A federal judge has struck down PAM Transport’s motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit against it. The decision could have a huge impact on driver pay reform efforts.
Truck drivers are typically paid by the mile, not by the hour. But thanks to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), truck drivers still need to be paid at least minimum wage when their work is calculated on an hourly basis. This means that even if a driver is paid for tasks performed, the total payment needs to be at least as much as if they were being paid minimum wage for each hour they worked.
In 2016, three truck drivers sued PAM Transport for failing to pay them at least minimum wage. Nearly 3,000 other drivers joined them in the class action lawsuit. The drivers claimed that since they still had job responsibilities even when they weren’t on duty, those hours should count towards their hours worked.
PAM tried to get the case thrown out, but Judge Timothy Brooks of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas denied their motion to dismiss. Judge Brooks wrote a strongly worded memorandum saying that “there is no ambiguity,” and that time spent in a truck while not eating or sleeping – even if that time isn’t logged as “on-duty” – must be counted towards hours worked.
According to Business Insider, the judge’s decision essentially means that a driver could be entitled to minimum wage for 16 hours per workday. Only the 8 hour’s rest when the company does not expect the driver to be working shouldn’t count as hours worked. That means drivers would need to make at least $116 per 16-hour day. That’s $812 per week.
“It’s worth noting the case only stands for the proposition that carriers must pay their drivers $7.25 per hour,” said the lead attorney representing the drivers, Justin Swidler. “Under the FLSA, hourly wages are considered over the course of a whole workweek. This means that while carriers nationwide should understand their minimum wage exposure, companies which pay reasonable wages to their drivers have no reason for concern.”
In the past truckers have filed multiple successful class action suits against carriers who they believed weren’t paying ‘reasonable wages.’ C.R. England for example paid $2.35 million in a similar case in 2016. And the year before that, PAM settled a similar class action case with drivers for $3.45 million.
This decision could be great news not just for those drivers who are paid poorly, but also for those who are well above the minimum wage threshold. As those companies who pay the least are forced to pay more, other companies may have to raise their wages in kind to remain competitive. A pay bump at the bottom could have a ripple effect all the way up the pay scale.
Source: gobytrucknews, truckinginfo, businessinsider, ttnews, freightwaves
Samuel gallezzo says
PAM is actually a pretty good company and most companies have been screwing drivers on this issue. I dont think it goes far enough. Even when you’re sleeping you are still responsible for company equipment. You should be paid minimum wage for every hour your not driving and a higher rate when rolling. This would stop companies from making drivers sit without pay.
Brad Godfrey says
So, your solution would be to pay drivers even when they are sleeping. So, lets use your scenario. Your out for three weeks a month. Home for one week. So, thats 21 days out typically a month. 21days x 24 hours in a day. So, that is 504 hours a month where you are responsible for the equipment. So, thats 504 x $7.25/ hour. Total is $3654.00. Now, lets say you drive 9 hours actual driving everyday and they give you an additional $6.00 and hour to drive so $13.25/ hr to drive. $6.00 additionally to drive x 189 hours of actual drive time. That would be a total of $1134.00 for the driving portion. So, grand total is $ 4788 x 12 months a year would be $57,456.00 a year. Arent most truck drivers making that a year now? So, what would be the change. I think for some drivers, that would be a pay cut.
Zer0chick says
I made $17,542 working for PAM. 1st year. So no, 57k would not be a pay cut.
Cowboy says
Truck company Accountants don’t add up the HOS the way you just did sir Godfrey. Company accountants and the money up and then subtract to the interest of the Company not the company employee. Hell they don’t even add up those numbers in favor of the owner operator.
Man is a sick individual and doesn’t give a hoot so they fix the numbers in favor of the other guy.
Silverbullet says
Miles driven, not chasing pennies and getting oh…ah…. PAID for your OFF-TIME while you are acting as a Security Guard for COMPANY PROPERTY. Remember, this is NOT your O/O Equipment ! It is the Company’s equipment you are safe guarding and also any possible freight that may be on the trailer you are in possession of.
What is YOUR FREE TIME worth to you ?
Harry Davis says
Don’t no average truck driver make no such thing bottom line is pay us what we do from home away from ill love ones ok this is also a dangerous job these truck companies are greedy and cheap
Sue Kiml says
no that is absolutely not what most drivers are being paid
Cowboy says
PAM Transport was one of the worst company’s on the road aside from SWIFT, CRST and CREngland. There are some good companies around but you can’t get to them because they rarely hire in cities where freight is hard to come by. I was an employee of SWIFT then PAM. Having to deal with faceless individuals who will remain nameless because memory fails to remember the names of buttholes and ignorant people. PAM only guarantees you 1700 to 1800 miles per week. and Swift well they couldn’t guarantee nothing but being broke. So it is a welcome that a Judge has to hold companies like these two and some others accountable when they don’t want to be accountable themselves. I pray that the current settlements I am reading about will afford me some back paywages much needed and much deserved.
