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      Driving Change: How Truckers are Responding to Florida’s New Immigration Law

      Truckers’ Rallying Cry: Boycott Florida Latino truckers across our nation are pledging to boycott Florida in the wake of Governor Ron DeSantis signing a new law aimed at undocumented immigrants. Advocating for solidarity with their “Latin American brother,” they are utilizing the accessibility of social media platforms to orchestrate a collective movement. The proposed boycott is scheduled to start on June 1, a month before the new law will be enforced. The goal? To defend those who will go on to be affected by the law’s stringent restrictions. Dissecting Florida’s Senate Bill 1718 The response to Florida’s Senate Bill 1718 has been as controversial as its contents. Designed to tackle illegal immigration and counteract the perceived impacts of federal border policies, we’ve gone ahead and provided a concise list of what the bill includes: The new rules under Senate Bill 1718 are set to take effect in two months. The countdown to its enforcement has given rise to the planned boycott, signaling a tumultuous period ahead for Florida’s logistics and industrial staffing sectors. AOC’s Stand and a Truckers’ Plea New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez echoed these concerns, accusing policymakers of taking immigrant communities for granted. Additionally, a TikTok video from a Latino truck driver has gone viral. It features the driver pledging not to bring his truck to Florida, rallying his fellow drivers to do the same in an act of collective Latino solidarity. The Ripple Effect of Injustice The boycott found further fuel from the case of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a young truck driver sentenced to 110 years in prison for a fatal collision in Colorado in 2021. This sentence sparked outrage, leading to a petition with more than 5.1 million signatures that eventually resulted in a reduction of his sentence to 10 years. Many have begun drawing parallels between Aguilera-Mederos’s case and the new Florida law, viewing both as unjust and unfair. Solidarity Through Boycott Videos from other truckers echo this sentiment of solidarity and resistance. They pledge not to pick up or drop off cargo in Florida, aiming to disrupt the state’s logistics until immigrants are given the respect they deserve. As one trucker puts it, the goal is to make “Florida run out of loads.” This boycott, they believe, is a step towards eliminating the law they deem “stupid, silly” and discriminatory. Legal and Political Backdrop The new law was passed just as Title 42, a Trump-era policy that allowed swift expulsion of migrants on health grounds, was about to expire. Governor DeSantis has blamed the surge in immigration on the Biden administration’s policies. However, the Biden administration contends that the immigration system has been broken for a long time, and new reforms alone will not rectify the issue. As Florida braces for any coming logistics challenge, it remains to be seen how this boycott will shape the ongoing discourse surrounding immigration policy. Before You Hit the Road… As we navigate the winding roads of policy, protest, and community, the proposed Florida boycott by Latino truckers stands as a testament to the power of collective action. It’s a stark reminder of how legislation can reverberate across industries and communities, in this case, the logistics and industrial sectors. The truckers’ rallying cry, echoing across social media platforms, serves to highlight the deep-seated issues surrounding our country’s immigration policies and their real-world impacts. As Florida prepares for to confront this incoming storm of controversy, it’s clear that there is a long road ahead. We welcome your thoughts on these developments, so please feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below. As this story continues to unfold, we’ll keep you informed, charting the course through the complexities of legislation, protest, and the invaluable human element at the heart of the trucking industry. If you made it to this part of the article, we’d just like to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to read it. Be safe out there and as always, If you’re in search of CDL A, B, or warehouse positions, check out our open positions. And if you need staffing solutions for commercial driving or industrial positions, be sure to explore our offerings.

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      Screening Saliva: DOT Approves New Preemployment Drug Testing

