{"id":1130,"date":"2020-10-27T16:12:45","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T16:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiremaster.com\/trucking-news\/?p=1130"},"modified":"2020-10-27T16:12:47","modified_gmt":"2020-10-27T16:12:47","slug":"trucking-answered-the-call-in-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiremaster.com\/trucking-news\/other-news\/2020\/10\/27\/trucking-answered-the-call-in-2020\/1130\/","title":{"rendered":"Trucking Answered the Call in 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Al Muskewitz
<\/strong>
The profile of the American trucker has been raised perhaps to its highest level in a generation as the nation battles to maintain its way of life during the COVID-19 crisis and industry leaders earlier this week recognized trucking\u2019s efforts to keep the country moving through the crisis.

American Trucking Associations president and CEO Chris Spear highlighted the industry\u2019s response to the crisis outlined its challenges going forward Monday in his annual State of the Industry address at the federation\u2019s virtual 2020 Management Conference.

\u201c2020 has been a year of endless challenges,\u201d Spear said, \u201cbut like our great industry, the American Trucking Associations hasn\u2019t shut down, backed down or sat things out. We\u2019ve rolled up our sleeves and we\u2019re getting the job done. Throughout this pandemic trucking has done what it does best: care.

\u201cWhile others in (Washington) D.C. panicked, the ATA led, giving direction and certainty to our members when it mattered most. Our combined efforts have helped put America on a path to full recovery.\u201d

In the early days of the pandemic when essential products were at a premium, it was truck drivers who kept the shelves stocked. Even as the response continues, truck drivers have gotten a collective high-five as they roll down the road and pull into the local grocery store.\u00a0

The ATA led the effort to give carriers essential status and keep facilities open for drivers to complete their missions during the pandemic. But their reach went beyond that. They\u2019ve also brought much-needed relief to areas ravaged by the multiple storms that have hit the southern states this hurricane season.

\u201cAmerica is paying attention to trucking,\u201d Spear said. \u201cWe\u2019ll always answer the call when our country needs us most. Trucking isn\u2019t just the backbone of our economy… it\u2019s the heartbeat of this nation.\u201d\u00a0

Moving forward, the organization will continue to address other major industry issues such as tort and legal reform, the shortage of drivers and technicians and long-term funding for the country\u2019s infrastructure.

Expanding the industry\u2019s workforce remains a top priority, which includes support for programs related to bringing aboard drivers under 21 for interstate commerce and minority outreach.\u00a0

\u201c2020 opened our eyes to the importance of diversity and the trucking industry is no exception,\u201d Spear said.

To that end, ATA established a diversity working group to support the Workforce Development Policy Committee. The group will \u201cshine a brighter light\u201d on efforts to expand urban hiring, including people of color and women, and initiatives that increase minority representation in the executive ranks, including partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Al Muskewitz is Editor of Wright Media. He can be reached at musky@wrightmediacorp.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
To read Spear\u2019s full State of the Industry address, click here<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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