Prime Inc., Springfield, Mo., raised its minimum guarantee for independent contractors in its refrigerated and flatbed divisions, ensuring earnings of no less than $102,000 for every 100,000 miles completed.


This enhancement in guarantee still allows the operator to share in gains of the marketplace, but have the assurance that it will never be lower than $1.02 per mile, according to the company.

"It has long been Prime's belief that contractors should be paid on percentage of the revenue," says John Hancock, Prime's recruiting director. "With our percentage pay program, our operators immediately benefit from market improvements."

Hancock adds that Prime's independent contractors in this new program also enjoy a new fuel surcharge program that holds the cost of fuel at $1.20/gallon at 6 mpg.

"With our freight network, we're confident of our ability to pay 72 percent and still go no lower than $1.02 per mile plus the fuel surcharge," said Hancock.

This latest increase for contractors was effective June 1 and is available to all new and existing operators. In order to take advantage of this new opportunity, existing Prime operators must contact the leasing company to sign a one-page addendum.