      Revolutionizing Workplace Drug Testing There is some game changing news coming out of the world of workplace drug testing! The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has just issued its final ruling, officially allowing oral fluid testing, paving the way for a more efficient and less invasive alternative to the traditional urine tests we’re all well acquainted with in our industry. As we dive in, discover how this groundbreaking development could transform the industry, enhance drug detection, and even reduce some barriers faced by those looking to seek employment. New Era in Drug Testing: Oral Fluid Testing Approved With the Department’s final rule to amend regulations, a new door has opened allowing oral fluid testing in industry drug testing programs. This groundbreaking development offers employers an alternative method to traditional urine tests. The goal of this ruling shows a clear focus on combating employee cheating by providing a much less intrusive approach to maintaining safety in the workplace. Laboratory Certification: The Missing Piece Before this new method can be introduced across the industry for drug testing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must first certify at least two laboratories for this specific type of oral fluid testing, a step that as of posting this article, still remains incomplete. Once achieved, employers will be able to fully implement the use of oral fluid testing as an preemployment screening option. Oral Fluid Testing: A Time-Saving Solution DOT officials have highlighted the new method’s time-saving potential, particularly in cases where employees struggle to produce a sufficient urine specimen. Currently, individuals have up to three hours to provide a urine sample. If unsuccessful, they must undergo further evaluation by a physician. The new rule, however, allows employers to switch to oral fluid collection after the first failed attempt, substantially expediting the process altogether. Enhanced Effectiveness in Drug Detection According to the Federal Register filing, the benefits of oral fluid testing go well beyond just time and can actually improve the effectiveness of drug testing by detecting more recent drug use. The test can identify substances like marijuana and cocaine more quickly than urine testing, which tends to have a much longer detection window. This increased effectiveness could potentially deter employee drug use and ultimately minimize any safety risks associated with such behavior. Reducing Anxiety and Barriers to Employment Oral fluid testing also presents benefits in terms of reduced anxiety and discomfort for those being tested. For instance, a small number of DOT-regulated urine tests require direct observation, which for some can be quite invasive, even causing distress. By offering oral fluid testing as an alternative, these issues can be mitigated, potentially eliminating previously overlooked barriers to transportation employment for individuals who may be deterred by the traditional testing requirements. Before You Hit The Road… All in all, it seems the introduction of oral fluid testing in industry drug testing programs marks an exciting new era in workplace safety and drug detection. With the potential to streamline the process, improve effectiveness, and even alleviate anxiety for those being tested, it’s quite clear that this innovative approach is poised to make a significant impact. So, we’ll be sure to keep an eye on this situation as the full implementation of oral fluid testing begins its official rollout, hopefully heralding a brighter future for both employers and employees alike. If you made it to this part of the article, we’d just like to take a moment to thank you for taking the time to read it. Be safe out there and as always, If you’re in search of CDL A, B, or warehouse positions, check out our open positions. And if you need staffing solutions for commercial driving or industrial positions, be sure to explore our offerings.

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      FMCSA Increased Penalties Violations in 2023 – Are You Prepared?

      FMCSA Increased Penalties Violations in 2023 – Are You Prepared? FMCSA follows DOT Ruling The Department of Transportation (DOT) just made a big announcement that’s gonna shake things up for the trucking industry. They passed the new rule for 2023 that updates the penalties for breaking certain regulations, including those related to trucking company audits. 1.07745 Is A Magic Number You might be wondering why the DOT is doing this. Well, it’s because they’re required by federal law to adjust the fines every year to keep up with inflation. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 says that agencies like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have to make an initial “catch-up” adjustment, as well as annual adjustments for inflation. To figure out the new penalty amounts for 2023, the DOT used the October 2022 Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and compared it to the October 2021 CPI-U. This gave them a multiplier of 1.07745, which they used to increase all the previous penalty amounts. No Sneaky Penalties It’s important to keep in mind that these new penalties will only apply to violations that happen after the rule takes effect. If you broke any regulations before the rule was released, you’ll still be subject to the previous penalty amounts. And, the DOT made it clear that the rule doesn’t change any penalties that the agency is currently collecting or has already collected. Big Changes So, what does this mean for you as a trucker? Well, if you’ve done some looking into this already, you’ve probably seen some rather large numbers being thrown around. It’s important to note here is that while these larger numbers are not the fees for individuals, if you get caught breaking any FMCSA regulations in 2023 it’s certainly gonna cost you and your employer more than it would have before. The Bottom Line The DOT is certainly taking a harder stance on breaking regulations, and it’s going to cost more if you get caught. The easiest thing you can do is, make sure you’re following the rules and staying safe on the road. Stay informed and vigilant to avoid penalties and keep your trucking business moving. For a complete list of all the changes check out the official list of FMCSA Fines.

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