdown date, most are going under now, I will be parking my truck in may for good myself and become a company driver for as long as it takes until the rates come up, when the rates come up to where my fuel cost never exceeds 1/3 of my revenue I will get back in my truck in a heartbeat. My fuel now is close to 50% of my revenue and the only reason I’m able to hold on this long is because I have zero debt in my life. If it was not for that I would have been under a long time ago. Most truckers would say that I’m a part of the problem for excepting freight at a 50% fuel to revenue cost and I except that argument with legitimacy but the company I’m with has been very good to me since day one and they are not the problem, it’s the dame brokers that’s the problem and most of our loads come from brokers. You see brokers will tell you that I can’t give you anymore for the load because that’s all the load pays, LOL!!! Well we know that hogwash because if a broker really cared about his loyal drivers that he uses on a regular bases he could call the customer and tell them THE LOAD WILL NOT MOVE FOR THAT PRICE BASED ON FUEL COST, but since most brokers are as OOIDA with no balls & no guts & will not step up to the plate you now have thousands of O/O going out of business but I’m hanging in there until may.

WILL SOMEBODY HELP ME and go over to www.purchasing.com/Talkback/Comments? I posted comments over there in response to some big guys comments about the confusion among them why truckers are having such a hard time coping with high fuel costs. These guys are Managers in the Manufacturing/Trucking logistic house, I tried to explain to them the issues. I think it was a good post. I really think they don't know whats going on out here..... My computer skills are limited, I would like for all to see on this site their and my comments, but I don't know how to get it on here......HELP**************

In Texas we have Set the shutdown for April 2,3,4. Like others have said most of us are unable to last until May 1 also these dates have been chosen by Port Drivers around the country for their shutdown. I have just came out of NY back home and had never heard the dates you all have listed here for May. The dates have varied but all right around the same week in April. You can see Myself and my other 5 trucks on the side of I 35 W exit #66 with banners and lawn chairs if you all want to join us, best regards.

OK GUYS!!!! THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!Out of the 57 post so far on this forum we have posted multiple shut down dates, we really need to get this thing together, I’m reading April 2,3,4 and May 1-8 and March 29,30,31 which are the ones that I know about and have confirmed with OOIDA. We have got to come up with a firm date and all of us need to do it on that date PERIOD. If you just pick a date out of the thin air and shut down without thousands of drivers doing it with you, you might as well just keep trucking into bankruptcy because it will have ZERO effect on the country. I want each seaboard of this country to feel our wrath our protest our shutdown and our voices. This will only be achieved by doing it on the SAME DAY.

As a part of the proposed shutdown beginning May 1, truckers should take their rigs to Washington D.C and park them on the streets and expressways of the Capital. Politicians in Washington wouuld definitely move to help the situation if their was grid lock in the capital, which would effectively shut the place down Time to let your influence be felt!

The trucker shutdown for owner operators is Scheduled for Aprol 1, 2008 ---

I just read a major shutdown by 4 large companies - J.B Hunt, Werner, Scnieder National and Challenger is March 29,30,31... So I am hopefull everyone will see that and follow suite...No one gets the date together --thats just a normal vision of what truck drivers act like on the road!!!

The trucker shutdown for owner operators is Scheduled for April 1, 2008 ---

I agree with the April 1st date is plenty of time, the word is already spreading through the industry.

april 1st is good for me noboby is subsidising trucks like they did the railroad and were having a hard time making ends meet big companies have been cutting rates soon all there will be is company drivers then they can do what they want to drivers wages

Truckers! Brothers! For those who are willing to take a stand I salute you! I too was an owner operator 1999 through 2005, but had to get out of driving my own truck because with the rising fuel cost and mere rate increases that could never keep up with the inflation I saw exactly where it was heading for the industry. I've been a company driver since then, butI'm working for an o/o and I know how much he's suffering because I've been there myself. We're both shutting down on april 1st and again, I salute to those who will take a stand. As good ol Larry would put it, lets GIT-R-DUN!!!

Well men, I'm not a trucker but until all of the guy and gal on the road stick together nothing will change. I'm old enough to remember when there was a union out there that pulled together all of the truckers. Not saying that a union is the answer, just saying that Americans need to learn how to stick together and not let our Government tear us apart. It will cost me when and if you stop driving but it's worth the cost to see Americans sticking together again. Pull over until the Government does something about the crooked gas companies.

I W W Union called me tonight and stated that they are indeed supporting the April shutdown, They have comitted 16,000 trucks will shut down to show support for our Message To Washington D.C. They are in agreement that the shutdown is to start on April 1st 2008 Normally O/Os & Unions dont work with each other in a stand but they & I along with thousands of you guys understand, the old say'n "one for all & all for one" Go to my website for daily shutdown updates Thanks Boys & Girls We Will be Heard Dan Little

we also need to send a message to ooida. if you cant support us we are not going to support you. i am dropping my membership with them cause its a waste of money. calling your reps has done absolutly nothing and it is time to show this country who we really are. i will shut down april 1st but we need to stay out until it is fixed and if tries to go back to the way it is now shut er down again. remember its we the people not we the government.

