OOIDA files class action against Heartland Express: Alleges violation of federal leasing regulations

Jan. 8, 2002, Grain Valley, MO - The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association announces that it has again filed a class action against a major U.S. motor carrier for alleged violations of the federal leasing regulations.

OOIDA, along with two of its owner-operator members, filed the class action against Heartland Express Inc. of Iowa City, IA, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (in Davenport). The complaint contends Heartland Express has engaged in a pattern and practice of conduct violating its obligations to its leased owner-operators.

At issue are allegations that owner-operators leased to Heartland were forced to purchase insurance from the company, the failure of the carrier to provide insurance documents upon request and the excessive charge-backs to owner-operators for insurance premiums. The complaint also alleges excessive charge-backs to the owner-operators for fuel purchased through the carrier's purchasing program with Comdata Inc. All of the allegations represent violations of the federal truth-in-leasing regulations.

Heartland Express joins a growing list of motor carriers targeted in recent years by OOIDA in its efforts to promote compliance with federal leasing regulations. Other carriers currently defending themselves against legal actions by the nation's largest organization of professional truckers include Burlington Motor Carriers, Mayflower Transit, Ledar Transport, New Prime Inc, Arctic Express and Gilbert Express.

"OOIDA will continue to set its sights on unscrupulous carriers who bolster their profitability at the expense of their leased owner-operators", said OOIDA President Jim Johnston. "We are determined to eliminate the abuses of the federal leasing regulations that result in substantial financial losses to owner-operators and their businesses."

In addition to the specific counts mentioned in the complaint, OOIDA is requesting that the suit against Heartland Express be certified as a class action to include other owner-operators who have experienced similar losses through their leases with this carrier.