OG glowski says
I agree.I was let go due to some technical difficulties in Michigan
Ed Sanderson says
Thank God. We are not slaves. Thank the judge for being fair and just. THANKS FOR GOOD REPORTS LIKE THIS ONE.
Babs says
Was does that say for jobs where you are promised 1300 a week for solo driving? Isn’t it like false advertising to say that and not get it. If so there should be a lot of class action lawsuits. Also what about equal pay?
Jeff says
This report seems to be a bit ambiguous. I’m not sure what is considered to be a low wage. Also does this ruling apply to all companies that also pay the “ low wages”.
Robert G says
$813 weekly. Top of the article
Delbert spiece says
Yeah, the ripple effect up the pay scale means ,until the pay difference is balanced, drivers who normally would be paid more for experience will not receive the pay raises they would normally earn going forward so the “less experienced “ drivers can be paid more. Sure, some companies need to stop underpaying drivers, but balance sheets are what they are and many companies that do pay well for expirence, cannot afford to continue doing so going forward if forced to “overpay” less experience just to make things equal.
Urban Cletus says
You are right on about balance sheets. Not sure everybody understands that. Whether a company pays you $80k/year in cpm or $80k/year in $/hour, it’s still $80k/year.
ChromeGetsYouHome says
$80k/year is also figured on someone working 16 hours/day, 7 days/week, 52 weeks/year. If this goes through, I think the unintended consequences are: 1. this will be great for the average driver initially, at least until carriers start tracking home time and terminating drivers who aren’t meeting their productivity requirements. Carriers won’t pay someone who doesn’t hustle to treat the truck like an apartment. 2. this could be bad for the top, most productive drivers. When carriers have to pay more to the worst of their drivers, it typically means that has to come from somewhere. Obviously, passing along increased freight costs to shippers to boost up pay to the worst drivers won’t be easy. 3. Driving will become more regional, as carriers will want to send drivers home rather than paying them just to sit. If a driver works on average ((6 days/week x 16 hours/day) x $7.25/hour) x 46 weeks, that’s $32,016/year. Hopefully, some of these items wouldn’t work out like this. Most good drivers who are employed or contracted to good motor carriers are making multiples of $32,016 per year.
com.bil says
All you nah sayers are forgetting, if these lawyers are any good, they will interject the issue of 40 hr work week, time and a half for overtime ,and state wage requirements for the domicile home of the individual drivers that would be fair for everyone !
Hairy Faced. says
what it really means is companies will raise pricing to completely offset loss,, companies using those carriers will raise prices to completely offset their cost, and right on down the line until the consumer pays. We are all consumers and we all lose when State gets involved. Two things you can’t legislate, market prices and morality.
David says
I think the biggest detail here that everyone seems to be missing is that once again we’re trying to make all drivers equal when we’re are far from it. What happens is Bob hears about Danny his coworker clearing $1600+ a week consistently and because Bob is away from home 6 days a week just like Danny here can’t understand why he averages$600-800 a week. It all comes down to miles as we all know already and now what’s the very first thing we’re gonna hear from Bob? “I always get crappy loads with low miles and long wait times for load/ unload appointments. It’s been my personal observations in situations like this that have proven time and again why certain drivers are always complaining about a low paycheck. Every company I’ve ever drove for assigned loads based on the driver and his or her ability to meet customer or company expectations. Somewhere along the line Bob consistently showed that he either couldn’t didn’t want to or didn’t care to prioritize or value how he carried out his job. The only two causes for this I’ve seen are either a lack of initiative work ethic planning and decision making by the driver or a poorly educated and trained driver which can be the driver or companies fault. Truck driving is by far one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever had and one of the best paying too. I’d like to believe that anyone can figure out how to make big bucks in a reasonably short amount of time on the job in this industry all by themselves. If the money is that important you’ll find a way. Network and ask question to other drivers dm’s mechanics, educate yourself a little every day instead of starting away at Facebook. Learn how to change your own windshield wipers instead of having to relay your load to me because it’s gonna be a 4-6 hour wait till TA can get you in. (I’m not making this shit up). Companies need to educate and train employees better. Require higher scores on test then threw state minimum passing grade. Develop the physical skillsets to a level reinforces the drivers confidence in his ability to operate a CMV in any situation. I blows my mind daily how many “professional drivers” won’t, can’t, or struggle emensley to park their truck in an actual parking spot intended for an 18wheeler. That’d be like a librarian not knowing how to read. Take pride in your job and your ability to perform it as expected by the customer i.e your company. Then strive to exceed those expectations. Learn everything you can until people are coming to you for advice or knowledge. If this sounds like to much work or time away from the playstation then don’t bother whining about a mediocre paycheck. No one else is gonna magical get you better loads if you can’t even prove to others that your reliable, punctual and capable of making good decisions and having your priorities straight while on your own hundreds of miles from home. There will be obstacles and issues just like there are in every job but eventually you’ll see what all you have to put into your job if you want to be paid better then most your coworkers. I’d your doing all this and still not making good money then you might want to research some better employers.
