US Trucking Jobs Dip Below October 2022 Levels After Revisions and Declines

Behind the WheelDriver Issues
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

📉 US Trucking Jobs Dip Below October 2022 Levels After Revisions and Declines.

The US truck transportation jobs declined in both June and July, marking the first back-to-back monthly drops since the pandemic began. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the sector lost 2,900 seasonally adjusted jobs in July, bringing the total to 1,604,300 jobs, the lowest since September 2022. The decrease in employment is attributed to poor trucking conditions and declining rates, which have squeezed carrier profit margins. Warehouse jobs also continued to decline, while rail jobs saw a slight increase but are still below pre-pandemic levels. Experts predict that trucking employment may continue to fall until rate conditions improve.

Read more from Freight Waves ▶

Featured
Supreme Court Decision Clarifies Status of Delivery Drivers as Transportation Workers
Supreme Court Decision Clarifies Status of Delivery Drivers as Transportation Workers

In a notable Supreme Court ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, it was unanimously decided that truck drivers hauling products like bread are in the transportation sector, not bakery workers.

Debate Over Easing CDL Testing Regulations
Debate Over Easing CDL Testing Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has proposed a rule to simplify the process for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), aiming to address the driver shortage in the trucking industry.

California Judge Upholds AB5 in Landmark Decision
California Judge Upholds AB5 in Landmark Decision

In a significant ruling, a federal judge in California rejected a challenge against the state's independent contractor law, AB5, from the trucking industry.

DRIVE Safe Coalition Applauds Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation Funding Bill Passage
DRIVE Safe Coalition Applauds Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation Funding Bill Passage

The DRIVE Safe Coalition leaders celebrate the passing of the fiscal year 2024 transportation funding bill, which includes a provision advocated by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) to revive the Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program.

Trump-Supporting Truckers Stage NYC Delivery Boycott Amidst Ex-President's Fraud Fine
Trump-Supporting Truckers Stage NYC Delivery Boycott Amidst Ex-President's Fraud Fine

Some Trump-supporting truckers are boycotting deliveries to New York City following the former president's $355 million fraud fine.

California Debates Self-Driving Truck Restrictions Amidst Safety and Job Concerns
California Debates Self-Driving Truck Restrictions Amidst Safety and Job Concerns

California lawmakers, labor unions, and truck drivers are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would ban self-driving trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds from operating on public roads without a human driver on board.

Life on the Road: A Trucker's Journey in Brazil
Life on the Road: A Trucker's Journey in Brazil

A recent visit to Ceagesp Market in Sao Paulo, Brazil, provided a unique cultural experience for an American traveler.

Massachusetts Truck Driver Wins $1 Million Just Days After Announcing Retirement
Massachusetts Truck Driver Wins $1 Million Just Days After Announcing Retirement

Paul Bashaw, a 65-year-old trucker with over 20 years of experience in Massachusetts, is retiring with a $1 million jackpot, won just three days after he gave notice to his boss.

Canadian Trucking Company Ordered to Rehire Truck Driver Fired for Drinking and Driving
Canadian Trucking Company Ordered to Rehire Truck Driver Fired for Drinking and Driving

A female truck driver was fired by Groupe Robert, a Canadian trucking company, after a crash on June 30th, 2022.

Many Drivers Opt to Stay on the Road Due to Enjoyment and Financial Reasons
Many Drivers Opt to Stay on the Road Due to Enjoyment and Financial Reasons

A recent survey by Truckers News and Commercial Carrier Journal found that many truck drivers have no plans to retire.

Old Drive-In Theaters Transformed into Truck Parking Solutions
Old Drive-In Theaters Transformed into Truck Parking Solutions

Frank Sonzala, a veteran in the trucking and transportation industry, is spearheading a business plan to address the pressing issue of the nationwide truck parking shortage.

OOIDA President Debunks Driver Shortage Myth, Highlights Challenges Faced by Truckers in Overcapacity Market
OOIDA President Debunks Driver Shortage Myth, Highlights Challenges Faced by Truckers in Overcapacity Market

OOIDA President Todd Spencer provides insight into the alleged driver shortage in the trucking industry, attributing it to the inability of large fleets to retain drivers rather than a true shortage.

Driver-Facing Cameras and the Concerns of Invasion of Privacy in the Trucking Industry
Driver-Facing Cameras and the Concerns of Invasion of Privacy in the Trucking Industry

In this article, the author strongly opposes driver-facing cameras (DFCs) in trucks, arguing that they are an invasion of privacy.

