Truckers: Slowdown protest planned for next week

[Contrary1]

Truckers feel squeeze of rising diesel prices

"Facing mounting diesel fuel costs and shrinking profits, truckers nationwide plan to protest next week by parking their semis or clogging traffic by driving slowly.

Pennsylvania-based independent truckers say they will send a convoy to that state's capital, Harrisburg, during rush hour Monday morning in protest of high fuel costs. They also are planning slowdowns during rush hour in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere, and some are planning to park for a few hours early Tuesday to show solidarity for a movement that seems to have no central organizer.

<snip>

Independent trucker Bob Kuzniar, 60, Churubusco, who drives a 200-gallon semitrailer loaded with soda and other goods, said he's heard truckers say they might call in sick Monday as their way of protesting.

While not saying he would participate in the protests, Kuzniar said his fuel costs more than doubled from $1,255 a week at the beginning of January to $2,684 last week. The cost increases will be passed on, he said..."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080328/BUSINESS/803280423#gslPageReturn

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Well, this will do nothing but alienate those who might otherwise be sympathetic to their cause...

Not a good idea at all.:thumbsdown:

[babylonsister]

2. Love ya, Cooley, but I don't agree. This will bring a lot of attention

to an issue that's affecting all of us. I say good for them! :thumbsup: Maybe if this went through a few news cycles, and the record profits of the oil companies were aired with the footage, someone might do something about it.

[Cooley Hurd]

3. I sure hope you're right...

:hi:

[InvisibleTouch]

6. Agree. It inconveniences those in the same boat...

...i.e. the rest of the motorists also paying exhorbitant fuel prices. And it won't do any good. The "call in sick" idea is much better - because the corporations will feel the pinch of lost profits, goods not delivered on time, etc. Only then might the big corporations use some of their clout to get heard on the issue of gas prices - not because they care about their workers or the rest of us, but because it impacts the holy bottom line.

[Redstone]

9. Yup. Here we go again; this isn't the first time.

Redstone

[madmom]

4. I don't think it's enough, they should totally stop for one week and bring

this country to a stand still. I know they can't afford it and it will never happen, but that's what needs to be done. IMO

[Contrary1]

5. I hope it works too...

Most of the deep thinkers who responded to the article don't seem to realize they are the ones footing the bill.

[babylonsister]

7. So as long as it affects us, it's not viable? That's

like saying vote for McCain so my taxes don't go up.

[Winterblues]

8. independent truckers ...says it all

If they aren't organized they won't get it done. Teamsters screwed the pooch though so truckers are going to have a hard time. Teamsters went Republican and will suffer for it..