OOIDA Applauds Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Reverse 1938 Law Denying Truckers Overtime Pay

WASHINGTON , DC… The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has announced its strong support for the bipartisan Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act (GOT Truckers Act), legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), and U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) to ensure truckers receive overtime pay just like nearly every other segment of the American workforce.

"America’s truckers are the backbone of our economy, keeping goods moving and ensuring our supply chain stays strong," said Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association President Todd Spencer. "Yet, despite their essential role, trucking remains one of the few professions in America denied guaranteed overtime pay. It’s long past time the hard work of the men and women behind the wheel are fairly compensated. By discounting a trucker’s time, ‘big trucking’ has driven wages downward, treating truckers as disposable rather than the skilled professionals they are. We appreciate Representative Van Drew, Representative Takano, Senator Padilla, and Senator Markey for championing the bipartisan GOT Truckers Act, which will right this wrong by securing overtime pay. This legislation is an investment in truckers, road safety, and the strength of America’s supply chain."

 “Truck drivers keep our supply chain moving, often working long, exhausting hours to make sure goods get where they need to go,” said Congressman Van Drew. “But right now, they are not guaranteed overtime pay like most other workers. It is just not right. The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is a simple fix—it ensures that truckers are fairly compensated for the extra hours they put in. These men and women do critical work, and it’s time we make sure their pay reflects that.”

“Truckers are vital for our supply chain, manufacturing, and the American way of life,” said Congressman Mark Takano.“It is unfair that they are singled out as somehow unworthy of overtime pay. This legislation will help right that wrong and make sure they are fairly compensated for the hours they work. I am proud to partner with Congressman Van Drew and Senator Padilla to build up workers and guarantee more money in their paychecks.”

“America’s truck drivers are on the frontlines of our economy, enduring long hours away from home, and all too often, unpaid wait times at congested ports and warehouses. Unfortunately, truck drivers have been excluded from overtime pay protections for decades,” said Senator Padilla. “If truckers are forced to wait while on the job, they should be paid. This is not just a matter of fairness; it’s a matter of public safety. Experienced truckers are safer truckers, and better compensation and overtime pay will help more of them stay in the profession.”

 Truckers are the backbone of America’s supply chain, frequently working over 70 hours per week keeping grocery shelves stocked and critical medical supplies moving across our nation’s highways. Unbelievably, outdated federal law from 1938 denies truckers guaranteed overtime pay for all these hours they work.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which sets federal policies on minimum wage and other labor protections, currently exempts truckers from its general requirement to pay employees time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. While this exemption was originally designed to prevent truckers from working too many hours, it now actually prevents truckers from being fairly compensated for all the hours they work.

To put truck drivers on the same playing field as nearly every other worker in America, the GOT Truckers Act was introduced to ensure that truckers are finally paid the overtime wages they’ve worked for. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has long advocated for this change and thanks U.S. Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), U.S. Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) for standing up for America’s hard-working professional drivers.

The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is supported by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the Truck Safety Coalition, and the Institute for Safer Trucking.

“The exclusion of truck drivers from federal overtime protections must come to an end,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Teamsters Union is proud to support the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which will right the decades long wrong that serves only to harm drivers to the benefit of their employers.”

“The FLSA Motor Carrier Exemption needlessly puts the lives of truck drivers and all roadway users at grave risk,” said Tami Friedrich, Truck Safety Coalition President. “The notion that it is acceptable for innocent people to die to avoid paying truck drivers for all their time is un-American. I am grateful to my home state Senator, Senator Padilla for taking action to eliminate this lethal loophole. The GOT Truckers Act will undoubtedly save lives and improve roadway safety for all.”