Driver pay in the third quarter increased at an annualized rate of 1.4 percent, according to the National Survey of Driver Wages, a rate that did not keep up with inflation for the first time in nearly six years.

The Survey's November newsletter reports that the Consumer Price Index increased 2.1 percent for the January-October 2001 time frame, more than driver wages increased. That's a reversal of the trend in the previous 23 quarters, in which driver wage growth has been significantly higher than CPI growth.
The driver pay results were heavily affected by several large carriers cutting the starting pay for drivers with three years experience. J.B. Hunt moved their pay from 37 cents per mile to 34 cents per mile. USA Truck moved their pay from 36 cents per mile to 34 cents per mile. Other carriers cutting pay during the third quarter, according to the Survey, were Covenant Transport and Smithway Motor Xpress.
Other carriers, however, moved starting pay up, by as much as 4 cents per mile, narrowing the gap between carriers' starting pay. Among carriers raising their pay during the quarter were CalArk International, Landair Transport, Weist Truckline and Contract Freighters Inc.

The National Survey of Driver Wages is published by SignPost Inc. For more information, visit www.natlsrvy.com.
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