Contrasting Views on Truck Driver Shortage Prove Controversial
Contrasting Views on Truck Driver Shortage Prove Controversial

In July 2021, the American Trucking Association (ATA) warned of a severe truck driver shortage, while the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and Land Line Magazine disputed this narrative.

Experts in the trucking industry predict that the slow times will persist
Experts in the trucking industry predict that the slow times will persist

Trucking industry experts gathered at SMC3 Connections 2023 conference predict that the freight recession will continue, with a potential relief expected in early 2024.

Survey Reveals Safety Concerns Among Truck Drivers
Survey Reveals Safety Concerns Among Truck Drivers

A recent survey conducted by Cover Whale and The Trucker Media Group shows that truck drivers frequently encounter unsafe driving behaviors on the road.

Navigating Sensitive Topics: Truckers and Mergers & Acquisitions
Navigating Sensitive Topics: Truckers and Mergers & Acquisitions

A journalist in San Antonio reflects on the rare opportunity to befriend and gain insight from industry professionals while organizing a panel program for the Truckload Carriers Association Safety & Security Meeting.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has expressed concern over the collapse of a section of I-95
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has expressed concern over the collapse of a section of I-95

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has pledged to assist in the rapid repair of a section of Interstate 95 (I-95) on the East Coast, following its collapse in Philadelphia.

Eliminating Ineffective Safety Regulations: OOIDA's Spencer Calls for Reform
Eliminating Ineffective Safety Regulations: OOIDA's Spencer Calls for Reform

During a meeting of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), urged the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to assess the effectiveness of existing safety regulations.

Insights from New Survey: Decline in Job Seekers for Truck Driving Positions
Insights from New Survey: Decline in Job Seekers for Truck Driving Positions

A recent survey conducted by the Conversion Interactive Agency and People. Data. Analytics (PDA) sheds light on the current state of the truck driving job market.

A recent study has shown more truck drivers are dying from not using seat belts
A recent study has shown more truck drivers are dying from not using seat belts

The lack of seat belt use among truck drivers is a growing concern for federal regulators, evident from the recent fatality data.

Truck Parking Shortage: A Critical Issue Requiring Action
Truck Parking Shortage: A Critical Issue Requiring Action

Truck parking scarcity remains a major concern in the transportation industry, with insufficient parking spaces available for drivers to comply with mandatory rest breaks.

Anticipated Overcapacity Reduction in Trucking May Lead to Driver Shortage, Warns ACT
Anticipated Overcapacity Reduction in Trucking May Lead to Driver Shortage, Warns ACT

According to ACT, the shedding of excess capacity in the trucking industry may result in a shortage of available drivers, potentially causing a driver shortage late this year or in the near future.

Supreme Court Decision Favors Employers in Case Involving Truck Drivers Who Struck Work
Supreme Court Decision Favors Employers in Case Involving Truck Drivers Who Struck Work

The Supreme Court handed a victory to employers in a labor dispute case on June 1, ruling against unionized truck drivers who walked off the job with their trucks filled with wet concrete.

FMCSA Introduces Truckers-Focused Program to Raise Awareness on Human Trafficking
FMCSA Introduces Truckers-Focused Program to Raise Awareness on Human Trafficking

FMCSA has launched the "Your Roads, Their Freedom" campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking among commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in the United States.

Schools in Georgia and Wyoming to Increase Training for Truck Drivers
Schools in Georgia and Wyoming to Increase Training for Truck Drivers

Georgia and Wyoming colleges are expanding their commercial driver's license (CDL) programs to address the shortage of truck drivers.

Why are Unions Scarce in the Truck Driving Industry?
Why are Unions Scarce in the Truck Driving Industry?

With almost 2 million long-haul truck drivers, unionization rates in the trucking industry are considerably low compared to other sectors in the United States.

Trucker champion spotlighted by Jeopardy gameshow
Trucker champion spotlighted by Jeopardy gameshow

One of Jeopardy's recent champions, Brian Henegar, shed light on the transportation industry, as he works at Pilot Flying J in Tennessee.

Most Americans don’t know the trouble that truckers face trying to find parking spaces
Most Americans don’t know the trouble that truckers face trying to find parking spaces

The issue of truck parking shortages is not widely discussed in the media or public discourse, so many Americans simply may not be aware of it.

Daylight Savings Time can bring out drowsy driving in truckers
Daylight Savings Time can bring out drowsy driving in truckers

Truckers, like many people, can suffer from drowsy driving during daylight savings time due to the shift in time, which can disrupt their sleep schedule and circadian rhythm.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

OPEC+ Sticks to Strategy, Saudi Arabia Extends Unilateral Oil Cut
Next

Climate Change Skepticism Challenges EPA's Ambitious Plan to Cut Auto Emissions