It's National Truck Driver Appreciation Week — a moment to reflect on the driver labor market and whether transportation companies are meeting the needs of their drivers.
Truck drivers are key to successful supply chains. In North America's current infrastructure, truckers form an integral part of the transportation of goods. Economic growth is often paralleled by a shortage of drivers, and companies have increased driver wages to attract employees. However, this strategy inspires drivers to change jobs for better pay, creating high turnover rates.
An investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics concluded there is no shortage — rather, the trucking industry functions like any other labor market. The real problem is retention. Steve Viscelli of the University of Pennsylvania notes that millions of people trained as heavy-duty truck drivers are currently not working in that capacity because entry-level positions offer poor conditions.
Successful companies are looking beyond pay to solve their retention problem. Driver concerns extend beyond compensation to equipment quality. Drivers are often paid by the mile, not the hour — if their equipment is consistently in need of repair, it limits their ability to earn what they were promised. Company benefits, respect, communication, and excellent repair time are proven strategies for keeping drivers.