Eric Rawlins says
Tear, tear… sooo many tears… feeling bad for the companies that bent you over for the last 40 years? Nope, not this guy!
David Ciancaglione says
Typical bottom feeder carrier, like the rest of them. Claiming freight rates are down, yet can drop millions on court settlements like it’s pocket change. In my opinion, drivers are paid at 1980’s wages when compared to inflation over the years. Keep on trucking, for nothing.
Shar says
You are absolutely right. And any truck driver still trying that OTR garbage is wasting their time. I used to sit for Schneider or Wenger for 8 hours and not get paid a dime. Even worse for Air-Land. There are plenty of times when I said I wasn’t even making minimum wage. All that changed when I went to a local company.
Scott says
Yep driving three days a week making $625-700. A week home every night no more OTR ever.
Robert E Rosser says
Thanks to Jimmy Carter the trucking industry was deregulated in 1980, as per the big carriers lobbying for wage control. And if the Democrats get in power on November 6th, a carbon tax will be slapped on every miles a truck drives. The ‘tax’ will be passed on to the customer but taken from you, and the reasoning will come in the form of a memo saying “in order for us to continue to stay in business we must all take the brunt of this new tax” further reducing a truckers wages. We are up against big industry and corporate executives who could give a crap about any of us (experienced or green) and they want to divide in order to get their way. We must all come together, company drivers, owner operators or independents, in order to get fair wages and respect.
David says
I agree
com.bil says
You may not realize it but the recent changes in the way freight is handled is exactly the way it was done when that very deregulation was passed . Now there are only a few brokers CH Robinson, being the largest, and requiring every one else to pay to play, with the dispatch broker, freight forwarder, and several other new terms where car dealers and everyone else who has a business license, and a product liability policy, and a computer can get in the truck dispatching business ! The brilliant part of it is, it is all self verified,how cute is that ?
Jim says
They’ll either pay the experienced drivers competitively or they’ll lose them to someone else regardless of what other drivers are paid.
That’s the beauty of it.
Delbert spiece says
Your being short sighted….it’s not one, it’s all. Soon nobody will be able to pay more for experience. That’s the goal…equal pay for everyone..your experience won’t make a damn bit a difference.
Gus says
Then they will be out of business!
Jon says
Some companies dont want good, experienced, safe drivers. They want cheap drivers straight out of school.
Sad but true.
GREGORY HALLEY says
You’re absolutely correct Jon! I have 13 years experience and PAM wanted to pay me .35 mile. They need to be sued again!
Sharon says
This is really looking bad for PAM. If you leave your drivers sitting and waiting on loads or don’t get them decent miles, along with the already poor pay to get them $116 per day…wow, that means PAM really really sucks as an employer.
And why only $7.25? Is that national minimum wage? I know it is minimum wage for crap states like Iowa, but many others have increased it higher than that.
Big Joe says
That’s the federal minimum wage.
Kirk says
It’s the federal minimum not state level minimum
Mike says
Can some one actually tell me the last time you worked for 7.25$ a hour driving a truck. Maybe 20 years ago.if that report stands true god bless them drivers
Robert E Rosser says
Actually 20 years ago truck driver wages were higher based on the cost of living. And DOT penalties were lower. We, as drivers need to stand up together as drivers in order to get the pay and respect we deserve, and if that means shutting down the country for a couple days or weeks than so be it.
com.bil says
If you live in Idaho, who do you not contact your congress people, and bing that issue up ?
Shane says
we are both ditch diggers performing the same task at the same rate generating the same revenue. You mean to tell me a guy who has more experience at digging ditches gets paid more? What if I dig faster and generate more revenue? I think the guy with more tenure with a company should receive more in the way of benefits.
Thomas says
Drivers should be paid by the hour anyway just like the clock monkeys on the dock that sure know how to milk it when they want to which forces a drivers pay check to go down for several hours.
Detention pay is a joke if there are no clear rules.
Jon says
I agree with you brother. Once your clock.has started, you should be getting paid by the mile while driving, and by the hour even if your sitting in off duty (for the total of 14 hours). Sleeper is the only time you shouldnt be getting paid. Simple fix. Only go into sleeper when your in YOUR down time, not while your at a shipper. It’s a simple fix, but until all of us drivers come together, I doubt it will ever change. Hopefully tho.
Tim Hardin says
Jon, so true. But I can see it now. I go onto On Duty Not Driving after bumping the dock.
SEVERAL hours later (let’s say 5 hours) I’m empty/loaded. I notify my company that I only have “such-n-such” hours left to drive (say 8.25 – that’s after a 15 minute pre-trip inspection and 30 minutes to get to the dock – I know… PLENTY OF TIME TO DO SO). My dispatcher responds by saying…”Hey, you just got up (I slept at the shipper/consignee) and you should have at least 13 hours left to work!”
Can you see them accepting the notion that I am a “safe/professional by-the-book driver” and was on duty the whole time since getting out of bed with work to do? Lol. And guess what my dispatcher friend… you guys owe me $36.25.
