On March 19, attorney Rebecca King spoke at an event at the Aspen Institute about “The Essential and Undervalued Work of Truckers.” She joined a group of industry experts who discussed the challenges truckers face and ideas for improving the industry.

 A career in trucking at one time meant a path to the middle class, but deregulation and a lack of quality jobs have led to subminimum wages, predatory leases, and incredibly demanding work hours under hazardous conditions.

 While the common narrative nowadays is that there is a shortage of truck drivers, the reality is that the shortage is primarily caused by high turnover rates, low wages, and a lack of good jobs that pay truckers a living wage. There are currently almost three-times as many qualified drivers as there are jobs.

 Rebecca currently represents drivers for wage claims and Truth In Leasing Act claims in lawsuits against CRST and Detmar Logistics.