I agree 100% gopher, OOIDA has spent the last 30 years preaching stuff like TAKE A STAND, NO CHEAP FREIGHT, STOP YOUR BITCHEN, HOLD YOUR GROUND. Well now it’s time to back up all that strong talk grow a pair and act upon your sayings. But instead they back down, WHY??? No balls, no guts, no heart. 30 years of bull shit just went down the drain when they backed out of our shut down. So for me,,,MEMBERSHIP CANCELED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So true about OOIDA. I have called them for advice on several different issues and the only response from them was that there is nothing i could do. Since i have been a member i haven't really found them to be much help with anything. My dues are paid till Oct, so unless they stand up with us,I don't see myself renewing my Membership. I am tired of calling them to find out what they are doing to help us with the cheap freight rates and all i hear is "If you don't haul cheap freight and leave it on the docks the rates will go up." I don't haul cheap freight but someone else is and i am losing my business. Well I am from the old trucking school where drivers used to stick together. If you broke down you'd have 5 or 6 trucks on the side of the road helping you. Those days are long gone. I say time for SHUTDOWN is now April 1st.

Dan Little of uscattlehaulers.com has posted a list of 5 things that he hopes to accomplish from the shutdown. I ask that the rest of you who have posted other dates for shutdowns and boycotts please post a list of the items that you are asking to have changed, who you will be meeting with during the shutdown to try and get the changes made and what you feel the benefit of those changes will be to the truckers and to the general public (that is you and I as consumers) A lot of this is sounding just like our presidential candidates. That is they yell "I WANT CHANGE" at the top of their lungs, but give us very few details as to what those changes are. I'm open minded, but at this point I have read nothing in any of these shutdown calls that, in my opinion, will do anything but give the news media, plenty of footage and sounds bites of truckers looking and sounding foolish on camera and on air. Please prove me wrong and give me a logical reason to change my mind and support any of these actions. Some of us are doing fine in this business are have no reason to participate in a highly disorganized shutdown. Thank you, One more thought, please do as you see fit, but do not become violent as some as already suggested and interfere with those who choose to continue operating their business as usual. The economy has cycled for years and those that do not prepare for the down side often do not make back to the good times. Jim Beetem

1) Help with Fuel Rates 2)Make a minimum rate per mile and limit brokers to max of 12% of load pay with all fuel surcharge going to Truck. with better rates we won't have to work so hard just to get a paycheck 3) Get new drivers more qualified training (not 3weeks w/trainer then you can be a trainer) We could help police our own industry. 4) Shut down the trucks that are unsafe and not properly maintained. 5) If you can't read and speak english you should not be driving a truck that endangers everyone around you.

we actually need to go back to being paid percentage of all loads so we can actually get proof of what an actual load pays

Thanks for responding Wray
What specific kind of help do you want with fuel rates and who are you going to talk to about getting the help you want?
To help the shippers, should there also be a maximum rate per mile that they can be charged? Who are you going to ask to set and enforce the minimum rate?
Whey do you feel that 12% is the Max that brokers should charge? Why not 5% or 15%? How did you arrive at that number? Since brokers percentage should have a cap, should they still have to pay the truck if the shipper does not pay them? Since they are just taking a percentage, should they have to use their money to pay the truck in 10 days, even if they have to wait 30 or 90 days for the shipper to pay them?
What if the broker cannot get the shipper to agree to pay a fuel surcharge? Then what happens?
Why should some one guarantee us a higher rate of income so that we don't "have to work so hard"? Should the men and women at McDonald's get a much higher pay than they do now so they "don't have to work so hard"? Oh yes, then the big mac will have to cost more so we can go back on strike for higher GUARANTEED freight rates again. It's a never ending circle and it gets more out of balance with each rotation.
Now I will agree with you on a much more extensive training program for new drivers. Also a longer "apprentice" period before they go solo.
I'm with you on policing our own industry. Please share the specific ways that you would like US to Police our industry?
Again, I'm with you on shutting down unsafe trucks and unsafe drivers. Please share your ideas as to how this can be accomplished?
Now I'm really with you on enforcing, what I think is already a rule that drivers have to take the CDL exam in English and that they must be able to read, write and speak English well enough to do their job. I thought there was such a rule, but I hear that some states are allowing interpreters to help none English speaking Drivers take the test.
Here are some things that I would like to see changed. I would like to see the speed limit be the same for cars and trucks in all states, so that traffic would flow at a fairly steady pace. Now to accomplish this the idea that "they will let us get away with 10 over" needs to be abolished, by having very heavy fines imposed for minor speeding violations. I'm not going to propose a speed limit, but I would just like them to be the same so we could gear our trucks for maximum fuel mileage and pulling power in all states.
What percentage of the load pay do you think is reasonable for the truck owner to receive?
This was not brought up, but I'm going to throw it out. If broker "A" has a shipper with a load but cannot find a truck to haul it, and his friend, broker "B" has a truck that would like to haul that load, how should this transaction work and who should get what percentage of the freight? Broker "A" has cultivated the customer and provided him good service for years. Broker "A" will have to collect the money from the shipper and pay some to Broker "B" who will have to pay the trucker who pulls for Broker "B" every week. "Broker "B" will probably make the advance to his truck at time of loading and pay the balance with in 10 days , again out of his own money while he waits for Broker "A' to pay him. Please tell me how you think this transaction should be handled differently and how much each party is entitled to? This happens all the time and it's referred to by many as double brokering. No different than your Cherrio's going though several distributors before it get to the grocers shelf. So Wray, even though I do not support all of these different shutdown days as being the answer, we do agree on some of the things that should be changed. I await your answer's. Jim

Need rates to go up when fuel goes up to coincide with the rising cost. we need someone(don't know who yet) to set rates that freight should maybe capped at and minimum rates. (Fl right now has freight being pulled for under $1.00 per mile) (very unacceptable) I don't mind a broker getting 12% as long as he pays us within 7 to 10 days (not 30 and charging 5% for Quickpay) we need to get rid of the shady brokers out here. the shippers are not most of the problems. Most shippers pay the brokers but the brokers aren't paying the truckers.(been through this before)We need to set higher bonds for brokers to post and alot of the non payment issues will stop. if we had an enforcement of some of our issues the fuel surcharge will be mandatory! Well ********(very large co) pays drivers 65% of the load I think that this is way to much for any company to receive. Especially if the load is Brokered.

