How to keep the supply chain moving during a truck driver strike

In the transportation industry, a single strike can have tremendous ramifications throughout the country. Whether it’s port workers or truck drivers, all businesses are affected when transportation workers set down a picket line.

How can you keep your business running during a truck driver strike? Is there a way to prevent it from happening? Keep reading to get answers.

The causes of truck driver strikes

The 2024 strike of 45,000 dockworkers at 36 ports across the country shook not only the transportation industry but the entire nation. The leaders of various companies were left wondering how to prevent such a disaster within their company. What can they learn from this strike?

Here are the most common reasons for strikes within the trucking industry:

1. Unfair wages: With steady inflation and a desire to live comfortably, it’s unsurprising that wages are at the heart of drivers striking or leaving one company for another. Many drivers feel they should receive better pay for the amount of work they do.
2. Lack of benefits: Along with increased wages, drivers want better benefits. Not just healthcare but benefits that improve their daily work, such as paid sick days or internet radio services for long drives.
3. Lack of work/life balance: Trucking often requires long hours on the road, making it a lonely profession. Many drivers want flexible schedules to spend more time with their loved ones. 
4. Safety concerns: Some truckers feel that newer drivers aren’t adequately trained for the road, which endangers everyone. Experienced drivers also want better tools and training to stay safer on the road.
5. Lack of career advancement opportunities: Many truckers want to learn more about the industry or explore new paths, such as mentoring, but feel no opportunities exist.

The challenges created by truck driver strikes

How does a trucker strike affect your business?

1. Delays: A lack of drivers means various delays in deliveries and projects for your business.
2. Product shortages: Transportation delays can lead to massive product shortages, causing problems for numerous companies.
3. Tarnished reputation: A strike can damage your company’s reputation with other businesses and drivers. Businesses will see you as unreliable and less likely to work with you. New drivers see the strike as a reason not to work for you.
4. Potential fines: Depending on your contract with other businesses, you may incur fines for late deliveries.

Alternative transport solutions during a strike

If you’re facing a potential strike you can’t prevent, it’s time to consider alternative modes of transportation. 

Rail

Transporting goods by rail is a good alternative to trucking since you can still easily get products between states. Rail can also handle bulk shipments. However, it’s important to note that you’ll have to follow the railroad’s schedule instead of setting your own—which means you’ll need to plan ahead to deliver goods on time. 

Ship

If you’re looking to get goods from one part of the country to another, delivery by ship could work. With fairly straightforward schedules and travel, ships can get your goods where they need to go. The downside is that the elements control sea shipments, and delays due to weather or choppy waters are common.

Air

Air transportation is probably the least helpful alternative to trucking because of its high cost. While this method can quickly get things from one place to another, ideal for avoiding late fees, the costs associated with fuel and pilots often cause businesses to lose money. 

Proactive planning to prevent future trucker strikes

Take the initiative to prevent your truck drivers from striking by following these steps:

1. Show appreciation to your drivers

This concept may seem simple, but it’s easy for respect and appreciation to get overlooked while running a business. A lack of respect is a common reason for unhappiness among transport workers. Many feel that companies don’t realize how much they do and the physical toll the job can take.

To show your thanks, you can consider implementing various improvements:

• Increase wages. 
• Offer better benefits.
• Set up an awards system for good performance.
• Ensure clean restrooms and breakrooms in all your offices.
• Highlight high performers.
• Say, “Thank you.”
• Offer various avenues for career advancement.
• Improve the fleet of vehicles.

2. Maintain clear communication with drivers

Improve your relationship with your drivers by keeping a clear and open line of communication. Ensure they know what’s happening within the company and any changes that may impact their jobs. For example, talk to your fleet about how a port strike would affect your business and their schedules. Keeping drivers informed shows respect.

Communication can also extend to your dispatch team. Communication dispatchers who can assist drivers while on the road will improve their experience. Drivers need support if they have questions or need to alter their schedules due to unforeseen circumstances.

3. Ensure safety is a priority

Convey to your fleet that safety is always your company's number one priority. Review your current fleet safety policy and programs to see if improvements need to be made, and ask your drivers what they want to see. Create continuous training programs so experienced drivers can refine their skills better to demonstrate that safety doesn’t stop after hiring.

Use TranSim™ to challenge experienced drivers with various difficulty settings or custom-made scenarios. While one driver trains, the others can still be on the road, making you money. Newer drivers can also gain experience that helps them know how to react while behind the wheel.

Safety and respect are crucial to preventing the loss of quality drivers due to a strike or their departure to join another company. 

Keep drivers in top shape

Using a driving simulator from Driver Training Solutions will prove to your drivers that their safety is always a top priority. With numerous scenarios preloaded, a custom builder and varying levels of difficulty, each driver can experience a personalized training session that focuses on the skills they need to improve.