Even as significant a role that drivers play in our economy, working conditions, compensation and benefits (or a lack thereof) don’t quite reflect the position’s importance. “The median annual pay for big-rig drivers in 2021, per BLS, was $48,310 or about $23 an hour,” according to CNBC. “Many of them work 60-70 hours a week, though a good deal of that time is spent waiting for goods to be loaded or unloaded, and they’re only paid for driving time. Many aren’t compensated for overtime, don’t have health care benefits, are paying their own fuel costs and spend days or weeks away from home.”

By 2030, the industry shortage is forecast to double to 160,000 as competition from e-commerce, retirements and difficulty attracting new workers and female drivers are challenges that have yet to be successfully addressed. Retaining drivers is another significant obstacle, with annual turnover rates that averaged 94% between 1995 and 2017 according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

In December 2021, in an attempt to combat supply chain disruptions and inflation, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Labor announced the Biden-Harris Trucking Action plan, an initiative aimed at federally funding an apprenticeship program for truck drivers that involves more than 100 employers and industry partners. “Making sure truck drivers are paid and treated fairly is the right thing to do,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “It will help with both recruiting new drivers and keeping experienced drivers on the job.”

Carrier solutions play an important part in improving working conditions

A part of addressing the truck driving shortages – and what the Biden-Harris Trucking Action plan is attempting – is for carrier partners and networks to also address the challenges within the profession and to offer opportunities for drivers to become more efficient and grow their businesses. And that’s been a priority of ours since the company began in 2016. “We want to be advocates for the Davids in a Goliath industry,” said Dynamic Logistix Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner Jason Yeager. “It’s a core part of our values and we address and treat our carriers the same way we treat our clients, always leading with respect.”

Being a witness to my dad growing up and seeing the setbacks he encountered and how he was treated instilled a passion to improve the industry and make a positive impact on our relationship with our carriers. Thankfully, Dynamic Logistix has provided that opportunity. Our technology platform offers advanced transportation management solutions which means our drivers can focus on what they do best – covering miles safely, supporting America’s supply chain and economy, and proudly earning a living. I often think about how this kind of technology would have affected my father’s career back then and his life on the road. I can’t say for sure what the impact would have been because it was a different time back then, but what I do know is how proud he was of my commitment and participation in making things better for the next generation of drivers.

While this week officially recognizes driver appreciation, it shouldn’t stop here. We’ve made a pledge to be a champion of change and we’ll never stop working toward better solutions for our drivers. We’ve always been here, and we will continue to be here long after the next delivery arrives at your door.