New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has vetoed the Truck Operator Independent Contractor Act which would have barred Owner Operators and other non-employees from hauling loads in and out of ports in New Jersey.
The act was passed on May 30th following a 43-30 Assembly approval under fears that trucking companies were intentionally misclassifying drivers as independent contractors instead of employees to avoid paying benefits and negate certain employee labor laws.
Among the reasons Governor Christie listed for vetoing the bill was that criminal charges could be brought against companies that misclassified drivers even accidentally. This was in addition to the issue that the cost of operating in New Jersey ports would undoubtedly go up, causing shippers to relocate their goods to other nearby ports, costing the state money in lost tax income.
According to Overdrive Online, Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski who initially sponsored the bill expressed concern that Christie’s veto might allow some trucking companies to “continue to skirt the law.”
Governor Christie’s veto can only be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and Assembly.
Next Story: 24% of Vehicles OOS During Roadcheck 2013
Source: overdrive
It’s good that Mr. Christie vetoed this bill; however, it sounds as though he did so for the wrong reasons. This article seems to indicate that he is motivated to protect companies who accidentally miscategorize a driver. This misses the point. A lot of drivers who haul containers into and out of ports ARE independent contractors (owner operators), not company employees.
The dems. try anything they can to make the union more money, then channel it to there reelection funds.
The dems? Isnt The Gov a repub?
Yes Chris Christie is a republican governor. I didn’t vote for him but I damn sure appreciate him vetoing that law. I am an owner operator who utilizes other owner operators as independent contractors. Saves me a bunch of headaches. Thanks Christie!