Bill Overview
Title: Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act
Description: This bill requires employers of commercial truck drivers to provide overtime pay to such drivers engaged in a workweek longer than 40 hours.
Sponsors: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9]
Target Audience
Population: Commercial Truck Drivers
Estimated Size: 1800000
- The bill targets commercial truck drivers.
- According to the American Trucking Associations, there are several million truck drivers in the United States alone.
- Truck drivers often work more than 40 hours a week, making overtime regulations significant for their income.
- The global trucking industry has millions of drivers who could potentially be affected if similar regulations were adopted worldwide.
Reasoning
- The budgetary constraints suggest that the policy implementation is designed to address a significant portion of the truckers without covering the entire population due to cost limitations.
- Within the 3.6 million truck driver population, approximately half are targeted, based on the budget constraints provided.
- The policy will significantly benefit those truckers currently underpaid for overtime, particularly as many report working beyond 40 hours regularly.
- However, it is important to note that the policy might have varied impacts depending on specific employers' compliance, the existing state laws, and additional factors like employment contracts or union presence.
- The diversity among truckers, including variations in age, years of experience, and geographical location, influences the range of potential impacts.
- Moreover, while truckers receive clear benefits, indirect impacts on other populations such as logistics firms and costs might occur that are not visible in these interviews.
Simulated Interviews
Commercial Truck Driver (Dallas, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been driving trucks for almost a decade now, and this policy couldn't come sooner.
- Regularly put in over 60 hours a week, so getting paid overtime will improve my life significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have a family to support, and overtime pay will help with expenses.
- It's always been tough balancing work and home due to irregular hours.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I just started in this field, so having overtime would mean a lot financially.
- My friends in the industry are excited about this change too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I drive part-time, so the overtime policy doesn't really affect me.
- I support my colleagues who need this, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Miami, FL)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard being away for long periods, so overtime pay could alleviate some stress financially.
- More hours usually aren't avoidable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Owner-Operator Truck Driver (Nashville, TN)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As an owner-operator, this will add to my operational costs, potentially affecting profits.
- But it's fair for those who drive under me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Houston, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Currently working right at the limit for overtime, which will be a relief.
- Helps my future planning as I'm new to this.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Boston, MA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't work overtime as I'm winding down my career.
- I'm glad for the younger drivers who can benefit.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Commercial Truck Driver (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Overtime pay is crucial for those of us running on unpredictable schedules.
- I want to ensure that it's fairly implemented across all sectors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Commercial Truck Driver (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 53 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The union has been pushing for these benefits, so it's a victory for us.
- Will definitely help in negotiations and overall well-being.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3175200000 (Low: $2850000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 2: $3175200000 (Low: $2850000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 3: $3175200000 (Low: $2850000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 5: $3175200000 (Low: $2850000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 10: $3175200000 (Low: $2850000000, High: $3500000000)
Year 100: $3175200000 (Low: $2850000000, High: $3500000000)
Key Considerations
- The impact on smaller trucking companies versus larger ones could vary, affecting market dynamics.
- Potential adjustments by companies may include passing costs to consumers or reducing staff hours.