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Thirdly, tell us about “Implementing and Defending the
Independent Contractor Model,” which we all know is coming
under fire in states such as California.
The independent contractor business model is not just under fire at the
state level. The presence of the PRO Act on Capitol Hill represents a threat
equal to, if not greater than, California’s AB5 — and it covers the entire
nation.
These threats are becoming more prevalent in our industry for those
businesses that have employed this particular model. That being said,
our industry must position itself in a manner to successfully operate in
an environment where these challenges exist. By stating the obvious,
this session was one that provided counsel and advice to carriers whose
businesses are supplied by ICs and who want to continue to thrive in a
setting that is facing an uphill battle in the months and years to come.
Turning to other topics: Once again, the exhibit hall
was sold out and was a beehive of activity with 114
industry suppliers participating. What attracts some
of the country’s most highly respected associates to the
convention?
The truckload industry has been developed on the backs of hardworking
business owners since its inception. Knowing that the relationships
built over time with these decision-makers and company owners certainly
provides an opportunity for our associate members to interact, network,
and even introduce to those in our industry the services and products that
they are providing within our industry to help improve the operations of
our members’ trucking companies.
Safety improvements, technology, equipment, and human resource
needs are just some of the areas our vendor partners continue to develop
and showcase so that our members can continue to develop their fleet
operations in a manner that is forward thinking and technologically
advanced.
Much of the success of TCA is the work of its Board
of Directors and its committees, including the Carrier/
Shipper Relations Committee, the Highway Policy
Committee, the Recruitment and Retention Human
Resources Committee, the Regulatory Police Committee,
the Independent Contractor Practices Policy Committee,
the Communications and Image Committee, and the
Membership Committee. All of these committees met in
Las Vegas. What outcomes can you report with respect to
some of those meetings?
I think it goes without saying that our committee work is the backbone
of the association. Membership involvement in our committees is key to
developing proper positions to communicate on Capitol Hill, improving the
image of the professional truck driver, and developing quality programs
that will continue to allow the association and its members to thrive. While
the conversations at the committee level remain relevant to the direction
in which the association travels, the discussions always remain part of the
committee themselves.
Having served as a member of several committees over the course
of my time as a TCA member, I can say that I value these agendas and
opportunities to discuss the industry and effects certain regulations have
on our businesses, and the continued emphasis our association places on
the professional truck driver. I would encourage everyone, if they can only
attend one thing, to make it the committee work our staff and members
continue to undertake.
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TCA NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 WWW.TRUCKLOAD.ORG | TRUCKLOAD AUTHORITY 27