2.5 million US truckers say they'll quit over vaccine mandate

[Hydrogen]

Millions of truckers are balking at President Joe Biden’s workplace vaccine mandate, which would be catastrophic for the nation’s supply chain problem if it is enforced, an American Trucking Associations executive told House members this week.

“We’ve tried to be very clear to the administration — I understand the logic behind it — but if you do this, these are the consequences,” said ATA President Chris Spear. “So if you’re trying to solve the supply chain problem, you’re actually compounding it and actually hurting the very problem you’re trying to fix.”

ATA is the nation’s largest trucking trade group. Spear testified in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on supply chain problems.

America is currently short approximately 80,000 truckers compared to pre-pandemic levels. If Biden’s Jan. 4 vaccine deadline is enforced, the industry will lose 37% of its truckers, or 2.5 million people, according to an ATA survey.

The survey “came back as 37% of drivers not only said 'no,' but 'hell no,'” Spear testified. “It’s not about being anti-vax — we’ve been moving the vaccine test kits.”

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a California Republican, told the Washington Examiner that the supply chain is a disaster because both Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom are more focused on climate change and vaccinating children. The Los Angeles ports, the busiest in the Western Hemisphere, are backed up with 106 supply ships waiting to unload off the coast, according to the latest figures.

“Newsom has been pretty inattentive on all this … and the Biden administration is not really helping either,” LaMalfa said. “Truckers are independent individuals. They are like the cowboys of the highways and don’t want to be pushed around.”

Spear also testified that fining shippers for full containers that linger too long at ports is a bad idea because the cost just gets passed down to consumers. Los Angeles and Long Beach ports implemented such fines last month as a way to clear the backlog.

“It’s just another layer we’re going to have to bear. I don’t think it’s a good solution,” Spear said. “It’s just one choke point of many.” He added that the problem is simply too many containers stacked up at the ports and not enough time to clear them.

Republican Rep. Rick Crawford asked, “So assessing fines and fees associated with that is probably just going to be exacerbating the problem with inflation?”

“I don’t think it does anything, congressman. I really don’t,” Spear responded.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/2-5-million-truckers-say-theyll-quit-over-vaccine-mandate-industry-warns-biden

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Not certain what the implications of this would be. If there are implications.

I suppose it hinges upon whether truckers in 2021 are considered skilled or unskilled labor. Would a 2.5 million chunk of the workforce quitting create a vacuum which could easily be filled. The term independent contractors used to describe the trucking industry. Is often used to describe employment conditions that do not fit the label. Mixed martial artists in the UFC and pro wrestlers in WWE are both considered independent contractors. With a great deal of controversy surrounding the terminology and whether it is apt.

The only thing for certain is, Elon Musk is working somewhere to build trucks with no steering wheels that are robot driven.

Perhaps 2.5 million departing truckers will give Elon the vacuum he needs to push his robot truck drivers. That could rank in the top 5 of the most predictable things happening atm. As crazy as it may sound.

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[Gyfts]

This sums up US Covid policy really well, in fact.

A trucker, sitting alone in his/her truck for the majority of the day, would need to be vaccinated to protect who from catching Covid, exactly? The truck? The argument for a vaccine mandate was that an unvaxxed person could transmit Covid to someone that is also not vaccinated, but this begs the question as to how a truck driver is going to infect someone when they're sitting by themselves in a truck for most of the day.

Anyways, the implications of this are more supply chain issues and low economic growth. Shipping and logistics are the base of the manufacturing industries of any country, so removing transportation out of the equation ensures everything grinds to a halt.

They say inflation was due to the supply chain issue, and not a high money supply. Well, what happens to inflation when you stop truckers from doing their jobs if the result is scarcity of goods? More inflation.

[adaseb]

Yeah in Canada I read that there was like 120,000 truckers and 20% are not vaccinated. And by the deadline most likely the percentage will be closer to 10-15% or so. And these are not the local truckers but the ones that go thru the USA and back. The supply shortages right now are already bad for certain products and if 15-20% of truckers can't cross borders then its going to make it even worse.

