The IRS announced a voluntary classification settlement program that would provide partial protection for businesses who agree to prospectively treat workers formerly treated as independent contractors as employees.

The trucking industry has had a long tradition of contracting with owner operators, who lease a truck and a driver, to an authorized carrier under the leasing regulations, 49 C.F.R. 376. For over 60 years the industry has treated owner operators as independent contractors, not employees. Political forces are at work to change the status quo ante. The Obama administration and many state agencies are making serious efforts to reclassify independent contractors as “employees.” The President and his labor backed colleagues introduced a bill when he was a senator that would make it easier to reclassify independent contractors.... Read More

It's more difficult to operate in today's transportation environment than ever before.

Ok, not earth shattering news but you've already read all the “doom & gloom” and most likely have experienced significant changes to your business over the past few years. When examining impending changes to the current transportation landscape, most of us would start by acknowledging the 10,000 pound gorilla in the middle of the room - CSA (2010).... Read More

Instead of just controlling costs, owner-operators should be focusing on “waste control.” The things you need to run a trucking business, such as fuel and equipment, often get used inefficiently. The resulting waste hits where it hurts the most—in the pocketbook. Remember, every dollar saved goes directly into your pocket.... Read More

Today is the day, she thought as she finished wiping the counters at the small town diner. She was just finishing her shift and just had enough time to pick up the kids from school. She felt pretty good as she drove through the blowing leaves on that beautiful fall day. It was amazing how much she had accomplished in the past three weeks. She had canned all the vegetables from the garden, cleaned the house, and taught Jimmy how to mow the yard. He was a hard worker. Last night, she went to a parent/teacher conference and the news was mostly good. I still have to work with Jimmy on his math she thought as she pulled up the drive to the school. That'll be a challenge, because on a day like this he'll want to be outside after being cooped up in school all day. Well, it's the weekend and there'll be time for that later.... Read More

Pay To Stay - Will This Become The Norm?

This weekend, Ed and I were in Bordentown, New Jersey. There are only two truck stops there; a Pilot with very limited parking, and a Petro with 490 parking spaces. You can park at the Pilot for free but if you want a space at the Petro, you either have to pay $12.00 a day to park,buy $25.00 worth of fuel, or rack up the same amount in the c-store; every day you're there. The Pilot was the obvious choice for us because we didn't need fuel and weren't planning on doing any shopping in the convenience store. Plus, I have a thing for Pilot.... Read More