Bulk Transporter News Analysis
The New Jersey General Assembly and State Senate have recently forwarded an “employee misclassification” bill to Governor Chris Christie for his potential signature . This state legislation would hurt every aspect of trucking, including the tank truck sector, and it seems clearly designed to destroy the US owner-operator truck driver.
The bill aims to reclassify drayage operators and parcel delivery operators as employees, not independent contractors. Not surprising, the bill was supported by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and passed on strict party lines. This legislation poses a threat to all truckers who utilize the entrepreneurial owner-operator model and it is strongly opposed by the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, the American Trucking Associations, and even OOIDA.
"Governor Chris Christie has yet to publicly address his position on this bill, so I urge all NTTC (National Tank Truck Carriers) members – particularly those that are based (or have opereations) in New Jersey – to reach out to Gov Christie ASAP to strongly encourage him to veto this wrong-headed bill," says Dan Furth, NTTC president. "Link below has talking points prepared by NJMTA that may be helpful to you as you craft your message. http://nttc.informz.net/nttc/data/images/vetos1450(2).pdf
Address emails and letters to:
Honorable Chris Christie
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
State House
Trenton, NJ 08625
Fax: (609) 292-3454 for