Like the above posters have said, they are usually alone in their truck, might have a partner with them who is always with them anyways. You already can't go to many events when you are unvaxxed and most truckers they sleep in their cabs. So perhaps maybe at some restaurant they might be in contact with some people but there are most likely already other unvaxxed people there also. So I don't really see the point of all this.

Inflation will keep going up transitory due to supply shortages.

[cabron]

You would really see how the prices of products are going into the supermarket today and how much the turkey cost because of the supply chain disruption. This disruption was first noticed in cargo shipping which ships are just docked in the middle of the sea. 

But adding this vaccine mandate is really making the supply chain worse. Can't say this is part of Elon Elon Musk's driverless trucks transition but it will make millions out of jobs.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

Not certain what the implications of this would be. If there are implications.

You better believe there would be serious implications if all those truckers suddenly walked off the job.  Before this supply chain problem cropped up, I don't think many of us ever gave much thought to how important that supply chain really is--if any of us thought of it at all.  Truckers are an extremely important component of that chain, and they wouldn't be able to be replaced immediately.  Even if there was a week's delay in replacing all of them, I think we'd be in for some serious shit.

Would a 2.5 million chunk of the workforce quitting create a vacuum which could easily be filled.

Highly doubtful unless the government suddenly relaxed the regulations on what it takes to drive an 18-wheeler across the country.  There are schools for truck drivers, did you know that?  And there's a special license truck drivers have to get in order to do their job, and in addition to that if replacement truck drivers had never done that job before, that lack of experience is going to show up as a bunch of mistakes and delays being made, and probably a lot of road fatalities too.

Even though I think the consequences of a walk-off would be dire, I admire those guys for standing up for themselves.  It seems like there aren't enough people doing that these days with respect to all of these COVID mandates.  And by the way, LET'S GO, BRANDON!!!

[Lucius]

I believe that there would be serious consequences if as many as 2.5 million drivers suddenly stopped doing their job in the US, no one should doubt that. Let’s just look at what happened in the UK with a shortage of drivers when petrol stations ran out of fuel and store shelves were empty. These people are essential to the functioning of society, until one day they are replaced by robots that will work non-stop and be immune to SARS viruses.

This sums up US Covid policy really well, in fact.

A trucker, sitting alone in his/her truck for the majority of the day, would need to be vaccinated to protect who from catching Covid, exactly? The truck? The argument for a vaccine mandate was that an unvaxxed person could transmit Covid to someone that is also not vaccinated, but this begs the question as to how a truck driver is going to infect someone when they're sitting by themselves in a truck for most of the day.

It's not just US policy, most countries in the world introduce such measures, regardless of the workplace and environment, you have to get vaccinated to be safe for yourself and others, although examples of countries with more than 85% of vaccinated people show that the virus spreads almost so at the same rate in such a population. The example of the Netherlands, where over 72% of the population has been fully vaccinated (84.7% over the age of 18), is a clear example of how the vaccine protects against virus transmission, as in just one day the number of positive cases was 23 680. Of course, they blamed the children for everything, because they are not mostly vaccinated and transmit the virus.

[fiulpro]

An interesting fact:
Them quitting their jobs would not only impact them as a whole but it would impact everyone else as well since most US based trucking loading/offloading companies do work overseas as well and they have their centers around all the parts of the world which does mean that if these truckers decided to quit their jobs then it would impact a huge diverse group of people as well.

There would be sudden shortage of truckers and that would put many things at halt which can cause many problems for individual enterprises as well working with those truckers. I do think that the government should try and somehow enlist the rule for vaccination more gently to the public. It's important for sure!! But making people comfortable as well should be their priority so as to avoid sudden probelms like this.

[Silberman]

An interesting fact:
Them quitting their jobs would not only impact them as a whole but it would impact everyone else as well since most US based trucking loading/offloading companies do work overseas as well and they have their centers around all the parts of the world which does mean that if these truckers decided to quit their jobs then it would impact a huge diverse group of people as well.

There would be sudden shortage of truckers and that would put many things at halt which can cause many problems for individual enterprises as well working with those truckers. I do think that the government should try and somehow enlist the rule for vaccination more gently to the public. It's important for sure!! But making people comfortable as well should be their priority so as to avoid sudden probelms like this.