It sounds like to me this JIM guy is one of the reasons why our industry will never get anywhere forward, the old attitude that I’m going to keep on trucking while you guys shut down and fight for all of our rights in trying to make the industry better. Typical truck driver attitude. Keep on trucking Jim while I fight for your wages to make them better. Now I know you’re going to post back and say I don’t need to fight for your wages because your making a bundle ect ect ect. I hear it all the time on the CB. Some of you pinheads have no idea what good wages are and that’s what I’m fighting for. TIME TO TAKE A STAND AND GROW A PAIR FOR GOD SAKE.

Hello ICEMAN, Thank you for noticing that the top of my head is as shinny as a pin. I'm sure that is why you used the term "PINHEAD" in such an affectionate manner.

Since I must have not made my request for information clear in the earlier posts, I'm going to try again but make it easier this time.

What is the number one thing that you want changed?
Who or what specific government department are you going to meet with during the shutdown to negotiate for the change that you want?

I see that you have been an owner operator for 14 years. Do you run under your own authority or are you leased to a carrier? What type of trailer do you pull, (van, reefer, flat, etc)?
It took me 30 years of trying things in the trucking business that did not work before I found what is working for me.

ICEMAN, thank you for looking out for my interests
"Keep on trucking Jim while I fight for your wages to make them better."
But you must have me confused with a company driver. I do not get a wage. I am a trucking business owner and as such I negotiate with my customers to provide a quality service to them for which they pay me a fee (freight rate if you will). My goal is to always negotiate a fee that will cover all of my expenses and give a reasonable profit margin.

"TIME TO TAKE A STAND AND GROW A PAIR FOR GOD SAKE." If you could give me some specific good reasons to take a stand, and how you expect that "stand" will bring about positive changes and improvements in our business, I might be willing to "stand with you." So far all I am hearing is a lot of emotional talk and have yet to see a viable plan put forth.

Note, I am not "TRUCKER JIM" who I believe is the owner of this site, I'm just Jim. I don't want TJ catching flack for my comments. He is a good guy.

Now here is an idea!
Why don't all you leaders of the various shutdowns and boycotts get together and agree on a single date for all of the events? You know "LETS ALL STICK TOGETHER!"
Then when the date is agreed upon you can work as a gro up to draft a list of the things that you want changed. Then you can make a list of the people or agencies that can make those changes happen.
Call or write to those agencies NOW, and let them know what you want done, so that on Shutdown day they will have had time to prepare to address your issues.
Please tell me what is wrong with that plan?
Most are saying "LETS ALL STAND TOGETHER" yet none of you can even agree on a date to "STAND"

I wish I was in the news media. I could win a Pulitzer for coverage of this Three Stooges Event, as it is currently planned or not planned as the case may be.

Please do us proud and give us SOMETHING that we can stand up for.
Good luck, be safe and professional in what ever you do.
Jim

I am a truck driver and a driving instructor. I want this to work... But I know from experence that we all need to shut down together. I am shutting down with everyone else but With-out the large companies we arn't going to make a difference.If you have to run (company drivers)couldn't you just slow down to 45mph for one week, would that not get your feeling across to dispatch, and not get you fired. OOIDA will not help us, but say they are their for us, BULL.... Stop paying them, drop them like they are dropping the ball on this. This is their job!!! sounds like they are just a company to keep us in line....... window dressing...... I hope we can pull this off....

Ok Jim, I honestly can’t believe that I have to explain myself to a 30 year + trucker veteran as to why this shut down is a must and a necessary event. Fuel prices are not going to go down based on a shutdown that is controlled by the world markets based on supply & demand so let take the fuel issue completely out of the conversation for now. Now Jim whenever I said I was fighting for your wages also, I am!! It does not matter that you are an owner operator, I am as well. Our pay is still considered wages in the industry no matter how we get paid, either through a leased on company or through negotiations directly with the customer, its still wages at the end of the day Jim. The shutdown will hopefully have a cause in effect on the wage issue and bring them up to where they should be in today’s time. You know as well as I do most of these runs today pay exactly what they were paying in the 70”s except now everything is 4 times more expensive and that needs to change Jim. So here’s how it’s going to work, we shutdown all trucks on a confirmed agreed to date for say 3 days, preferably 3 weekdays and not anything on the weekend because most trucks are shutdown on the weekend anyways, now the attention getter is this, freight stops, the store shelves go empty, Americans start to get hungry and pissed off, no one can fuel up because no tankers are getting to the fuel stations, ALL commerce stops!! Economy accentually shuts down. {The attention getter is achieved} truckers finally get there way thus wages go up. END OF STORY!! Now for god sake grow a pair Jim and take a stand, or as George bush would say, you’re either with us or against us. WHICH IS IT JIM?

