Could self-policing spell the end of Driver Inc.?
In November, I was the guest speaker at the Windsor Transportation Club’s annual Highway Carrier Night. My topic?: The future of the Canadian trucking industry: Combating Driver Inc.
I was excited to present something I’ve been working on for some time — a way for the trucking industry to repair its battered public safety image and slow down Driver Inc.
I could tell from the Q&A session that my message went over like a fart in church!
Event organizers love audience engagement, but unless I plant questions, most presentations end with polite applause and a turn toward the pastry table.
This time, folks lined up like parents at a school board meeting. The discussion was lively, to say the least. Here’s what pissed off these industry professionals. You can decide for yourself if I’m on the right track about Driver Inc.
Something has to give
Everyone agrees the status quo is not an option. As time goes on, Driver Inc. will only put more carriers out of business and our highways will continue to feel like a friggin’ demolition derby.
These safety concerns were echoed in a fall press release from our industry’s most important voices (too many to name). Their message left no doubt that “standards of safety and compliance are eroding rapidly.”
Who will save the day?
Good luck waiting for the taxman to put on a superhero cape and take down Driver Inc. Government is not coming to the rescue.
Others suggest unions are the magic bullet to save gig drivers from a form of modern-day slavery. Giving “independent” drivers the leverage to strike will never fly, but I do find it intriguing that the Teamsters recently shared the podium with the Quebec Trucking Association at a Driver Inc. press conference. Stay tuned on that one!
Self-policing works
That’s why a form of self-policing might be our best option.
We’re not reinventing the wheel here. Other industries have established standards for training, safety, and ethical practices despite the growing gig economy.
Aviation, energy, and health care are prime examples. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never heard of Pilot Inc. or Nurse Inc.
Being accountable for our industry’s ills will improve our battered brand while encouraging collaboration on a framework of safety, growth, and public trust. Who better to take care of our problems than us?
Pain points
Admittedly, self-policing has flaws. By far, the biggest challenge is enforcement, which many think is the root of the problem in the first place. The bad actors will never agree to industry standards and self-regulation unless it’s rammed down their throats.
That’s why I think the Red Seal designation can be part of the solution.
Red Seal sets common standards for tradespeople across Canada. It indicates that a person meets training and knowledge standards established by their industry.
It’s the ultimate Driver Inc. trump card. It can ensure gig drivers receive the training they need and level the playing field on competition.
Red Seal is only part of the solution. Self-policing requires a collaboration among government (providing oversight), industry (setting standards), and Red Seal (validation and enforcement).
There’s no financial downside for compliant carriers. They already spend a fortune training drivers.
But industry standards would help break the fragile Driver Inc. business model. There is zero chance the battered balance sheets at Driver Inc. operations could bear the burden of committing to the training long game.
The survivors would have drivers who know how to drive and prices you can actually compete against.
And the roads would be safer for everyone.
Thanks to the fine people of Windsor for all their passion. It means they care. It also means that I am on to something.
Go, Lions, go!
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.
Self Policing Will Never Work, Unfortunately. The Collaboration of the OTA, DOT AND CRA Is A
Must! The Rift Raft Must Not Have Any Input
In Solving This Dilemma, No Voice, Period. The Recovery Of Our Proud Industry Is A Must To It’s
Status Of The Past, Proud Truckers Like Myself Of
Near Forty Years in The Road. It Has Really Hurt Us Knight Of The Highways. Our Economy Depends On This Intervention.
The reality is that some carrier customers don’t care…they will hire the lowest price to move their freight as they do not see this Driver Inc. situation as a problem. Most are not even aware of such an organization.
Self-Policing will never work as it would require Ethics. In the Trucking world it is okay to not pay taxes, it is okay to cheat your employees, and it is okay to drive trucks that are unsafe, all so you can cut prices and win bids. For shippers it is okay to accept the lowest bid knowing that the selected carrier is not playing by the rules. Corporations and the executives say their decisions are Ethical but they are just trying to make money. Professionals like Accountants and Lawyers say they have a Code of Ethics, and they say they do not work for people that steal from employees and the government but obviously they are the ones creating these fake companies under Driver Inc.
In your next news article, please remind Lawyers and Accountants about their Code of Ethics.
For example, Accountants are required when preparing financial statements to note any significant business risks. Why isn’t “Misclassification of employees as private contractors” a significant risk for CRA penalties? It is because Accountants and Lawyers have “aided and abetted” in Driver Inc.
It is time for the media to call out these professionals, and tell them to follow their own “Codes on Ethics”
Mike,
I harken back to the days before deregulation where you had the PCV Board
and carriers had to be licensed. It seemed cumbersome at the time applying for a license
to operate and ensure your company was financially viable filing rates and so on, but it worked.
Today we have a free for all with out any oversight, in my opinion. I have heard of many sales
people when they call on a new prospect the first words out of their mouthes are” How much
are you paying?” and the next comment is” We will do it for less” How can legitimate law abiding
carriers compete with these types of companies with this type of competition?
The OEM’s are just as guilty, flogging their trucks to gain market share, while substantially lowering
the barriers to entry. And with the lack of legitimate driver training schools, the current crop run by
ethnic communities enticing new immigrants to participate by providing them with jobs that create
borderline indentured slaves as drivers via Diver Inc. It is no wonder our industry is in trouble.
Add to that the huge bankruptcy of the Johals and Bam they are back in business again.
Maybe the regulated industry was not so bad after all…………..
Great article and premise. I agree Red Seal is needed for the industry whether it fixes Driver Inc or not. Better trained Drivers on the road are critical. For our families for our businesses for our industry.
I always respect what you and I think you are 90% correct on what you said
But noway are the largest customers of transportation services going allow the standards that we need to make the roads safer
When pushed for 3 years ago for things like paid sick days I was called a socialist and ra–t and many things much worse
I find it very interesting the same companies that are often fighting behind the scenes to keep standards low and driver inc lease ops as a major way to get around certain requirements
Want gov money to go into training and other money to go to industry and let the taxpayers pay for sick and injured people that worked in the transportation industry.i hope we can get the change needed but unless it is given power like the doctor ass or the milk marketing board good luck making it happen