Correct, and we do not really need for 2.5 million truck drivers to quit to create huge issues, the US is having problems with a shortage of 80k drivers, that is only 3.2% of the drivers that are threatening to stop working if Biden forced them to be vaccinated, so while it is unrealistic to expect that 2.5 million truck drivers stop working at the same time, I think it is realistic for 3.2% to stop doing it, doubling the current problems of the supply chain.

[Anonylz]

My question is why are the truckers refusing to get vaccinated! They will rather quit their job than get the vaccine, is it that there are any noticeable effects after taking the vaccine or what are their reasons! There must be a reason for the not to want it, between quiting their job will not necessarily solve any problem rather they will increase the number of unemployed people in the country,
It is better they state their reason(s) make it clear so that a solution can be made.

[so98nn]

Though Elons example was little slick here I think it’s serious that it will eat our jobs of 2.5 million workers. I think this is very very sad thing to happen because imagine 2.5 million families getting fed on that job, their dreams, their education and what not. This will cause series of chain reaction and making it difficult for the supply chain as well. We do not know the application of auto trucks yet and we always need human touch for any job to do it perfectly. Tuckers are the important part of logistic industry and they should never be replaced or vacated on any terms tbh. Dam, this is such bad news just because they are against the vaccines.

Yes I get it, vaccines are the needful in the current worst times but they need to be educated and then must be shown with right direction.

[Sterbens]

So we're just going to see 2.5 million truck drivers turning their jobs over to unmanned transport cars? that way there will be a cost reduction that the factory does. But there will also be a lot of impact that they have given to drivers to no longer work because of the strike they think that Vaccines must comply with government regulations. Meanwhile, outside we have witnessed the non-stop government vaccine program which costs a lot of money but the economic growth is not really being realized. Moreover, the US is doing it all to reduce spending dollars.

2.5 million drivers is not a small number, so the government should at least think not to mention those who have got a driving license, just their factories with goods shelters that let drivers get a delivery permit without delaying the delivery time. Totally ineffective with robot trucker offers.

[TheGreatPython]

I don’t really get how some people likes to reason things at times; someone commenting that a truck driver can’t give any other person Covid-19 because they spend most of their day alone in their truck? You’re forgetting that sometimes that they will have to eat, which means at some point they will visit a restaurant or so, and they will also get home to their family and all that.

So, it’s very much possible that they can come in contact with a victim and also transfer it to others. But, anyways, I think the government should also try to do things in a way that it would be easy and not favor them, but the people as well, making sure that things are on the balance.

[STT]

Supply constriction leads to inflation, it can be as simple as a lack of truckers.    They could try and fill the gap with army drivers for brief periods of time.   Ironic effects or the law of unintended consequences is a classic sign of big government and how it can squash free trade in a country.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unintended_consequences

[Gyfts]

...

Definitely. Austria has introduced new lockdowns for the unvaccinated, which essentially states they are removed from society if they do not take the jab.  No where in the requirements does it factor in natural immunity from previous infection, or does it factor low risk individuals that are less likely to catch and spread the disease. Australia has created "camps" for Covid infected people, and will arrest you if you have Covid and leave your dwelling. The US is characterized by hyper capitalism, so it seems uncanny for them to risk their economy for what is a mild flu for the vast majority of people. But when people are emotional, they're prepared to sacrifice their liberties in the name of safety.

[CaVO32]

I don’t really get how some people likes to reason things at times; someone commenting that a truck driver can’t give any other person Covid-19 because they spend most of their day alone in their truck? You’re forgetting that sometimes that they will have to eat, which means at some point they will visit a restaurant or so, and they will also get home to their family and all that.

So, it’s very much possible that they can come in contact with a victim and also transfer it to others. But, anyways, I think the government should also try to do things in a way that it would be easy and not favor them, but the people as well, making sure that things are on the balance.

