FLEETS RAISE COMPENSATION
TRANSPORT AMERICA joined a growing list of trucking companies that are increasing per-mile and accessorial pay. Transport America drivers will receive a flat rate of $100 and $50 for driver assist for loading and unloading. Contract drivers will receive $300 for 24 hours of layover. City cartage pay for hourly loads, line haul support, reposition trailers and yard checks will be $16 per hour for company drivers and $30 per hour for contract drivers.
Company drivers will receive $16 per hour after two hours of detention, and contractors will receive $30 per hour after two hours.
Under EPES TRANSPORT SYSTEM’S new pay package for company drivers, a driver with two years of experience will start at 32 cents per mile; three years of experience at 33 cents; four years of experience at 34 cents; and five or more years of experience at 35 cents. A 1-cent safety bonus will be paid quarterly for no preventable accidents.
The company is also offering improved compensation packages for owner-operators.
Under flatbed carrier BOYD BROS.’S pay plan, owner-operators will see an increase up to 88 cents per mile for contractors with more than six months of experience in the company’s lease-purchase program. Owner-operators will also be offered the choice of mileage pay or a percentage pay option of 70 percent with a company trailer or 77 percent with their own trailer.
The company also has a graduated stop-off pay scale. Regular and weekend layover pay, as well as detention pay, have been increased.
Company drivers will see mileage rate increases, varying with experience.
U.S. XPRESS announced that solo company drivers could receive up to 43 cents per mile and teams up to 53 cents per mile. The mileage pay adjustment includes allowances for accessorial charges, such as stoppage and detention.
On Feb. 15, the carrier will start its new mileage pay program for company drivers. Independent contractors received raises of up to 5 cents per mile in January.
MILLIS TRANSFER’S new performance bonus includes 2 cents per mile for 2,000 miles to 2,500 miles per week; 3 cents per mile for 2,501 miles to 2,999 miles per week, and 4 cents for more than 3,000 miles per week. The new safety bonus includes 2 cents per mile for the first 12 months; 2.5 cents per mile for the first year; and 3 cents per mile for the fifth year. Company drivers also qualify for a $1,000 sign-on bonus, and owner-operators benefit from no up-front money being required.
Increases worth an estimated $3,200 to $5,000 a year are in the works for independent contractors operating within DART TRANSIT Co.’s “National” dispatch system. The rate increases will include higher mileage rates, higher payments for unloading, stop-pay and detention pay.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
STAR TRANSPORTATION, Nashville, Tenn., honored 11 drivers in December with Safe Driving Awards: Charles Johnson, Everette Vickers, Jose Maya, Warren Luttman, Darrin Bell, Leroy Propst, Mario Richardson, Steven Mikell, Fred William, Samuel Sarullo and Remona Lawson.
PRIORITY TRUCK LINES recognized Tony Pelligano as its October 2003 Driver of the Month.
