Odd Lots This Is The Legal Mess Now Facing the Trucking Industry
Oct 28, 2022
Rachel Premack, editorial director at FreightWaves and author of the MODES newsletter, discusses the evolving legal landscape of the trucking industry. She highlights how truck drivers, the original gig workers, are navigating complex regulations, especially in California. The conversation covers the distinction between owner-operators and leased operators, underscoring implications for employment and costs. Premack also addresses the industry's unique labor dynamics, challenges from rising costs, and the need for regulatory safeguards to support truck drivers.
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Trucking: The Original Gig
- Gig work has existed long before platforms like Uber/Lyft.
- The term "gig economy" is a newer label applied to existing independent contractor arrangements.
Owner-Operators in Trucking
- A substantial portion of truck drivers are owner-operators, fitting the gig economy model.
- This group influences trucking culture; many drivers aspire to become owner-operators.
Ease of Entry into Trucking
- Starting a trucking company is relatively easy, requiring insurance, authority, funding, and a CDL.
- This ease of entry reflects the "American dream" aspect of the industry.