40.95.247.365 says
I agree completely
All these truckers talking about safety; I worked and trained for some of the major carriers…they want me to figure out how to get it done by any means necessary; if not, you’ll sit till you’ve learned your lesson
DRIVERS THAT TALK BACK, DONT GET WORK
I started in this business at over a thousand a week, and after a year was making over fifteen hundred a week
But I work; to hell with the laws
I don’t worry about the law, I worry about my bills
For three years I blew past every weigh station, and I only recently got my first ticket in Pennsylvania for doing so; found the one trooper in the northeast specifically looking for folks bypassing the weigh station
$150 one time in three years of passing EVERY weigh station…..
WORTH IT
Safety has always been my ONLY concern; and if you think I let some trainee with two weeks of school (England) get behind the wheel of everything I Am responsible for…heck no! Two years of training without ever so much as a scratch on my equipment; mission accomplished
I’ll drive your time, my time, and then your time to get to our destination before I sleep
I’ve gone months only getting less than twenty hours of sleep a week; YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU
WHO WOULD WORK FOR EIGHT HUNDRED A WEEK IN THIS BUSINESS!!!!????!?!??!!??!??!!?!!?!?
I’m now solo, thirty years old; I work two weeks on and two weeks off, two thousand a week or I walk
Looking forward to having everything paid for next year and it’s retirement for me!!!
Keep the rubber on the road and god bless!
Steve says
Most famous dispatcher reply: “It’s only an inch on the map” !!!
Happy says
I agree…..the problem is that you cant get 10 drivers to stand together so no one takes us seriously company’s just set back and laugh …they know nothing will ever come from any thing drivers say . For the most part they are spineless and your not wheeling to stand together then you get what you deserve. Also when it happens in one company drivers set back and say it will never happen here (e logs) ever one set back and just left big companies and the government do what they wanted
… YOU HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER OR FALL APART…..
Allen Donaldson says
Every time a truck stops, for P/U, Del, or a 10 hour break, they should be paid an hourly wage.
com.bil says
Here is some truths for you guys. Forklift drivers and warehouse workers, BOTH have their own UNION. Think about that, the next time you want to yell about your pay and benefits !
John Cornwell says
Experience seems to be overrated in the Trucking industry. For those drivers who have put years behind the wheel, they seem to be growling because it seems to be another way that the government is cutting their pay. First by demanding regulated hours checked electronically (done for safety reasons because drivers were exhausted and behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have been), and now newer drivers who do the exact same thing as “experienced” people day in and out that companies have taken advantage of for years because of the low pay offered upon entry.Drivers are simply moving a vehicle from point A to point B and backing up into a shipping area to drop or pick up a load….that’s it. There are plenty of other jobs out there that require much more from you everyday and still pay well below what drivers (green and seasoned) make. And yes that means their smallest paycheck.
Before anyone laughs at this comment and says I don’t know what I’m talking about or that I must be a desk jockey somewhere……let me make it clear…..yes, I am a driver.
Robert says
16 hour day? Really who wrote this article. Legally it’s 14 hours and a 10 hour break not 8 in the sleeper. Desk jockey need to actually interview a truck driver before writing an article and making yourself look stupid
Thomas says
Thank you for commenting on that I was fixing to ask what know nothing about trucking wrote this. But they sure think they do.
Allen Smith says
The author does Know what he’s talking about. Not too many drivers know about Title 29 Part 785
Not only that, but the carriers aren’t telling them, if they even know themselves. https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/wh1312.pdf
James(Jdub) Walker says
Only is required in the sleeper tho, the others for meals and so forth.
Dic says
I believe PAM is owned by Billionaire Matty Maroon…money is no object He also owns the Ambassador Bridge.
Skittles says
Congrats, you get to make more money, I have no idea what carrier’s pay at the entry level, but, you are cutting your own throat, let’s say it works out to a 5% pay increase, wait till you start having to pay 8% or more for everything you purchase.
LorieJo says
Judge Brooks wrote a strongly worded memorandum saying that “there is no ambiguity,” and that time spent in a truck while not eating or sleeping – even if that time isn’t logged as “on-duty” – must be counted towards hours worked.
I would like to know what a driver is doing in a truck that is truck related and not logged On Duty. Waiting for a load (until released) is On Duty time. Watching TV is not.
the judge’s decision essentially means that a driver could be entitled to minimum wage for 16 hours per workday. Only the 8 hour’s rest when the company does not expect the driver to be working shouldn’t count as hours worked.
16/8? It’s a 14 hour workday and 10 hours of rest.
When a company driver is waiting for his/her next load might change if paid a flat rate to sit.
Drivers without a load can be released from duty at any time and the hourly rate issue would disappear.