I'm just a drivers wife, but I am following all of this and am behind the strike 100%. It is definitely time that someone takes care of the truckers. We personally, are not going to make it much longer whether the strike works or not as we are so far behind. Bu we are praying for all the rest of you. I can't figure what the big boys in Washington are going to do without all of you. To bad they didn't get their heads up a little sooner, maybe more of us would have been ok. I also want to know why you think JB Hunt, Werner, Challenger, and Schneider will make a difference if they shut down on the 28, 29, 30, 31, as that is a Fri. thru Mon. They don't usually do much driving on Sat. or Sun. do they? Well, good luck to all of you and we hope it works.

OH My GOD, Cracker heads, are everywhere, I see this is has turned into the SOS...USCATTLEHAULERS AKA DAN LITTLE outlined the major issues that I think many can agree on..Why is all this so hard for some to understand....The cost of fuel issue is nothing that can be done other than suspending the U.S average .52 fuel tax..We have no control over what OPEC does....All I wont done is to know what the rate is and what is the %%%%%% to everybody!!!!!....I find it hard to believe the rates are the same as the 70's that's.. BS..and what is the standard charge for FSC and wheres it GOING.......IT only take a moment to figure out how the top trucking/broker companies are making major profits....IF Johnny steals 12 apples hides 3, tells Jimmy and Bobby he has 9 apples, gives Jimmy 3 apples, gives bobby 3 apples and keeps three apple for himself who has more apples......CLASS can any one tell me?......

Anyone HMMMMMMMMM,........This is the reality people....continue as it is stay FUBAR, go into this HALFCOCKED, WE'LL ALL LOOK LIKE IDIOTS, NOTHING WILL GET ACOMPLISHED, MANY OF US WILL LOSE OUR LIVIHOOD, THE STRONG AND THE LUCKY WILL PROSPER

Shut em down for a week. Lets grind this to a halt if they wont help us out.

If it takes a week I'd be surprised. Leave it to Werner,JB,Schneider, and Challenger to shutdown on a WEEKEND. HAHAHA what a Joke!!!!!!!!!!

My last comment till you guys start making MORE sense**************"ITS HARD TO SOAR LIKE AN EAGLE WHEN YOU WORK WITH TURKEYS"************

Before I respond to ICEMANS last comments to me I would like share this information.

At 11:25 a.m on Monday March 24, 2008 I talked to Angle Burneil, who is the Executive Assistant to Todd Spencer and Jim Johnston. I used the phone number 816 229 5791.

Angle said "OOIDA HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PLANNED SHUTDOWN BY ANY OF THE LARGE CARRIERS, INCLUDING THE ONES THAT ICEMAN QUOTED IN HIS MARCH 21 ST POST"

ICEMAN, what is the name and the position of the person that you talked to at OOIDA last week?
Thanks

Truckers, O/O, fleet companies , whomever you may be... I support the three "P"s ...Proactive, Peaceful, Progress. It is time for all entities to join together as one and to send a clear and resounding message. And when that message is heard we need to be prepared to work tirelessly to proactively and peacefully achieve significant progress. Ensuring for the next step, turning our stumbling blocks into stepping stones. It's time to be strong and courageous together but let's make sure that phase 2 is ready to follow phase 1. This strike may cost some the last bit of what they have so let's make sure that their unselfish contribution counts. I agree that a definitive plan of points for success needs to be drafted. Everyone is tired of the " 70"s rates and independent O/O that get no surcharges are even more tired. Three trucks are scheduled to be repossessed in Maine's state Capital parking lot in Augusta, Maine this Friday, March 28th at 8 a.m. as a statement by Donald Hayden & Son Logging Inc. that his company is being forced into bankruptcy by high diesel prices. Maine has already lost to many good, hard working independent owner/operators whose pockets just were not deep enough to weather this fuel war. If you set concrete dates and a proactive,peaceful plan to initiate progress keep me posted as Maine is definately interested.

ICEMAN, Yes, please explain it to this 38 year veteran. I fail to see any chance for success as these events are now set up.

If you are still hauling for the 35 cents a mile that I was getting in the 70's you do have a problem. You need a new customer or a new broker. Then my shinny new Pete cost $27,500.00 back in 70.

"Now for god sake grow a pair Jim and take a stand, or as George bush would say, you’re either with us or against us. WHICH IS IT JIM?"

As this poorly organized event stands now I will make it very clear "I AM VERY MUCH AGAINST YOUR MOVEMENT!" Now, if you can all agree on a single date, and tell me who you are going to meet with to get the changes made and what your desired results are, then I might reconsider and back the shutdown. As it stands now, in my opinion, this has absolutely no chance of success.

Are all of you going to support each others events? This means being shut down from now through April 12th and again from May 1 - 12.
I'm on the phone now with a friend who runs dedicated on I-70 and they are hearing May 15th as the date. Add that date to your schedule.
Where is the "We are all sticking together for a common result?"

I can agree with what George Wilkens and Maine trucker are saying and asking for. So I'm not the only one with these questions.

side note, Trucker Jim, administrator emailed me with the information on how to do paragraph's so our comments don't all run together and become hard to read.

I don't know if this will hold when I post but I'll try "
" leave out the quotation marks, each time you do a < BR > (no spaces) you will get a line return. thanks,Jim

A protest about fuel prices that lasted at least a week would wake up everyone to the cost of fuel and what truckers do for the public. When a trucker's strike over fuel prices happened in Europe in 2000 for 2 weeks it grabbed everyone's attention. Here's a website with the story: http://www.peakoilblues.com/blog/?p=16 Go for it, nothing to lose, already losing money hand over fist, at least it will wake up the public to what truckers do everyday.

