OOIDA National Call to Action
April 14, 2004

Fuel prices are hitting record highs. Stories about gas and diesel prices are headlining daily in TV, newspaper and radio news reports. Politicians pay close attention to headlines.

Now is the time to take advantage of those headlines. Now is the time to contact your congressmen and senators about passing mandatory fuel surcharge legislation! Let them know what they can do to help you and your fellow truckers survive the sky-high fuel prices.

Small-business truckers who have their own authority often have little leverage against shippers to require a fuel surcharge. Even if you are currently receiving surcharge money from a carrier or broker, most likely it's a fraction of what they are charging their customers and a tiny fraction of what you are paying at the pump.

Mandatory fuel surcharge legislation would require motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders to use a fuel surcharge with truckload shipments when the average price of diesel fuel goes above $1.15/gallon. This legislation would also require 100 percent of the surcharge to be passed through to you.

This legislation does not yet have a bill number, but it is currently being circulated around Capitol Hill by OOIDA.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives and Senate will be meeting over the next few weeks "in conference" to reconcile their respective versions of the highway funding reauthorization bill. There may be a chance to get the mandatory fuel surcharge legislation into the final "Conference Report" for the highway bill. This is what ultimately goes to the president to be signed into law or vetoed. And it's our opportunity to fix a problem that has been around for decades.

The bills in conference:

• House - Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, aka 'TEA-LU' (HR 3550)
• Senate - Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act, aka 'SAFETEA' (S 1072)

The message:

"Small-business truckers need to have mandatory fuel surcharge legislation passed to survive spikes in current and future diesel fuel prices. If Senator _____ or Congressman _____ is not a conferee for the highway bill, it is extremely important that they contact lawmakers who will be participating in the conference about the need for fuel surcharge legislation."

Please call and write your U.S. elected officials at their Washington and/or local offices as soon as possible. If you are not sure who they are, simply phone the OOIDA Membership Department and they'll look up the information for you. The toll-free number is 1-800-444-5791. If you know who they are but don't have contact information, you can visit www.congress.org, www.house.gov or www.senate.gov. Or you can also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. If you're home, try looking in the blue government pages in the phone book, or call local information.

Pointers for effective communication:

• Be Prepared - You may have the opportunity for only a brief conversation, so try to make the best of that time. Before you pick up the phone, organize your thoughts for the main points you would like to talk about.
• The Right Person - When calling a Washington office, be sure to ask for the individual who handles transportation issues for the lawmaker. It is highly unlikely that you will be able to speak directly with your lawmaker. Talking with the staff person who advises them on an issue is often just as effective. If you get transferred to voice mail, don't be frustrated. Leave a message saying the same things you would say anyway. Also leave your phone number and ask for a return call.
• Who You Are - The first thing you will want to say or write is who you are, where you are from, and what you want to talk about. You may also want to let them know that you are an OOIDA member and that they may contact the association about the surcharge legislation.
• To the Point - Be clear and concise in your writing. Try not to be too lengthy, but be sure to fully explain yourself. Focus on one specific issue in each letter.
• Assist their Understanding - Remember to use terms and references the lawmaker and his or her staff will easily be able to understand. Providing examples and discussing your experiences will also be very helpful.

If you have questions, do not hesitate to call the association at 1-800-444-5791.

Together we can make our voices heard.
Together we can make Capitol Hill take notice.
Together we can make life better for truckers throughout America.