DJ says
The only problem with your argument is that yes a truck driver might be watching TV in the bunk but he isn’t allowed to leave until he is loaded it unloaded that’s why the driver gets paid while sitting in the dock. I don’t know about you but if a job forces me to stay ina certain place, they’re going to pay me to be there
Bryan Johnson says
I don’t know if this is that great of a move. People say truckers should be paid hourly, but when that happens, there is a cap. If this hourly thing becomes the norm, then that means cpm is going to decrease. You folks better learn the mond frame of trucking companies. They will figure out a way to keep wages the same as they are now. The industry is going more regional, so the runs are shorter on average than normal. It’s already hard enough to get 2500 miles these days, and if companies are doling out 800 some odd dollars for hourly pay, all I can see is miles getting cut
Dave says
Do not know why you are having problem getting 2500 miles a week, unless you spend all your time sleeping.
I never have a problem getting well over that.
My son also gets well over that as do most other “line” drivers I know.
Maybe you should quit driving for PAM, Swift or England and get a real driving job.
MrYowler says
If they seriously want to pay people to sit in a truck and do nothing, I’m sure they will find some takers. Practical reality is that they will want some value in return for the wages, so they’re a lot more likely to keep an hourly driver rolling. I’m hourly, and it’s rare that I don’t pick up preloaded trailers. The carrier doesn’t want to pay me to sit idle.
Annee says
One of the best things about this job is I can make as much money as I want IF I bust my butt. It’s all up to me. Hourly wage means I’ll definitely run hard but won’t make more. With hourly wage comes labor OT laws but companies have proven they will hire more people to ensure NOT paying OT. I choose the freedom to run as hard as I want.
Linda says
Don’t miss the point here! Driver pay is finally being recognise and continued battles such as this will eventually be a good thing for driver pay. This sets of precedence in cases enough will make legislators pay closer attention to driver treatment. When I started out pay at the bottom for almost 10 years then I started speaking up. Had enough experience to be a keeper. Companies know these things and pay what they know they can get away with based on industry hiring trends. When I quit I finally was asked to stay getting a raise worthy but discriminated against based on sex and experience. I had 18 years getting paid less than a male with 2 years. I spoke up got the raise then quit. Basically told them I knew I wasn’t paid the same for the same work. These types of cases going to court will help define these types of actions companies currently practice.
randy says
The pay by the mile should never have been started and should be illegal for everyone, it’s should be by the time you have to spend to finish the work.The dock lumpers figure their time is worth $100.00 per hour,but that $150,000 truck and trailer with a driver on the clock is worth $50.00 if you can get it after three hours of sitting for free.
George says
Dock lumpers= mafia extortion!
Robert says
Haha… Be careful what you all are wishing for… Everyone wants that 1k dollar paycheck but doesnt want to put in the work or sacrifice to get it. They see someone with 20+ yrs exp and think they,should be paid as much as you.. We Will be working our way out of a job soon enough. I could never go back to being paid mileage there just isnt enough money in it. But company vs. Owner op my expenses are higher but I dont have to compete with this,mentality and thats worth a while lot to me
Tom says
For $7.25 an hour…. i rather go work in a warehouse driving a forklift than to be driving a tractor/trailer. Trucking companies should be at least paying $20 an hour minimum!! Anything under that is not worth it. Go for the cpm instead!!
Jeff says
It just means cpm will go down a bunch.
Bob says
Federal minimum wage working your full 70 hrs even with overtime is still only 620 a week. Even the most green drivers deserve a minimum can’t see that changing my pay on the balance sheet.
Buck says
Experienced drivers should get paid just as much or less because when they are with a company for a long time they get lazy and do less than the new people
MrYowler says
“Everyone should make less than me.”
Not:
“I should make more.”
It really doesn’t matter what everyone else makes, and you need to stop worrying about it. Driver pay is not a competition, and even if it were; everyone doing better, together, is better than everyone but you doing worse.
In football, what you just said is the functional equivalent of telling everyone else on the field that you hope they all blow out a knee, so that you can be the star.
It is way easier to tear everyone else down, than to lift yourself up – but everyone loses, when you do. You included.
T~rex says
What you trolling for a battle
Robert E Rosser says
This is typical, any truck driver holding a A class license who does not have a take home (net pay) of over $75,000. annually is underpaid in 2016 truck drivers ranked as the 7th most dangerous job in America, the Police rank 12th. Most people work 40 hours or less, most truck drivers work greater than 55 hours weekly some the full 70 hour 8 day cycle, and then paperwork necessary to get the job done before getting paid. We eat lousy food sleep in dangerous places (cities where cops could give a damn about your safety, but at the same time cry like babies about theirs). We deal with idiot drivers who do everything from pulling out in front of you to break checking in their road rage in front of you. And most people look down on truck drivers and treat us with disrespect ( not all of us, and in fact very few of us, are as foolish or ignorant as the general public). So this little article is nothing more than a scam by the trucking industry to make you think that your being looked out for by thetruckersreport.com which is nothing more than a recruiting agency for trucking companies. Sorry boys, but I’ve not always have been a driver. I worked in media and understand and recognize propaganda when I see it.
