The future of the fight

When we began our coverage of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s 50th anniversary year, I had the opportunity to speak with Association president Todd Spencer about the past five decades of achievement and growth.

As Spencer reminisced about the past 50 years, sharing stories of OOIDA’s founding members and trials and hardships they faced, one thing became increasingly clear: He and the entire staff of the Association were more inclined to focus on the future than simply celebrate the past.

During our conversation, Spencer said the industry had grown “complex,” which honestly feels like an understatement.

OOIDA is busy trying to get such measures as broker transparency, overtime pay and restroom access across the finish line while fighting against efforts to require such technology as speed limiters, automatic emergency braking systems and side underride guards.

For an organization like OOIDA, now is not the time to pat itself on the back – it’s time to get to work.

And with a solid foundation laid through five decades of hard work and determination from numerous OOIDA members and staff, a new crop of individuals is picking up the mantle and joining the fight.

Fighting for the rights of all truckers

In most instances, the impetus for change starts at the legislative level. This is especially true in the trucking industry. Paul Torlina, government affairs counsel for OOIDA, is one piece of the puzzle when it comes to leading that charge.

Torlina joined the Association in May 2023. Though his background is primarily in litigation and trial work, he said working with organized labor unions like Teamsters has laid a solid foundation for advocacy work.

“I’ve had a good idea of what it’s like to advocate for workers out there in the workforce who can certainly be treated better and not only in pay, but also working conditions,” Torlina added.

In his role with the Association, Torlina works with the D.C. office – along with the executive board – to identify regulations and legislation at the federal and state levels that affect truckers. He hopes to play a key role in educating lawmakers with the interests of small-business truckers in mind.

“Without a voice trying to push that needle in a certain direction, I think what you get is lawmakers are going to do what they think they need to do,” Torlina said. “So if I can help them get that needle moved in our direction, I think that’s what I want to see be the impact of what I do here at OOIDA.”

Boots on the ground

Finding the voice of the “everyday trucker” is an area in which OOIDA has a distinct advantage. With more than 150,000 members in all 50 states and Canada, there is rarely an issue finding drivers willing to share their opinions and insights from the road. In fact, all of the Association’s officers and directors are current or retired truckers.

This mentality is echoed in OOIDA’s board of directors. The 22-member board – elected from the membership and by the membership – helps define the Association’s position on all major trucking issues. The board also consists of four alternates who attend meetings and stand in to vote for any absent members.

One of those is newly appointed alternate Harry Smith. A third-generation trucker from Bountiful, Utah, the 35-year-old Smith describes himself as a “young trucker with old-school training.” His youth, coupled with a thorough understanding of the industry, makes him an excellent representative for the next generation of trucking.

“Trucking is the only thing I’ve ever known, so I know how great it is. I don’t think most of our society sees it that way,” Smith said. “I’ve got to find a way to help make our industry better. Get more talent, get better talent and get better people into our industry.”

Knowing how and what needs to change is simply the first part of the equation. Having the passion and drive to put those thoughts into action is an entirely different matter. In Smith, this desire to enact change is evident. And he sees OOIDA as the “perfect platform” to make that change possible.

“I love trucking, but how can I make it better? Well, you can’t do it alone,” he said. “You got an organization that’s built just for people like me … So OOIDA needs to help me help my industry, and that’s why I want to be there. That’s why I want to be a part of it and that’s why I want to serve.”

Spreading the word

Of course, finding that voice means very little if nobody hears it. That’s when having a good “hype man” comes in handy. Enter George O’Connor, OOIDA’s director of communications.

It doesn’t take long to recognize the energy emitting from O’Connor, who seems to operate only on full speed – an excellent trait for a hype man.  He joined the Association’s staff in October 2022 and didn’t take long to be all-in on his new endeavor.

“The chemistry in this organization and between the organization and the membership, it’s palpable,” he said. “You see it at the board meetings, in person and in conversations with board members.”

With more than 13 years of experience in Washington, D.C., O’Connor brings with him the knowledge and drive to navigate the political arena. He refers to his role as “an extension of our policy advocacy efforts.”

“If a member of Congress is hearing from our government affairs staff in meetings, explaining legislation, explaining regulations and where OOIDA’s position is, it’s my role to ensure that they are hearing the same messages in D.C. media and at times in their local media markets, as well,” he said.

O’Connor added that in most instances, media outlets aren’t interested in hearing from a spokesperson; they want to talk to truckers. Fortunately for him, he happens to know a few.

“Having a deep bench of ‘trucker spokespeople’ that we work with all the time … people want to get involved in the advocacy and the advocacy space,” he said. “And with 150,000 members across the country, it’s a real asset to have folks that are ready to get involved.”

Full-speed ahead

As we enter this final quarter of the Association’s 50th anniversary year, the focus now shifts from celebrating the past to looking toward the future. Myriad irons are in the proverbial fire when it comes to change within the industry. Now more than ever, trucking must have a unified voice.

“If you want the system to treat you fairly, you’ve got to be a participant. You have to be a player. You have to be involved,” Spencer said in a recent op-ed for Land Line. “OOIDA gives you the means and the information to do all of that.”

Growing its numbers and expanding its voice will be critical to OOIDA’s advocacy efforts in the coming years. With a strong stable of dedicated newcomers, the Association can approach the future with a sense of optimism, knowing the fight is in good hands. LL