A series of executive orders was recently passed by the Biden Administration regarding vaccine mandates and regulations for all businesses around the country. The recent announcements had a number of industries in shock and rushed into response mode about the new health safety guidelines. The timeline for the complete implementation of the mandate isn’t known and current enforcement is taking its time with the details. Our Michigan breakdown service professionals took a look at what the executive orders mean and how it is affecting truckers.
In their current state, the executive orders are designed to increase the fight against COVID-19 by creating penalties and new rules for increasing employment vaccination requirements. The White House cited that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be in charge of the rollout of these changes that affect private sector companies that employ more than 100 workers to require proof of vaccination or weekly testing for COVID-19. The penalties state how a $14,000 fine will be enforced per employee violation against the organizations that fail to implement these changes.
How Does The Mandate Affect The Trucking Industry?
The trucking and breakdown service in Michigan will be affected heavily by these changes. The trucking industry as a whole has been vocal about its disapproval. According to CCJDigital, 26% of respondents to a survey stated they rather be fried before being vaccinated. This speaks volumes about the overall feeling of the trucking community.
Drivers cited many reasons that cause them to look away from the vaccine including the speed of release, side effects, and other medical reasons. A lot of drivers stated how they felt disregarded by the lack of concern at the beginning of the pandemic being that they were some of the most crucial frontline workers during its peak. Drivers state how the ones at risk in the trucking industry have managed the situation perfectly fine. Between the third-party surveys and opinions voiced on social media, truckers are very upset with the whole situation and just want to restore normalcy.
Prior to the Biden Administration’s executive orders, truckers have been protesting vaccination requirements for anyone in the nation, especially in their industry. Stoppages of delivery of important supplies such as fuel, medicine, and perishables were common with truckers refusing to make trips. Purposeful blockades or deadline misses came about to protest the impending vaccination requirements.
The regulations have a series of financial and operational repercussions for trucking companies. Truckers who have vaccination status will be more sought after by larger trucking companies who will struggle with retention rates falling. Truckers who choose to stay and be tested will cost companies time and energy having drivers off the road during testing. Freight rates will sore due to companies paying out for vaccinated drivers and longer turnarounds, which will trickle down to consumer goods rising in price. The supply chain constraints could be very costly to everyone in the country.