jim says
Wow – can’t believe that these are comments by TRUCKERS when it was the TEAMSTERS that in many places gave their blood to get a living wage. Sure, the teamsters went on to become one of the most corrupt unions in the country but that was the fault of those that voted their leaders in. Being older than dirt, I remember a friend of Dad’s back when there was a major push to discredit Jimmy Hoffa – when asked about what he felt about Hoffa stealing union funds, he said, “Well, I have a farm that is paid for, a house that is paid for, my kids through collage and my truck paid for. If Hoffa wants to steal a little that’s OK with me.” If one tracks the decline of the union membership in this country and the decline of the working man’s wages since the 1950’s they track right on top of each other. On average, truckers wages have not only not kept track since the ’50’s but have gone down. Why? It’s the political machine that started decades ago a campaign to discredit unions and the average trucker coming to the mind set of, “I don’t want no union telling me what to do.” No, they would rather have CEO’s of companies telling them what to do – and making far, far less than what they would be with a union. You made this bed, so take to it and shut up until you are ready to stand up for your rights.
MrYowler says
Few truckers in the industry, today, were involved in any wsy in the decline of unions, much less the Teamsters. The overwhelming majority entered the country or came of age to work, long after people their grandparents age saw the effective death of the unions.
Today, unions serve as corporate shills, taking money from members in exchange for denying then the right to negotiate individually, when the unions fail to represent empliyee interests as they were intended to do.
Being old does not give you the right to blame the young for things that happened before their time. It also does not make you an authority on who should be allowed to have a voice, or what they should be required to tolerate.
People from YOUR generation made this bed, for the rest of us to lie in. Remember that, when some near-minimum-wage non-union medical grad student is angrily wiping your bum, in the retirement home.
Michael says
Experienced drivers are more efficient and can get more done in a given amount of time and therefore should be paid accordingly.
But overall truck drivers are underpaid. Not long ago I drove for Schneider at .34 per mile. Could have made more working at Walmart as a door greeter! Rule of thumb is the bigger the company the less the pay as they have more overhead to cover as well as the millions of dollars they pay their CEO. I became on O/O thinking I could make more money…ha what a joke that brilliant idea turned out to be!
Tim Hardin says
I drive a car carrier. I get paid by the mile and of course stop pay and vehicle pay too. It’s not bad at all. I do see the trouble with having an hourly wage for driving a truck. I think hourly wages are ONE of MANY reasons why people turn to driving for a living. It is difficult in the normal workforce to attain one’s self worth at an hourly wage. But driving offers the mindset of one being compensated for their abilities, not time worth. That very mindset allows people to stand tall and recognize their self-worth in life. And that is very important to ALL persons. Even dispatchers. The REAL goal is getting all people to see the real VALUE in OTHER people.
The desire for MONEY has replaced our desire of OTHERS WELL-BEING.
MrYowler says
The need for money has overwhelmed the need for feelings of any kind. No matter how much you have, it never seems to be enough. There’s always someone else with their hand out, and others less willing to help out. Make too much, and your kids can’t get financial aid in college… so you have to pay the difference – and you better hope you make enough to do so. Make too little, and you have to go begging to keep them fed and living indoors.
We’re not thinking about our self-worth or well-being, because those have become luxuries that we can no longer afford. What might really help my well-being, would be more time off to pursue the interests that I hoped to pay for with my labor. But my labor barely covers my needs, and leaves no time to pursue my interests, even if I had the financial resources to do so.
My opinion of my own value is meaningless, if I cannot translate that value into something meaningfully useful, and to do that, I have to convince others to recognize my value, in monetary terms. Pats on the back don’t buy groceries or pay the rent, especially if I have to give them to myself…
John Lackland says
…”companies which pay reasonable wages to their drivers have no reason for concern”
Had to laugh at that.
Michelle says
What this means is that drivers who drive 1500 miles a week and drivers who run 3000 miles a week will get the same hourly wage for 16 hrs a day. No point in working harder for a better life. Congrats to the drivers who want to get paid for playing video games. 😫
Brian says
If you accept minimum wage as a truck driver, considering the risks and sacrifices, then you are little more than a driving who’re. And at pretty much any big company you will be. PAM and CR England are just two of many. They count on drivers ignorance, or outright stupidity. And they find them.
MrYowler says
They train it into desperate people, and call them drivers. There no shortage of desperate people…
Codger Haney says
Back 37 years ago I was getting $0.07 a mile and the number one seat got $0.08 a mile they wanted a thousand miles a day and usually when someone talks about a truck strike someone’s always cheating it would only take one kind of truck to go on strike Nationwide and that would be the tankers because without diesel all trucks couldn’t run nor could cars drive to their jobs. Then it would truly be a nationwide strike but the oil companies won’t let that happen it’s sad though times are changing and don’t seem to be getting better for company drivers with new rules and regulations even a logs which I believe started back years ago with Warner Trucking saying they had paperless logs, oh joy we should all thank them anyway have a good day.
Trucker Mike says
This will have a trickle up effect, even to us who own our trucks and run under our own authority. Rates will be forced to go up. The company is NOT going to eat the resulting extra costs…they have shareholders, a board of directors and company owners they must report to. Those folks aren’t going to take a pay-cut!