The US uses more fuel than any other country.We CAN control the market.All we have to do is not buy from Exxon&Mobil which are one. I got an email the otherday that made sense.If we don't buy from them for the rest of the year it will cause a price war between the oil tycoons.Everyone that can strike should.And boycott the biggest gas company for the rest of the year too.

I've been sending out emails, putting up posters, advising everyone of the local strikes and the nationwide strike by the big companies. I too would like to know who ICEMAN talked to since I've been spreading the "word"! Of course, OOIDA may not want to admit they have any knowledge either since it's against their regulations regarding strikes. Maine will make a stand Friday when some trucks get repossessed at the Maine State House beside the Governor's mansion and office and legislature!

Enough is Enough Boycott May 1st-8th. I will agree with all, that sooner would have been better. The problem was having enough time to get the word out. Since this blog started, several "strikes" and "Boycott" dates have been passed around by different parties and groups. As I stated in prior posts, TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, one date, one time, TOGETHER is needed. I still stand behing the Enough is Enough, and will be shut down that week. Most of the other dates put out have been spur of the moment things, with no real effort going into getting the word out. Regardless of all this, Enough is Enough, Shutdown May 1st-8th. Pass the word!

I am a 2 truck independant carrier. I would not only love to see a strike, I would whole hertedly particpate! the list of demands should include:#1 A mandatory fuel surcharge,and a limit on the profit margins for the oil companys #2 No lumper fees of any kind #3 Control the percentage the truck brokers are allowed to take #4 Stop the price gouging by the insurance company #5 Shipper must supply their own pallets #6 No more cross border pilot program #7 Mandatory time limit for payment from all brokers and shippers #8 to be treated fairly by dot officers.

Jim,

Here is the official company response...

Regarding the question of Werner participating in a nationwide drivers strike…

The answer is No.

While we are painfully aware of the significant negative impact the cost of fuel has on all of us in our industry, we don’t believe that the strike is an effective way to address the issue, and it would have a negative impact on our customers and our drivers over something which they cannot control.

>>> 03/21/08 9:37 PM >>>

I have a similar response from Schneider National, so some one was posting incorrect information.

This shutdown is long overdue. Lets make it count!

*****************EVERYBODY NEEDS TO GOGGLE***************** TRUCKERS GOING BROKE THREATENING STRIKE APR 01

SHOESTRING1 WILL YOU PLEASE PULL YOUR HEAD OUT, THE SET DATE IS APRIL 01 2008..........10-4 ICEMAN HAS LOST ALL CREDITABILITY.........4-10

LOST ALL CREDITABILITY on what charles? i'm probably the strongest advacate for this shutdown but everyone here keeps coming up with different dates, thats why this thing will never work. i was told by sandy at OOIDA that march 28,29,30 was the dates, they are not supporting it but they are aware of it. you guys are coming up with april 1,2,3 out of the thin air. we need to get these date right. it's not a creditability issue, whats up with that crap?

OK, ITS LATE I'M TIRED PARDON THE CAPS...CAPT.K CALLED OOIDA (NOTE ABOVE READ IT), I WAS WRONG TO SAY THAT, I AM SORRY! OOIDA ARE A BUNCH OF JERKOFFS ANYWAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WAS THINKING. DAN LITTLE @USCATTLEHAULERS HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON THIS SHUTDOWN, HAS HAD INTERVIEWS, HAD PHONE CALLS FROM VARIOUS IMPORTANT CONTACTS AND HAS BEEN QUOTED ON NUMEROUS WEBSITES. USCATTLEHAULERS SEEM TO HAVE THEIR STUFF TOGEATHER, GOOD OUTLINE OF ALL THE ISSUES, CONTACTS ECT. ECT......... APRIL 01 2008 IS ON.......................ITS POSTED ON THE NUMEROUS WEBSITES..... AS I SUGGESTED EARLY GOGGLE... TRUCKERS GOING BROKE THREATENING STRIKE APR 01..... NOW CLICK ON THE FRIST TEN SITES AND READ AND WEEP APRIL 01 2008.......COPY OVER...10-4 AKA CHAZZ PEACE BROTHER

Regarding the boycott of Exxon-Mobil, it's a hoax. You can check it out here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/gasout.asp As for the date of the shutdown, anyone who would schedule it for April 1st is playing you for a fool -- or had you forgotten that's April Fools' Day? May 1st, on the other hand, happens to be the date when labor all over the world demonstrates -- except in the United States until recently. If you hadn't noticed, for the past few years there have been MILLIONS of protesters all over the country on May 1st. It is a buy-nothing day and people don't go to work or school. If the shut-down is on May 1st, international May Day, you'll be adding their numbers to your own. Now there may be some who don't want to be associated with immigrant rights, however the big multinational corporations will bring in cheap foreign labor whenever they can and will continue to outsource U.S. jobs to where labor is cheaper whenever they can. You may not think this has much to do with you, but anything that ruins our economy will hurt everyone. The free trade and globalization policies that have destroyed the economies of other countries are now destroying our own economy. The Teamsters Union has understood this are has been opposing GATT, NAFTA, and other free trade treaties for a long time. May Day organizers all over the U.S. have expressed a willingness to help circulate your flyers. You can either join the struggle and make common cause against a common enemy with millions of others, or you can Lone Ranger it on April Fools' Day. If you choose the second option and meet with little or no success, you will still be able to try again on May 1st when you will have the strength of numbers. Here's another article you might look at if you have any qualms about joining with pro-immigrant protesters: http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/Major_grower_ends_crop_lacking_work_03242008.html Without the crops, a lot of truckers will nave nothing to haul, even as the price of food goes up along with the cost of gas. These are not isolated issues and we are not alone.

