Foreign Workers Program

Foreign Workers Program

Is there an intentional movement building towards the initiating of a foreign workers program within the United States trucking industry?  With three major initiatives in the process :  CSA 2010, the FMCSA sleep apnea testing and the work in progress for opening the Mexican border, could this be seen as an attack on the American truck driver?  Each one of these three plans have underlying affects that can damage the career of truckers in the United States, yet open the door for creating a pool of cheap labor for the trucking companies.

As studies confirm that the number of  truck drivers with sleep apnea of all stages,  stands around 10% and not the 30% that is being reported . . . as CSA 2010 rolls out in full force which could very likely have a big impact on many drivers across the country . . . and the push toward opening the U. S. border to Mexican trucks, there are so many avenues within these ideas that seem to point at a phasing out of many American drivers.

Several people I have spoken with lately have shown concern of this very nature.  I was recently speaking with the VP of Safety with a large trucking firm and was told, “American trucking companies have to do whatever they can to survive.” Is this the beginning of a foreign workers program?  How could this come about when there are laws protecting the American people from such an act?   Before an employer in the U. S. can hire a foreign worker, they must first apply for a Foreign Labor Certification.   However, before they can receive the certification, they must first show that there are insufficient qualified U. S. workers available and willing to perform the work at the present wage.  This is to ensure that admitting foreign workers will not affect job opportunities, wages and working conditions for the American people.   Isn’t it reasonable to assume that opening the Mexican border would have a big affect on job opportunities, wages and working conditions for American truck drivers?   There could be such financial turmoil that the only means of survival is to bring down the higher wages commanded by our truckers, and allow a program that would create a body of cheap labor for the largest sector of private industry in the world.

It would be impossible to drain the U. S. of every American driver, but the area that would be the hardest hit would be the long haul trucking sector.  Many truck drivers are not earning a livable wage right now and many more trucking companies are struggling to hold on.   There are about 750,000 trucking companies in the United States and most of these are in the smaller category.  Is there a monopoly building?  Squeeze out as many American drivers that they can, bring in lower paid drivers and only have several mega-size trucking companies controlling the freight industry . . . is that even possible?

CSA 2010, sleep apnea testing and opening the border of Mexico is being touted as new safety measures and to come into compliance with NAFTA.   Is it really about the phasing out of higher wage earning American truck drivers?  There is underground talk that this is exactly what is taking place.

Would the United States . . . your country . . . do this to the American trucker?

© 2010, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.


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The most recent Dan Rather Reports, a second in a series, filmed on location in Carl’s Corner, Texas at Willie Nelson’s truck stop, Willie’s Place – brought a large number of truckers together who had the opportunity to mingle and discuss problems within the trucking industry.  Owner Operators specifically, were sharing their concerns about the future of their livelihood.

Concerns such as opening the Mexican Border . . . the Cap and Trade issue . . . new EPA stipulations such as the SCR or EGR and its direct costs to the owner operators who for many, can barely keep their heads above water right now.

It was a good thing to see so many drivers discussing these important issues within the industry as long as it does not turn out to be just “more talk” as many of them shared with me was one of their concerns.

Jimmy Watson – Driver/Trainer for KLLM

Driver-Trainer Jimmy Watson of KLLM Transport

Donna and I enjoyed spending time with one of the many drivers who attended, Jimmy Watson, a veteran driver and trainer with KLLM Transport

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.


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NAFTA Could Cost Drivers Two Million More Jobs

Opening Mexico’s border under the NAFTA agreement could cost professional truck drivers in the U. S. as many as two million jobs.  With an estimated four million active U. S. truck drivers, that would equal cutting half of the work force.  With an industry that already uses new student and CDL drivers for cheap labor to haul the cheap freight, should the Mexican border be opened completely would be devastating to the United States truckers’ vocation.

Listen to Truth About Trucking “LIVE” talk radio show which recently discussed this important issue:

© 2009, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.


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What Every CDL Student Should Know

In today’s economy, many people are looking at professional truck driving as a possible career.  Their first stop?  CDL truck driver training school.  Before heading to the nearest CDL school,  CDL students need to know certain, important facts before making the move to OTR trucking.

From your MVR records to filling out the truck driving job applications to choosing the right truck driving school . . . the trucking job market has changed considerably in today’s economy.

Truth About Trucking “LIVE”Blog Talk Radio’s premier trucking talk show, discussed these facts this evening plus much more.  If you’re considering a career in over the road trucking, be sure to listen to what was appropriately titled:  What Every CDL Student Needs to Know.

This one show could save you thousands of dollars.

Our upcoming shows:

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 7 PM EST – Truckers Convoy Aims to Rescue California Farmers From EPA Drought – Water restrictions that were imposed by our Federal Government in order to protect a little fish called the Delta Smelt, is putting California farmers out of business.  The situation is so bad, that a convoy of 18-wheelers are being put together in order to bring trailer loads of food to the farmers and those within the area facing the high loss of jobs and income.  Join Allen for this SPECIAL broadcast detailing how EPA regulations have made a tiny fish more important than our American farmers, and how truckers are working to bring relief to those in need.  Special guests:  JB and Fred Shaffner of The American Driver.

Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 3 PM EST :  American Trucking and Opening the Mexican Border.   Opening Mexico’s border and allowing their trucks to run through our 48 states could prove disastrous for the American driver.  Most companies and organizations write that they are against this plan, but are they really?  Or is this a plan that has been secretly building in the background for years?  With a combined driving experience of 65 years, Allen and co-host Barry Szczucki takes a look at what opening the Mexican border could do to the American trucker.  Special guest:  Daniel Audet of The Truck Star.

Come join the conversation!

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