FedEx warns of higher costs under trucker rest break waivers

‘Multiple millions of dollars’ at stake if FMCSA approves hours-of-service waivers for California, Washington, delivery giant says

Costs could soar if the feds reverse course on driver oversight in California and Washington, FedEx warns. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

WASHINGTON — FedEx Corp. predicts higher costs on its linehaul and delivery routes as well as those of rivals if the Biden administration approves waivers governing truck driver meal and rest breaks in California and Washington.

In comments filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, FedEx (NYSE: FDX) asserted that if the FMCSA were to waive its preemption over the two states’ meal and rest break (MRB) laws — which would make interstate carriers subject to the stricter state rules — it will cause financial havoc as well as decrease safety.

“State rules on meal periods and rest breaks require FedEx and other transportation companies to revise routes, as well as compensation plans and policies, at a great operational cost,” wrote FedEx Corporate Vice President Clement Klank.

“The addition of this break time, some of which is paid time, increases labor costs to the tune of multiple millions of dollars each year.”

Moreover, according to Klank, “unnecessary but required breaks increase the length of a driver’s workday and their time away from home, having a negative impact on both driver fatigue and driver morale.”

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    31 Comments

    1. Ross bran

      I work on the dock for a large carrier and we never ever get a break wether we work 3 or 8 hours like what the a actual hell

    2. Cruzintrucker

      Fed Ex raising prices because of so many accidents with those doubles wrecking ,.senseless those drivers always speeding and wrecking holding up miles and miles of traffic A petition needs to start aquiring signatures of driver’s that would like to see those trucks govern to 60mph .people lives are more important than a package and a dollar for Fed ex .Contract more freight out and keep our roads safe Fed ex .Stop pushing your driver’s to the max causing to to wreck 2 out of every 5 truck accident involved a Fed ex truck I see it everyday driving across this country .

    3. ALLEN SZYKULA

      I love the complaint from FedEx but it will hurt my wallet poor baby sell a house don’t buy a new yacht calm down you have money to spare just give the top 10% of the company a pay cut to make up the difference.

    4. Todd

      Thank God that the Biden administration is forcing trucking companies to treat drivers like humans and provide them with proper rest times. Trucking companies are motivated by one thing and that thing is greed. If trucking companies were left unchecked they would work their drivers to death and just claim that it was due to company needs. I was a truck driver for 15 years and “quality of life” wasn’t in a truck drivers vocabulary. That is starting to change as we learn the importance of self worth and respect for our bodies. Having proper rest periods will ensure that a driver is more alert to the needs of a stressful life on the road. Shame on any trucking company that puts profits over humanity.

    5. Howard

      Im a retired Teamster. Been retired almost four yrs. If the company can’t run by the laws that are passed shut your doors & let a good union driver do the job.
      I’VE had FED X, CONWAY, (now something else) Central Transport, all the non union companies blow by me like I’m sitting still. They should NOT have to drive like ass holes. It’s safety!! If you cant do it safe, DONT DO IT AT ALL!!!!

    Comments are closed.

    John Gallagher

    Based in Washington, D.C., John specializes in regulation and legislation affecting all sectors of freight transportation. He has covered rail, trucking and maritime issues since 1993 for a variety of publications based in the U.S. and the U.K. John began business reporting in 1993 at Broadcasting & Cable Magazine. He graduated from Florida State University majoring in English and business.