Capt Klutterbuck thanks for digging into the big 4 shutting down. Fact not Fiction is what this movement needs. Please state facts only as fiction will only hinder success. If anyone can find out about JB Hunt & Challenger, please let us know.

Charles Miller, My head is out, along with about everything else thanks to the economy! US Cattlehaulers shutdown started as a industry specfic boycott. It also really doesn't have that big of following. If you search the way you say, yes to will primarily pull up just that issue. I have found nemerous articles about truckers in general, wanting a shutdown. The problem has been getting the word out to as many as possible with ONE date for a start. The gathering in DC the April 15th was something I had not heard about until I did a search. GA drivers striking, again, not until I searched. And the list goes on. I believed most everyone wants to see a shutdown. So again I say; Enough is Enough, Shutdown May 1st-8th. 10-4

MY GOD, Typical trucker BS You GUYS do what ever you want, you got to be to be kidding me! I for one won't align myself with a bunch or jerk offs, punks, thugs, wanta be 60-70 copycat liberal pussy's. You must have never seen coverage of this element of our society during May Day protests..PATHTIC !!When in the hell will you people figure out we (as per the dips ata 450,000 O/O strong) do not have to ride on anybody's coat tails. Isn't any wonder why this Industry is in the shape its in. I give up on you guys. AS JOHN WAYNE SAID "LIFE IS TOUGH ENOUGH, ITS EVEN TOUGHER WHEN YOUR STUPID"

Charles Miller, just because the Teamsters are opposed to GATT and NAFTA does not make them, "jerk offs, punks, thugs, wanta be 60-70 copycat liberal pussy's." They found out the hard way that with globalization, the only way labor has a chance is in solidarity with international labor. If the corporations globalize and labor doesn't, who wins? Your John Wayne quote is correct, you're just aiming it the wrong way.

I too am an owner operators wife. We have our truck leased on with Schneider. Fortunately we own our truck!! These four companys do have programs for owner operators, the trucks you see on the roads are not all company drivers. My husband logs on-line and pick his own loads, pays for his own fuel, and still does not bring any bacon home just like the rest of you. But for you to assume or say that these 4 large carriers don't run on the weekends is a joke. I would love to know what state you live in that you don't see any of these truck on your roads. My husband is gone "most" if not "all" weekends of every month missing countless, football, basketball and now baseball games, to merely make chump change. I have been searching the internet for countless days to figure out when the "shutdown" is really going to occur. Getting an accurate date would be nice so that I could try to get a "father of 2" home. Maybe atleast if he is going to be parked, it can be in our driveway and spending his time going to a baseball game and not sitting it out in a parking lot.

This is the response I got from Donna Ryun at OOIDA Our experience has shown us that the majority of our members would not shutdown long enough for a strike to be effective. We do not take a position on whether or not to strike. We are a trade association, not a collective bargaining unit. We cannot legally call for a strike. However, we support our members in what they are doing, and that's whether they are driving or parking. It's totally up to them. There's no lack of response on OOIDA's part. OOIDA is speaking daily to mainstream media about how fuel prices are affecting independent truckers and the future health of the industry. Our staff members have fielded calls from dozens of journalists from all over the country, and provided them with information and background. We've worked hard to put them in touch with members for interviews and we've even arranged ride-alongs. Todd Spencer appears nearly every day on syndicated shows to provide information and clarification on this issue. OOIDA's government affairs folks in Washington DC are pushing hard for new legislation that would call for disclosure of fuel surcharges on freight transactions and a 100% pass through of any fuel surcharges to the person who actually pays for the fuel. We want brokers to keep their hands off of fuel surcharge money that was intended to go to the trucker who bears the cost of the fuel. We're asking our members to contact lawmakers to help us in this mission. OOIDA's president has petitioned the Bush administration to cease the diversion of oil supplies to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and allow the oil to directly enter the marketplace. We're asking them to use their authority to ensure that our American fuel producers and refiners stop the exportation of diesel to the highest bidder and keep the product in our own country. Truckers must also do their part. Run compliant, refuse to haul freight that will not pay for the fuel and truck expenses. Rates will only go up if truckers leave cheap freight sitting on the docks. Encourage all truckers to join OOIDA. We need to stick together during these tough times. Contact lawmakers to let them know what's really going on with your business and the high fuel prices, and ask them to support legislation that would even the playing field for truckers. Historically, shutdowns have not worked for the trucking industry. Some truckers are still making money and have no reason to want a work stoppage. Others simply won't shutdown for their own personal reasons. A failed shutdown would damage our credibility, which would be disastrous to our ability to convince lawmakers to take action on behalf of truckers. If all 3.5 million truckers would join OOIDA, there would never be a need to call for a strike. OOIDA members would benefit greatly from spreading the word and convincing other truckers to join. I hope we have your support