In this world of pandemic, we will experience soon that everywhere we go, they will ask for our vaccinated cards. Just like in Singapore, they are only allowing fully vaccinated individuals to dine in but there are still some restrictions.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dining-groups-five-vaccinated-same-household-restaurants-hawker-centres-2298466

So if you want to feel safe and not be discriminated, I believe, we need to follow the government mandate. But if you can stay at home forever, why not? But who can? This is why if you are a traveler, expect that everywhere you go, they will ask your covid vaccination card. We can't avoid this requirement as we move forward from this pandemic.

[Wexnident]

I suppose it hinges upon whether truckers in 2021 are considered skilled or unskilled labor. Would a 2.5 million chunk of the workforce quitting create a vacuum which could easily be filled. The term independent contractors used to describe the trucking industry. Is often used to describe employment conditions that do not fit the label. Mixed martial artists in the UFC and pro wrestlers in WWE are both considered independent contractors. With a great deal of controversy surrounding the terminology and whether it is apt.

I'm not sure what exactly would happen in the long term, since as you said, it's a matter of whether it's possible to quickly fill up that vacuum of the workforce. It does present a problem in the short term as stated in the article though since it would fill a gap towards that process that was already set in stone. Not to mention that the workforce to be filled is required to be vaccinated, and I don't suppose they're just going to get some random vaccinated dude that could drive as their worker. That is unless Elon releases his unmanned truckers.

[Sithara007]

Correct, and we do not really need for 2.5 million truck drivers to quit to create huge issues, the US is having problems with a shortage of 80k drivers, that is only 3.2% of the drivers that are threatening to stop working if Biden forced them to be vaccinated, so while it is unrealistic to expect that 2.5 million truck drivers stop working at the same time, I think it is realistic for 3.2% to stop doing it, doubling the current problems of the supply chain.

And in the end, the real numbers will be much lower than this 3.2%. The prospect of job loss will force many of these truckers to get vaccinated. I really don't understand the hesitation from some circles. The vaccines are in use for more than a year, and till now there have been no reports of serious side effects on healthy people. On the other hand, in the US alone close to 800,000 deaths have resulted from COVID. I fully support the government's decision to make vaccination mandatory. We had enough deaths.

[Lucius]

Definitely. Austria has introduced new lockdowns for the unvaccinated, which essentially states they are removed from society if they do not take the jab.
~snip~
But when people are emotional, they're prepared to sacrifice their liberties in the name of safety.

Unfortunately, my country is copying all the measures taken by Austria, so I expect that this will happen soon in my country as well. My Prime Minister and the Minister of Health openly call unvaccinated people imbeciles, cowards, and even bio-terrorists - and have banned entry into all state and public institutions without a covid passport or a negative test. Meanwhile, people who have been vaccinated and lost their immunity a long time ago are walking everywhere and do not have to be tested - and the WHO and many others are expressing concern about this false security that has been created through covid passports.

Here’s an example of how someone who doesn’t have a mask on public transportation in my country ends up - YT Link or or how they treat a teacher who tried to enter her workplace without a covid passport - YT Link.

They first try to convince people in a nice way, then threaten them that they will lose their jobs, and finally use the police as a repressive force. These truck drivers in the US may be brave, but the system they oppose is cruel and will have no mercy - but it is good to see that people do not agree to be forced into something they do not want.

[kryptqnick]

LaMalfa says that the Biden administration is not helping, but you know who else is not helping? It's precisely guys like LaMalfa that keep emphasizing that vaccination is a personal choice, that nobody can make people vaccinate if they don't want to, instead of actually sharing the science of how vaccines drastically change your odds of surviving covid and encouraging people to consider vaccinating. They're talking about trucks, but in my country the anti-vaccination moods are so high that while there are already some jobs with mandatory vaccinations, doctor is not one of them because apparently many small towns will be left without crucial doctors if it's made mandatory. Nothing is more unsettling than doctors who don't want to get vaccinated. As for the US, I'm sure they'll figure out what to do. They might take a risk and see if it becomes a supply chain problem. They can override the mandate if it becomes the case.

[Obito]

Well, if they were to quit we will see a big reduction in supply and most of the malls will be on short supply because they're going to be relying on those truck drivers, the only problem is that these people are opposing the mandate even though there's no downside to it besides the fact that they think that vaccines are a bad thing.