THE ELUSIVE SWEATSHOP

This study surveyed over 1,600 long-distance drivers of refrigerated trucks to investigate if and to what extent drivers felt that they were disadvantaged regarding working conditions and compensation levels, their tenure with their current employer and their commitment to driving. Most drivers expressed satisfaction with driving and their compensation, and 63% intend to remain in the profession over the next five years. Eighty-five percent of drivers said they enjoyed driving and only 19% of all drivers characterized their pay as being poor. Truck drivers who entered the profession before 1980 (and deregulation) are slightly less likely to enjoy driving than those who entered after 1989. Responses regarding tenure with current employer support the contention that turnover rates in trucking are higher than for the labor force as a whole. However, turnover rates are consistent with other occupations that require relatively low skill levels and offer few opportunities for advancement. Overall results tend to refute concerns that deregulation has resulted in erosion in driver compensation levels and working conditions to the point where they are inconsistent with those attainable by similarly skilled workers elsewhere in the economy.