By Greg Jones, Guest Writer So, is that driver your employee? Or maybe an independent contractor? And what’s the big deal anyways? Well, it might not be a big deal in some respects. But if facing exposure for hourly wages, unemployment insurance taxes, and company benefits is critical to your company, then the “employee”/ “independent contractor” distinction is a […]
The Last Word – What’s in a Name? Read More »
Shannon Newton President, ATA My career in the trucking industry began with a successful flatbed carrier based in North Little Rock. I was 23, a recent UCA graduate and this was my first “real job.” I was, to say the least, eager; eager to prove valuable, to contribute to something greater, to be treated (finally)
Up Front- Eager to Serve Read More »
By Philip Byrd, Guest Writer Congestion and gridlock are, unfortunately, a way of life for us in the trucking industry. Traffic delays add costs, waste fuel and time and generally make the job of delivering America’s goods challenging. Gridlock and congestion have also seized up our government in Washington – delaying critical actions that could
The Last Word – Not Backing Down: The Fight for Highway Funding Read More »
Shannon Newton, Selected to Lead Industry Group The Board of Directors of the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Newton as President. Shannon has been with the ATA since 2003 and has served as vice president since 2008. She succeeds Lane Kidd who resigned earlier this year. Newton will assume
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Gary Salisbury Chairman & CEO, Fikes Truck Line Chairman, Arkansas Trucking Association Over the past several years it seems like all we have talked about, looked at, pointed at and cussed about has been regulations and the re-regulation of our industry. From CSA and electronic logos to EPA standards and the California Air Resource Board,
Up Front – The Year of the Driver Read More »
By Mitchell Lowe, Guest Writer Most Americans have heard of political action committees, or PACs, but couldn’t tell you the first thing about them—except that they’re evil. Their malicious image is largely the result of negative press and the wide- spread demonization of special interest groups in the political process. The fact is PACs, in
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By Tom Ricciardone, Guest Writer On February 5, the day after an icy, wintry mix hit Central Arkansas, the front page of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette featured a four-column wide photo of an over-turned tractor-trailer. The bold type headline: “Rig Flips on I-30 Exit Ramp.” Just days later, after another blast of weather, Sunday’s Page 1
The Last Word – Eyes Wide Open: The Big Rig Dilemma Read More »
From The President’s Desk The ‘power of association’ is a phrase we often use. The phrase is perfect in the way it describes how the Arkansas Trucking Association (ATA) has consistently performed well for its’ member companies. Simply put, the power of association is about leveraging the collective strengths of individual companies. Conversely, the
Up Front – The Power of Association Continues Read More »