Truckers' fight for fair overtime hours

A new final rule expands overtime protection to millions of workers, but excludes truckers

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a new final rule that expands overtime protection to millions of workers but excludes truckers. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is pushing for legislative change to eliminate the old overtime exemption for truckers.

The new rule, published on April 23, raises the salary threshold to $43,888 on July 1 and $58,656 on January 1, 2025. This increase will affect approximately 4 million workers, as companies will be required to either meet the salary threshold or pay employees for overtime hours exceeding 40 hours per week. However, truckers are left out of this protection, sparking controversy and debate about equity in labor compensation.

Equity for all: proposals for overtime compensation change

The proposal for change comes after the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division reviewed over 33,000 comments. Julie Su, Acting Secretary of Labor, states that the rule aims to ensure that workers receive fair compensation for their extra time, emphasizing the importance of raising standards to improve workers’ economic situation.

OOIDA has advocated amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to include truckers in overtime protection. They argue that the current exemption denies them adequate compensation and contributes to inefficiencies in the supply chain, as truckers work long hours without fair pay for their extra time.

Although the new Department of Labor rule does not address the situation of truckers, OOIDA has worked on drafting the Fair Overtime Guarantee for Truckers Act, introduced in both the House and the Senate. This legislation seeks to end the overtime exemption for truckers, ensuring fair treatment and adequate compensation for road transport workers.

Representative Jeff Van Drew, who introduced the bill in the House, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the hard work of truckers and ensuring them fair compensation. His bipartisan project highlights the need for equity in compensation and respect for those who keep the country’s economy moving through their tireless work.