Letters: Government Regulations Needed to Protect Workers | Opinions and Editorials

Daniel Gollnick of Melrose, Wisconsin, drives for a company that takes him home every night. He used to drive a flatbed truck across the country, but his girlfriend didn’t like the fact that he was traveling so often. Age: 28 Annual income: $45,000 Have you gotten a raise lately? “We got a $1 raise this year. Most drivers were making $17.50 an hour. Now we’re making $18.50. That barely covers inflation or anything. I see ads for big bonuses for drivers, but it’s a complete joke. I worked for a couple of big trucking companies: Roehl Transport and Melton Truck Lines. Both offered signing bonuses, but they didn’t tell you what the $1,000 was based on. Sometimes you have to have certifications to handle hazardous materials, or be qualified to drive on military bases or ports. And you have to meet fuel economy requirements, but they tend to give you the oldest trucks, which are the least likely to get a signing bonus because they burn more fuel.” Would you recommend this job? “Yes. I tell my friends who work minimum wage or in a factory to get their CDL (commercial driver’s license, which takes a few weeks). It’s the easiest money you can get without a college degree, but it’s a tough industry. You’ll be on your own a lot.” Is the industry in crisis? “There aren’t enough truck drivers. I’m driving and doing extra routes because we’re short on workers. But I’ve noticed that I’m not actually picking up more physical loads. I’m just picking up loads at more locations.”