OOIDA receives Hall of Fame status

From day one, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s sole purpose has been to fight for the rights of truckers with a mission of one voice for truckers everywhere.

Those efforts date back to 1973, when the organization was established, and include taking on the likes of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, Minnesota State Police, and Tennessee Public Service Commission, among numerous others.

In addition, OOIDA has fought for – and won – landmark decisions on cross-border trucking, leasing, taxes, size and weight limits, speed limits and more. All were fought with the goal of representing the rights of all professional truckers.

Now with more than 150,000 members, OOIDA continues to work for a business climate where truckers are treated equally while promoting safety and responsibility for all highway users.

As the American Truck Historical Society unveiled the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, it was made clear that it was the iconic names within the trucking industry who were being honored.

And sure enough, OOIDA was among this first class of icons.

“The efforts of our organization on behalf of small-business truckers have pretty much been around the whole life of trucking as we know it today,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “There’s been lots of changes over the years, but what has always been needed is to hear from the people behind the wheel. That’s what OOIDA has dedicated itself to from its very beginning.”

In the fight for truckers’ rights, the recognition of the importance of truckers and the industry to the American way of life has become another focal point.

“Trucks and truckers are the key to the very survival of this country,” Spencer said. “The importance of the folks behind the wheel is still taken for granted or lost on too many. And you can’t let that happen. If our country is going to succeed and prosper, these are the people who are going to make that all possible.”

Not only was the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame induction ceremony a reminder of this, but it was a chance to look back on all OOIDA has accomplished as well as look ahead to the future.

“It’s nice to interact with folks that basically have been players throughout the industry and how it has all evolved,” Spencer said. “You can learn a lot from where you were, and you better, because things are going to change down the road. We all have to adapt and find new ways to do things. But, events like this are what’s important. It sort of reminds us we are all in this together. Cooperation, communication and collegiality are a good approach to take.”

To honor OOIDA and the rest of the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame class, a brass plaque will be hung on the main wall of the Hall of Fame, which is at the American Truck Historical Society home office in Kansas City, Mo.

Clessie Lyle Cummins, founder of Cummins Engine Co.; John (Jack) and Gus Mack, founders of Mack Trucks Inc.; and radio personality Dave Nemo rounded out the Hall of Fame inductees.

“We said it on the radio that we are a service for the over-the-road professional truck driver,” Nemo said. “We became servants to the servants. The scope of trucking is so much broader than the trucks themselves. I think it’s remarkable that ATHS is expanding that horizon to be more inclusive of folks that are supporting the supporters. Hopefully we’ve been able to earn that trust through the years with the information we give, approach we take and the respect we have for what they do.” LL