Secondly, you are inside the truck or waiting on a loading dock, you should be getting paid for it.
For those poor bastards who don’t get paid like this yet will disagree, let me ask you this…just because you are taking your mandatory 10 hr break, does that stop your dispatcher from picking up the phone and calling you?
My guess is, the answer is “No”.
You are also a “night watchman” for the truck…my guess is, if someone started to mess with it, your boss wouldn’t accept “I was off duty” as the answer why you didn’t try to stop them or call the authorities.
There you go!
LANCE D. WRIGHT says
6 PLUS YEARS EXPERIENCE (NEWISH) NEVER IMAGINED WORKING (14) HOURS A DAY. THIS NEEDS / FEDERAL RESULTS & ACTION TAKEN ON BACK CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT s . WE MOVE THE WORLD !
Jude says
That would be one way of getting paid to pre-trip, post-trip, fuel, scale/adjust, sit on a brokedown truck, waiting to load/unload and the rest of what we do on a daily basis for free now.
jim bryan says
were is my backpay? when I worked for PAM I was required to drive to lorado in a team situation leaving on sunday and getting there late Monday and having to sit till our load was SCHEDULED to arrive sometime on wensday? that was only 6 years ago too
Phillip Nickerson says
A class action lawsuit against a Motor Carrier is actually better for the company and the country, versus a nationwide shut down.
Dan the Man says
I wouldn’t do the job even for the wages they’re requesting. You’re all shooting too low.
Nathan Wagner says
I just left pam for this, they are unfair, they lie, they don’t reimburse when they say they will,they leave u sitting at truck stops for 4 days at a time, don’t trust them.stay away from pam
Rlb says
Like one driver said we knew you’re in the sleeper with a load you should get paid I feel that $50 a night while in the sleeper berth should be sufficient that’s not bad so All companies should pay the driver $50 a day just to sleep in the truck to protect her truck and trailer and freight thank you
James Pittman says
I disagree with the “higher pay for higher experience” argument. I’m more a fan of the “higher pay for longevity” argument. Here’s why:
Let’s take dry van just for the example. It tends to be the easiest and most represented field in trucking.
1. A 3 year driver can generally accomplish the same task as a 13 or 23 year driver. There are of course exceptions, such as individual aptitude and special circumstances like snow chains, but overall you don’t gain all that much by having more years doing the same job. Don’t believe me? I’ve seen it in person. As a former dispatcher, I had a 20 year trucker who had 3 at fault accidents in a row and had to be fired. All three were backing or cornering related. I’ve also had several 2-3 year experienced drivers go 5 years without a single accident, at fault or not. I’ve had a 30 year driver flip a truck after leaving the road while texting.
2. Efficiency is an old argument, but the days are coming when it will no longer have any bearing. Most new trucks being built and put into service now are automatics, so the old “I can shift well enough to hit the ‘sweet spot’” claim will no longer be relevant soon. Many newer trucks have ECMs programmed for reduced power (not just speed governing) so no matter how hard you mash the gas, the truck isn’t going to accelerate any faster.
3. “I know how to work a log book.” Irrelevant. E logs will now prevent this.
4. “I can read a map and plan a route better than a rookie with a GPS.” Also irrelevant. Many large carriers are using onboard navigation with mandatory planned routing.
5. “I’ve got 20 years experience.” Yes…and you’ve changed jobs almost every year. I’ve seen this many times too. When you have almost as many (or more lol) past employers as you have years on the road, YOU are probably the problem.
I could go on with countless more reasons, but I think these cover the big ones.
I’d like to pay people for proven performance on the job. A safety award you got 10 years ago doesn’t tell me anything. Show me you can handle the job of taking care of my equipment and my customers’ needs and I’ll show you the money. I’ve also been a dry van, reefer, flat bed, and heavy haul driver, so I know what I expect from employees.
Before it’s mentioned, “student drivers” are a special circumstance. No…I don’t think they deserve as much as the seasoned hands, but I also don’t think it’s necessary to give somebody top pay when they walk in the door.
Change my mind.
Lee E Tibbetts says
After 30 some years in this industry, my opinion is that the fairest way to pay drivers would be a combination of cpm and hourly. Driving time at cpm with a minimum average. For example .40cpm x 50mph =$20ph minimum. On duty time would be at an hourly rate. With the ELD this should not be hard to calculate.
Currently, even with the ELD, drivers minimize the time actually spent working on duty in order to save time for driving. I think this forces drivers to constantly be racing the clock in order to receive a decent wage.
Will the pay system change? Most likely, not! At least not any time soon. It may actually get worse.
I tried 20 years ago to rally drivers around Hang’n TUFF (Truckers United for Financial Fairness). The problem is no one seems to agree on a basic course of action, so nothing changes. The industry is so fractured today that it is even less likely to come together.
pete says
The only ones profiting from this lawsuit are the lawyers. The lawyers will walk away with millions while the drivers will be lucky to clear $100 each.
Barf Green says
If my company goes to a paid 16 hour day at minimum wage, I am done.