I'm an O/O myself. I live in Texas and have been sitting in Brush Co. for 2 days trying to get a load out of here. the rates are just to low for me to move. I keep reading that Shoestring1 says we are shutting down on May 1st. Quite frankly I havn't read anywhere where they are shutting down on May 1st. So I wish he would shut up about May 1st. It seems he is the only one shutting down on that day. I will be shutting as soon as I get home. If I can even make it home. I will be shut down on April 1 untill something gets resolved. I am doin my best to not sound so negative. Shoestring1,,, How do you in find it possible to wait until May. It like everything else people say about truckdrivers,,, we cant agree on a same color sky. There is always someone trying to make things difficult or change something. I think you are by yourself on May 1. April 1 is is what all the other sites are saying, and as for as the fortune 500 trucking companies shutting down on March 29 30 and 31. I think that is great that they are doin it at that time. It will give a little kick start to all the others to follow suit. Once they have shut down, it will make media attention. Other companies will say, hey they are doin it, we'll stand behind them and they will in turn shut down. I have read every post on here. I see a great family of drivers comin together. All we have out here on the road is our family of drivers. I will stand behind my fellow truckers and support the shutdown. I wish all of you the best. I hope we all pull out of this.

Now what the hell are you talking about Mark from Commie land. I'm not talking about the Teamster's I'm talking about the crack pots that show up at all these causes just to wreak havoc. As I see it GLOBELASTION, NAFTA, GATT THE NEW WORLD ORDER is going to change our country into something we are all going to regret. THATS ANOTHER ISSUE! All I'm saying is we need to stand alone as INDEPENDENT OWNERS OPERATORS and DEMAND the ISSUES that effect US be ADDRESSED, WHY have our PLIGHT be thrown in the pot with all the world problems. We need max amount of ATTENTION... NOW..... not back page news 30 DAYS from now!!!!!!!!!!

After, reading several posts on here about Schneider National participating in this "Shutdown", I decided to contact them myself "especially since my husband is an owner operator leased on with them". This is the response that I received directly from ad-request@schneider.com. Melissa, Schneider National is NOT connected to, nor participating in any rumored trucking shutdowns. These activities do not solve problems. What we CAN do as a company, an industry and a country is to conserve this precious resource by slowing down, reducing idle, driving defensively and using less oil. We also have to find alternative sources of power to reduce our reliance on oil. Foreign competition for oil is a matter of fact and we have to do our part to conserve. Trucking shutdowns do not solve problems – they only divide the industry from the customer. We will not do anything to alienate our customers or endanger our drivers. I just felt it necessary to forward this information on. I wanted to confirm this, especially since we live in Texas and my Husband is in Florida and cannot afford to pick a load with the fuel the way it is their. Which is the worst of two evils "The expense we have for him sitting day and night at a truckstop on meals and showers or accepting our losses, taking a load that won't amount to a hill of beans, so that he can come home"?

YOU People are driving me nuts! I'm with Wayland and Mellie exactly what they said. Irena well, GET WITH IT, THINGS have CHANGED. OOIDA fell asleep at the wheel years ago! 3.4 MILLION DRIVERS out here 160,000 members I WOULD SAY YOU MUST BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. 3.4 MILLION X $45.00= DAM I can't even write that,but I bet you can! That would set your bunch up pretty good huh.......TIME FOR TALK IS OVER ITS "SHOCK AND AWE TIME".!!!!!!!!!!!I like mY BROTHER have been sitting in LAREDO SINCE WEDS SAYING NO TO CHEAP FREIGHT, Booked a load this A.M. (CHEAP FREIGHT) So I can be home for the APR 01 08 SHUTDOWN. CHAZZ STYLE... SO do whatever, whenever, its just a matter of time, ALL THE INDEPENDENTS WILL BE OUT OF BUSSINESS, THE MEXICANS MUSLUIMS, SERBS, KREDS, INDIANS, RUSSIANS ECT. ECT. CAN FILL OUR SHOES AN WORK FOR NOTHING, THE CORPRATE GOVERNMENT WILL BE HAPPY, AND I'LL FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO......

Okay, the bigots and xenophobes will be shutting down on April Fools' Day, because they're too dumb to understand that by hating furriners instead of uniting with them against globalization, they're cutting their own throats, and everyone else will be shutting down May 1st to 8th.
Got it.

Go read this http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/ca6544550.html?nid=4144 this is one of the feed backs from the site Though I am not an O/O any longer, I did deal with this as an owner and found that the average fuel return to O/O was less than half of the collected fuel rebate. On average the Company’s collect between 23% and 25% as a fuel surcharge. So on a 1500 mile run the owner was paid ant my time 0.23 cents on the mile that ='s $345.00 when the company collected $727.95 for the fuel surcharge. E.g. Charge per mile 1500 x $2.11= $3165.00 Fuel surcharge $3,165 x 23% = $727.95 Total freight charge $3,892.95 The average paid to driver leased to a company was $1.36 per mile that’s with the fuel surcharge added in. So what the company makes on the load is $3,892.95 less $2,040.00 to the O/O. $1,852.95 is the profit made by the company also charges the O/O a percent of his earnings to cover Insurance, usually 3% of his gross income. So now the driver makes $1,978.80. The average cost to fuel was about $2.58 per gallon and the average MPG was 5.5 miles per gallon so it would cost the O/O an average of 273 gallon of fuel to deliver that load. Cost to driver $704.34 - $345.00 =$359.34 Total income is now $1,619.46 That’s now $1.07964 per mile. But that’s not all the O/O costs to deliver load, and I will get into that at this time. So the Company makes $1,852.95 on that load free and clear with no worries about Meals, wear and tear on their truck, Time to Load and Unload freight that is not paid for to driver until after 4 hrs at the dock, that’s 2 hrs loading 2 hrs unloading. Delay in traffic, weather conditions and Border Crossing time. Cost for a wrecker if a problem arises. When all these things are factored in the average pay might be $0.58 cents per mile profit. Most companies give a Leased Operator just enough miles to keep them running but not enough to make it profitable.

