AMERICAN FALLS, Idaho (July 5, 1999 ) — Truck fleets and shippers are bracing for a loosely organized trucker’s strike in the United States scheduled to begin today at noon Central time.

Two brothers, Roy and Randy Powell of American Falls, Idaho, have been working since late last year to drum up support for the shutdown. They are demanding the removal of split speed limits in all states, the removal of lane restrictions in all states, and equal fines for traffic violations for all vehicles.

The brothers have primarily used the Internet to publicize their group, Truckers Against Discrimination, along with flyers in truckstops, and have sent letters to state governors informing them of their demands.

“Stop discrimination against truckers, or truckers will stop America,” reads their rallying cry on their Web site, www.18wheels.com.

Although the Powells emphasize the need for a peaceful strike, apparently there has been some talk on the CB of violence against those not striking. Some drivers are even staying home this week, not in support of the strike, but in fear it may turn ugly. The threats of violence have made others more determined than ever not to support the effort.

Michael Gamber of Charlotte, N.C., is an owner-operator with a truck leased to refrigerated and flatbed specialist Prime Inc. of Springfield, Mo. When he and his wife told their dispatcher they were heading home for the July 4 holiday and taking July 5 off, she was insistent that they keep rolling.

“As the date gets closer, more fleet managers are finding out their drivers are planning on parking or taking off, so they’re getting a shortage of drivers,” Gamber says.

However, the Powells have found it difficult to organize widespread support for the strike. One informal survey at a Maryland truckstop found that more than half of drivers hadn’t heard of any strike, and even of those who had, many didn’t know what the strike was for or who was organizing it. Some questioned whether the issues the Powells have raised are worth striking for, and suggest better reasons to strike would be rates, hours of service regulations, and forced lumping.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the largest organization of drivers in North America with more than 40,000 members, opposes the strike. While the group believes these causes are important, it feels that lobbying efforts are a more effective way to get changes made.

After the strike, the organizers say they plan to draft a charter for the Truckers Against Discrimination organization and make it “a voice for truck drivers nationwide.”