The following statement was issued by OOIDA following a recent rant by Chris Spear, President of the ATA.
โMost small-business truckers โ who represent the majority of motor carriers โ have objected to ATAโs policies in a firm, but extremely respectful and civil manner. Mr. Spearโs suggestion that OOIDA employs questionable tactics and threatens harm on others is patently false.
โOne should never doubt that OOIDAโs mission and agenda has been the same for 45 years, fighting for the rights of all truckers. We have stayed true to that under Mr. Johnstonโs leadership and will continue to do so under Mr. Spencer.ย
That representation and message is resonating now more than ever, energizing truckers across the industry to activism in the legislative and regulatory processes. Mr. Spear not only went out of his way to marginalize their concerns, but referred to them as โamateursโ in the process. He doesnโt even recognize his pursuit of divisive policies and use of disparaging words have fueled the acrimony not only in our industry, but among his own members.
โIt appears that as we remain committed to being the lone, loud voice representing the truckers that the ATA has little to no regard for, Mr. Spear simply feels ATAโs positions and policies are vulnerable, and he is lashing out with falsehoods and misrepresentations.โ
