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Truck Driver Pay Bill Introduced In Congress

A bill that started out as a plan to require that truck drivers be paid for on-duty, non-driving time has been introduced in Congress, but it comes with a big change

by Staff
June 27, 2002
2 min to read


A bill that started out as a plan to require that truck drivers be paid for on-duty, non-driving time has been introduced in Congress, but it comes with a big change.

In March, Truckinginfo.com reported Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) planned to introduce the Fair Wage Act this year. It would have required truckers be paid for non-driving tasks they do every day, such as fueling, inspecting their trucks, filling out logbooks and waiting to load and unload their rigs.
However, the bill as introduced recently into the U.S. House of Representatives is different. Instead it calls for truck drivers to be paid at least the minimum wage for all hours worked.
Known as the “Hour's Pay for an Hour's Work Act of 2002,” H.R. 4762 would amend the Fair Wage Labor Standards Act of 1938, ending the exemption that has kept truck drivers from receiving overtime pay.
The new legislation would apply only to company drivers working full time if their total wages for a week do not average out to at least the minimum wage, currently $5.15 an hour. However, the legislation would reportedly require the truck driver to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board or file suit against their employer.
The bill has yet to receive any co-sponsors, meaning its chances for passage are slim. It currently awaits action after being referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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