4 Trucking Associations That Support Drivers

Drivers have massive responsibilities. They deliver goods and cargo from place to place so the economy can function as efficiently and agilely as possible. But talented, knowledgeable drivers need support or professional networking from time to time. That’s where trucking associations come in.

Read on for more information about trucking associations, the benefits of joining one, and a few examples of trucking associations you might want to join soon.

What Is a Trucking Association?

Put simply, a trucking association is an organization – typically but not always a nonprofit – that works to represent truckers or trucking companies or that provides supportive resources for those in the shipping and transportation industry.

For example, the ATA or American Trucking Association (arguably the most important trucking association to join) provides numerous support resources for truck drivers, including educational resources, job opportunities, connections with legal representatives when necessary, and much more.

Truck drivers join trucking organizations to gain access to these resources and join other employees for collective bargaining purposes. For instance, truck drivers can strike if they’re all a part of the same organization to demand higher wages or better industry safety.

Motor carriers/trucking businesses of all types can benefit from non-profit organizations offering membership benefits to shippers.

What Are the Benefits of Being in a Trucking Association?

There are many benefits to being in a trucking association, whether you are an?independent carrier ?or work for a larger shipping company.

Firstly, being in a trucking association gives you access to a wealth of professional resources you can use to improve your career. Training materials, educational pamphlets, and access to industry insights through monthly newsletters and magazines are just the tip of the iceberg.

When you’re in a trucking association, you join a collective network of fellow truckers. This collective network can be very important if you require legal assistance or wish to participate in strikes or other collective bargaining pushes. In some cases, you won’t be able to join strikes or collective bargaining events without being a part of the organizations that start them.

Furthermore, joining a trucking organization can provide you with legal support and defense if you need it. Many trucking organizations have connections to knowledgeable lawyers and other legal representatives who serve as important contacts for their members.

Trucking associations are even more important for underrepresented minority groups, such as women (who only make up a fraction of the shipping industry’s workforce, even with the?truck driver shortage ). For example, women can join the Women in Trucking Association to access women-specific support and resources, including potential job opportunities.

When you're in a trucking association, you can elevate or improve your career in more ways than one. There are usually member dues or annual fees you have to pay. Still, these are ultimately minor, considering the many benefits and advantages you get from joining these organizations in the first place.

Which Trucking Associations Support Drivers?

You can join many different trucking associations, but four are especially important given their benefits and applicability to specific truck driver demographics.

American Trucking Associations

The?American Trucking Association ?or ATA is one of the oldest and most important trucking associations overall. It was created when the Highway Freight Association and Federated Trucking Associations of America joined in 1993.

This association worked with the US Army in World War II and helped to enlist 5,700 truck drivers to work in the US Army Transportation Corps. Since then, the ATA has led many interstate commerce initiatives and fights hard to ensure fair compensation and treatment for American truckers. It has three primary policy platforms:

• Safety.?The ATA works hard to ensure driver safety is prioritized, so it also works in conjunction with federal groups like the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
• Sustainability. The ATA researches and enacts environmental policies to boost fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions
• Industry security. The ATA represents drivers and industry leaders to ensure that their importance in the American economy is never underestimated or misunderstood

National Association of Small Trucking Companies

The?National Association of Small Trucking Companies ?was established in 1989 and brought multiple companies together for lobbying and collective bargaining activities. It represents over 10,000 trucking outfits, so it's an ideal organization to join if you operate your own carrier business or are part of a small trucking company.

The ultimate mission of the NASTC is to level the playing field for all member companies, giving every small trucking company a shot at profitability and industry success.

Women in Trucking

Women in Trucking or WIT is a nonprofit founded by the current president and CEO, Ellen Voie. It was founded in 2007 and advocates for improved female inclusion in the trucking industry, working to promote employment opportunities for underrepresented women.

The most important?benefits of joining Women in Trucking ?include:

• Gaining additional insights into women’s issues in the freight industry
• Educational resources
• Access to management and driver promotion opportunities for women
• Professional development resources and training seminar access
• Additional access to entry-level trucker positions for newcomers to the industry

Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association began in 1973 and now has over 160,000 members and works hard to give professional truckers a voice, particularly in collective bargaining activities. The OOIDA represents individual truck drivers instead of their employers, making it one of the most important organizations to join if you work for a larger carrier company.

The goals of the OOIDA include pushing for equitable work environments and improving highway and on-the-job safety for drivers at all levels, including the international level.

In addition to the above associations, you should look into state trucking associations, such as groups in New York, Tennessee, or Arkansas. These deal with local or state-level issues, so they may have information or resources that apply to specific struggles or situations in your local transportation industry.

If possible, research each trucking trade association to see their policies regarding advocacy, fleet safety, and the board of directors. Researching the details of different organizations will help you pick the right associations to join.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there are plenty of beneficial trucking associations you might want to join. Whether you join one association or several, you’ll benefit from their resources, insider expertise, and support services.

RPM can also help elevate your career to the next level.?Contact us today ?to discover how working for us can be the best career decision you’ve ever made.

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Sources:

• About ATA | American Trucking Associations
• About Us | NASTC | The National Association of Small Trucking Companies
• Women in Trucking Member Benefits | Women in Trucking