This past week marked a significant event for women in the trucking industry as 18 female leaders from various sectors within trucking converged on Washington D.C. The group, representing the American Trucking Associations’ Women In Motion (WIM), engaged in pivotal discussions with both Congress members and White House officials. Their aim was to advocate for legislative support that would bolster opportunities and conditions for women in the trucking sector.
Events and Engagements:
The two-day visit was packed with strategic meetings designed to elevate the presence and influence of women in trucking. The agenda included roundtable discussions with members of the House Education & the Workforce Committee and House Republican leadership staff, a breakfast with Congress members, and a special meeting at the White House. Additionally, personal interactions with key figures such as Congressman Rick Larsen of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee highlighted the visit.
Legislative Advocacy:
Central to their mission, WIM members promoted several pieces of legislation critical to enhancing the trucking environment for women. Notably, they pushed for the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act aimed at establishing safe truck parking facilities, and the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act, which would facilitate access to CDL training for lower-income aspirants. Another significant focus was the opposition to the U.S. Department of Labor’s independent contractor rule, which impacts many female truckers who prefer the independent contractor model for its flexibility and economic benefits.
Personal Testimonies and Advocacy:
To make their case compelling, WIM members distributed a booklet containing testimonials from women truckers nationwide. These stories detailed personal experiences and underscored the importance of maintaining independent contractor
Source:
https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/women-trucking-leaders-meet-top-washington-policymakers
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