I do not want to be paid the same as some of the lazy drivers who can’t keep the left door shut. I am efficient, plan my routes almost to the minute and don’t even drink coffee because it makes for too many breaks to fetch coffee and then release coffee.
Most of our drivers take 7.5 days to run our route, and I routinely do it in 6.5 days. I would be punished under this BS hourly push.
Paid per mile, we all make the same. I just get an extra day at home for not punking around or going to sleep at 8pm.
Scott says
So should sales people, construction workers and anyone else who travels for work get paid the whole time they are away from home? Where does it stop?
David Hendrickson says
Just give me 25% of the load.
Like haulin cattle to the slaughter house.
Gee when the load is 98,000 pound it’s a nice payday.
25% of say 45,000 pounds works out to $1125 for the load.
4 loads a week and and you pushing $45,000.
I am a firm believer in a percent of the load.
Steve says
I drove (single) for Clay Hyder (Auburndale, Fla.) back in the late 70’s & we made 20% of Gross (reefer/swingin’ meat) & $15 for any dead-head over 300 miles !! The only problem was,… we never knew what a load paid !!! Go figure… At the end of my driving career, I had worked my way up to a Teamsters Union job with Consolidated Freightways as a OTR Line-Haul “Transport Operator” (1993-2002) making .50 cpm, $17.50 per-hour on-the-clock, plus, 15 minutes pay for each pin (hook/unhook). If ya broke down somewhere, you went right on-the-clock. At 50 cents-per-mile, 60 mph = $30.00 per-hour !! A 378 mile “Turn” plus “pins” & time on the yard, paid me $223.00 per-night in 2002. Six (6) runs per-week in 2002, grossed me $1338.00 per-week for 54 hours of work. Union companies don’t hire drivers right out of “drivers school” – Ya need an “impeccable” driving record with YEARS of experience. If you can get a “Union Job”, you’ve paid your dues & you’ll reap the benefits. Have a safe one.
phantom 310 says
Huhuhuhu that’s sad!leave your family, work 7 16s for less than minimum wage. Its not sad,its desperate.actually they should make 1072.64 per week if they work 7,16 hour days. Everything over 40 is time and a half.so an entry level McDonalds burger flipper makes more per hour than truck drivers?huhuhuhu.thought wages were increasing. Must have something to do with supply and demand,you know, with the driver shortage demand goes up so wages go down? Huhuhuhu.now I’m really confused!
Chris says
They are saying 60 hours a week which is similar to ag work overtime is not paid until after 60
Chris says
Also the $7.25 is base off the local minimum wage as to where the lawsuit was filed if it had been in California it would be $15 hr.
susan mckee says
i drove for Pam. I was paid by the load 125 a load but I was on that load for more than 14 hrs.. some days i had to sit in the truck from 6 am to as long as noon for them to put me on a load but was required to be there at 6 am sitting and ready. I wasnt allowed to start my clock until i was dispatched , run to prescott arkansas and meet another driver sometimes had to wait on driver just depending on traffic and then return home . Due to the traffic and major construction everyday i was pushing my 14 hrs work and 11 drive time by 30 mins to make it back not to mention the hours i sat waiting for free for them to give me a load. I said something to them then about it… fell on def ears.. i did it for a year because once i swap jobs i dont want to change again and look like a job hopper so i toughed it out.. but i would never do it again.. and yes I am very happy to hear about this law suit and i was sent a card to get paid for the time i work.. I am very greatful this is being checked into..
Gwiz says
Susan what was the attorney’s name that sent you the card? I worked there for 2 years.
Richard says
So is this lawsuit going to payout to drivers during this time because I was a victim.
David Browne says
Guys, I am the Browne in the PAM lawsuit. I’ve read through the comments here. I won’t take any particular side in these arguments. I will just say that there is a wrong here that I feel needs to be corrected. How the issue plays out is an unknown at this time. I worked for Pam for ten years. Of that time a large amount of the time spent was simply waiting, guarding the companies equipment and being responsible for load et al. I don’t have to explain the unfairness of this situation, I’d just like to see a remedy. If you’re reading this the chances are you are sitting in your bunk not being paid for the time. The settlement conference is scheduled for tomorrow, Dec. 17th 2019 Best Regards to All, D.T.Browne
Eddie says
Pam is horrible. Went to C1 school to learn to drive and work for Pam. It was okay the first few month. One payday, mine and my team drivers pay, didn’t hit our banks. We called and they said ” we didn’t recieve and paperwork” we had the trasnflo receipts saying they did recieve them.
This happened the following week and the week after. Our cellphones and other bills were due. We decided to quit bc we were running out of food and didn’t want to be stranded with our houses falling behind on bills.
They ended up paying us $300 several months later. However the C1 schooling cost, which pam agreed to pay if we worked for them for a year, is 7 grand went to my credit and I’ve been fighting them since, bc I feel like we were forced out of contact.
Thom Smith says
Truckers have a union, it’s called the Teamsters, but was so corrupt for so long and would prevent independent drivers from earning a living that it’s irrelevant.