Guaranteed Overtime Pay: The GOT Truckers Act Sees New Hope

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Secure Overtime Pay for Truck Drivers

Proposed Law Would End a Longstanding Exemption

A new bill in Congress aims to guarantee overtime pay for truck drivers. The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers (GOT) Act would remove an old rule that exempts truckers from overtime pay. The bill was introduced by Representatives Mark Takano (D-CA) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ). Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) are leading the effort in the Senate.

Under current law, trucking companies do not have to pay overtime to their drivers. This rule comes from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938. If passed, the new law would ensure that truckers get overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours a week.

Calls for Overtime Pay

Supporters of the bill argue that truckers deserve fair compensation for their time. Congressman Takano highlighted the importance of truck drivers. “Truckers are vital for our supply chain, manufacturing, and the American way of life. It is unfair that they are singled out as somehow unworthy of overtime pay,” he said.

Congressman Van Drew shared a similar view. “Truck drivers keep our supply chain moving, often working long, exhausting hours to make sure goods get where they need to go,” he stated. “But right now, they are not guaranteed overtime pay like most other workers. It is just not right.”

Truckers often work long hours, spending extra time at loading docks and in traffic. Many go beyond 40 hours a week without any additional pay. Lawmakers argue that this is both unfair and unsafe. They say that experienced drivers are more likely to stay in the industry if they receive better pay.

Industry Support and Opposition to Guaranteed Overtime Pay

The GOT Truckers Act has gained support from trucking organizations. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters back the bill.

OOIDA President Todd Spencer believes truckers should be paid for all the hours they work. “It’s long past time the hard work of the men and women behind the wheel are fairly compensated,” he said. “By discounting a trucker’s time, ‘big trucking’ has driven wages downward, treating truckers as disposable rather than the skilled professionals they are.”

Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien also supports the bill. He called the current exemption a “decades-long wrong that serves only to harm drivers to the benefit of their employers.”

However, not everyone agrees. The American Trucking Associations (ATA), which represents large trucking companies, has opposed similar efforts in the past. ATA President Chris Spear has warned that removing the exemption could “decimate trucking jobs by upending pay models” that have provided steady wages for truck drivers.

Previous Efforts and Legislative Challenges

This is not the first time lawmakers have tried to remove the trucking exemption. Similar bills were introduced in 2022 and 2023 but failed to pass. Although the bill has bipartisan support, it faces challenges in moving forward.

If the law is changed, it could benefit many truck drivers. It would ensure that drivers who work long hours due to traffic, bad weather, or warehouse delays are fairly compensated. Supporters believe the law would improve driver retention and increase safety on the roads.

The Connection to Overtime Pay Tax Cuts

The bill comes at a time when tax policies on overtime wages are also being debated. Former President Donald Trump has proposed eliminating income tax on overtime pay. He raised this idea during his 2024 campaign and recently mentioned it again in a speech to Congress.

If the GOT Truckers Act passes, truck drivers could receive overtime pay for the first time. If Trump’s tax proposal also becomes law, those earnings might be tax-free.

What’s Next for the Bill?

The GOT Truckers Act has gained support from both Democrats and Republicans. It has also received backing from major trucking organizations. However, similar bills have failed before.

As lawmakers debate the issue, the outcome of this bill could have a major impact on truck drivers across the country. If passed, it could improve wages, driver retention, and road safety.