This shutdown CAN work if the target is the right entity. We need to target the Government NOT the oil companies. If the Government reduced their fuel tax and all their other taxes we would be doing a lot better than we are now. With all due respect for Schneider National those ideas are for the most part just not sustainable or obtainable for the O/O. It's nice to say slow down or do not use as much oil but some of us live in the real world where we do not have the backing of a huge corp to get us new efficient equipment that doesn't burn oil. As far as alternative power like what? the new fuels cost even more than regular diesel when you factor in all the other things into acquiring it. You know, forget what I said about "all due respect", Schneider can go to hell along with the rest of them who have no problem using us for their profit but refuse to stand with us when we need to stand up for ourselves. I wonder how they would react if we said that they need pay 100% of fuel on top? Thing they would stand with us then against the government?

You know this may not turn out the way we hope it does. But by god atleast we stand together for something (for a change). How can we make the public and the goverment understand our problems if they don't hear us. they don't have CB's you know. I can't even make my own 29 year old son understand that we are going broke. When all he sees is the money comeing in. They don't understand that ity goes back out in fuel, taxes, repairs. All they see is the nice truck and the harley in the driveway. Not the loss on a schedule C. A shut down is the only way!!!!

MARK...."NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A GROUP OF DUMB PEOPLE" WHAT IS FURRINERS? DO YOU MEAN FORIGNER hmm........AND PLEASE DO NOT REFER TO ME AS A XENOPHOBES!!!! I PREFER MISFIT....A MISFIT AMONG MISFITS

Excellent Post Irene (Posted by irene on March 25, 2008 at 12:04 PM)

my2cents.i`m not here to tell anyone right or wrong.i remember not so long ago fuel got over 2.50 a gallon and the talk well,their was a lot of it and although i believe most are passionate about the issue.the issue really isn`t the price of fuel.fuel was the trigger.the real problem is the price of freight and the availiable drivers willing to haul it for less.my truck has sat quite a bit the past two years because of my rates.i`ve had the good paying runs and lost them to someone who thought they could make more by hauling more loads.some of those companies have called me recently.funny i think.i now have a contract that i have worked hard for and am very happy with.anyhow sorry if i ramble in short they will pay the rates to move the loads...i should add i did all of this before the mexican trucks were allowed to cross.don`t know if that is a factor or not but good luck with the strike and i will keep doing it my way...

My husband has been an otr trucker for over 30 years so I can really feel for all the drivers and their families. My experience has been that you are all talk. There are not enough drivers with the support of their families to stage a shutdown. A coast to coast shutdown is the only thing that will make everyone stand up and listen. Everything tangible has at one time or another been on a truck, without the trucking industry this country would be barren. You all talk the talk now why don't you walk the walk, stand up and say enough is enough. This country needs you guys in order to survive and it's time everyone realized it. I am without my husband for weeks because he is trucking for an ungrateful America and I'm tired of the trickle down effect, my family pays for it with the increase in the cost of living and the decrease in our income. This because the bureauocrats want to put more money in their pockets by raising fuel prices, we know who owns the oil companies. Stand up truckers unite enough is enough. Only you can do it. Posted by bigred on March 25, 2008 at 8:37 PM

My husband has been an otr trucker for over 30 years so I can really feel for all the drivers and their families. My experience has been that you are all talk. There are not enough drivers with the support of their families to stage a shutdown. A coast to coast shutdown is the only thing that will make everyone stand up and listen. Everything tangible has at one time or another been on a truck, without the trucking industry this country would be barren. You all talk the talk now why don't you walk the walk, stand up and say enough is enough. This country needs you guys in order to survive and it's time everyone realized it. I am without my husband for weeks because he is trucking for an ungrateful America and I'm tired of the trickle down effect, my family pays for it with the increase in the cost of living and the decrease in our income. This because the bureauocrats want to put more money in their pockets by raising fuel prices, we know who owns the oil companies. Stand up truckers unite enough is enough. Only you can do it. Posted by bigred on March 25, 2008 at 8:37 PM

you guys must be the same lame brain think you know it all but don't know jack drivers I see and hear throughout the country.Listen to some of the smarter people here.This shutdown as its going will accomplish nothing.Opec doesn't care if we strike or not.Oil reserves will increase if we do and then production will be cut and prices will rise.If you work somewhere that doesn't pass along 100% surcharge then you have missed the point and will cease to function soon.Some things do need changed but this shutdown will never get anything done or ever happen.I'm not happy with any of the for mentioned items in this blog but I have made more clear money in the last 3 years than I ever have.It pays to hunt good companies with good freight instead of griping about how many problems you have with yours.

you guys must be the same lame brain think you know it all but don't know jack drivers I see and hear throughout the country.Listen to some of the smarter people here.This shutdown as its going will accomplish nothing.Opec doesn't care if we strike or not.Oil reserves will increase if we do and then production will be cut and prices will rise.If you work so