D.C. demonstrators get face-to-face with FMCSA administrator

Some of the Truckers Movement for Justice members who were present at the Monday, May 1, demonstration at U.S. DOT headquarters brought signs to illustrate the issues they were there to fight for, including pay for all hours worked, overtime pay, and brokered freight transparency.Billy Randel

The Truckers Movement for Justice demonstration in front of U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters on Monday, May 1, didn’t draw the crowd of operators that some expected, but the event was still a success in the minds of organizers and participants.

The group’s goal was to bring more attention to driver pay, overtime pay, and brokered-freight transparency. TMJ has also expressed concerns over predatory leasing contracts in previous interactions with DOT.

TMJ organizer Billy Randel estimated about 75 drivers were at the demonstration at one point or another, with some coming and going throughout the morning. “It wasn’t the turnout we would have liked," he said. "We would have liked to have a few hundred. But this, combined with all of our older members and new people who will continue to come in, this is our base.” 

The group still got the attention of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and was met by FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson, FMCSA Deputy Administrator Earl Adams Jr., and FMCSA Director of External Affairs Kala Wright.

FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson met with members of the Truckers Movement for Justice at Monday's demonstration to hear concerns.William McKelvieHutcheson, Randel said, told the group that FMCSA is working on the issues they were demonstrating about, including an ongoing driver compensation study.

In a statement to Overdrive, FMCSA said it takes the concerns of truck drivers “very seriously.” The agency said Hutcheson met with TMJ members Monday “to listen to their concerns and highlight efforts actively underway by FMCSA to enhance the lives of drivers.”