After years of asking for an increase in broker transparency, truckers’ opportunity for change has arrived. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association wants to make sure that truck drivers seize the moment.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration published a proposal in November that would strengthen broker transparency regulations. Comments are being accepted through Jan. 21, 2025.
OOIDA has emphasized that the time is now for truck drivers to let their voice be heard to ensure that decision-makers know that change is needed.
“I know you’re getting sick and tired of brokers having all the cards in their hands and you having none,” OOIDA Executive Vice President Lewie Pugh said in a recent video. “Well, finally, after four years of OOIDA chewing on them, FMCSA has come out with their broker transparency rule. Now is your chance to go to FightingForTruckers.com and file your comments to FMCSA.”
🚨Save the date for January 8th!🚨
OOIDA will be hosting a fireside chat to talk about FMCSA’s proposed rule making on Broker Transparency. 📣🔥
Bring your questions, we have the answers. 💪
JOIN US! 📲#OOIDA #truckingcommunity #semitruck #truckdriver #truckingindustry… pic.twitter.com/oJLvDPVR2g
— Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (@OOIDA) December 19, 2024
Federal regulation 371.3 already requires brokers to maintain transaction records. However, brokers have often been able to evade this regulation either through lack of enforcement or by requiring motor carriers to sign a waiver. OOIDA petitioned FMCSA in 2020 to stop the loophole and to strengthen existing regulations.
FMCSA’s broker proposal would:
- Require brokers to keep their records in an electronic format
- Require brokers to provide an electronic copy of records within 48 hours after a carrier makes a request
- Require that records contain information about charges and payments connected to the shipment, including a description, amount and dates, as well as any claims connected to the shipment
- Affirm that brokers have a regulatory obligation to provide transaction records
As of Thursday, Dec. 19, more than 1,400 comments had been submitted to the docket. OOIDA would like to see that number grow drastically over the next month.
“We have until Jan. 21, so get on there and tell them how this affects you,” Pugh said. “Tell them how brokers are making you exempt your rights from 371.3, or not showing you or threatening to blacklist you. Give real-world experiences, and if nothing else, just say, ‘I support the broker transparency rule.’”
FMCSA will accept comments on the broker transparency proposal through Jan. 21, 2025. Those who would like to do so can click here or go to Regulations.gov and enter Docket No. FMCSA-2023-0257-0001.
OOIDA also has made it easy for truckers to file comments through its website.
In addition, OOIDA is planning a “fireside chat” to discuss the broker transparency issue with truckers on Jan. 8. Details about how to participate will be released soon. LL
Credit: Source link
