Chapter
The History of Trucking Unions in the US
45:15 - 54:11 (08:56)
A discussion about trucking unions in the US in the mid-20th century, their misconceptions, and how they unified the entire trucking labor force under one contract. Even non-unionized truck drivers lamented the disappearance of unions in the evolving trucking industry from the 1970s to the present day.
Clips
The average length of haul in the trucking industry has been steadily declining over the past 15 years from a thousand miles to under 500, affecting the importance of self-driving trucks.
45:15 - 47:02 (01:47)
Summary
The average length of haul in the trucking industry has been steadily declining over the past 15 years from a thousand miles to under 500, affecting the importance of self-driving trucks. Publicly subsidized training may be available to those who lose their job due to foreign trade or are veterans using their GI benefits to become a truck driver.
ChapterThe History of Trucking Unions in the US
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The trucking industry in the US was regulated during the New Deal era, except for agriculture, as it would drive up food prices.
47:02 - 50:12 (03:10)
Summary
The trucking industry in the US was regulated during the New Deal era, except for agriculture, as it would drive up food prices. Jimmy Hoffa played a significant role in unifying the nation's trucking labor force under one contract, making it one of the highest-paying industries in the 1960s.
ChapterThe History of Trucking Unions in the US
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The trucking industry traditionally appeals to those who want a tangible, masculine ethos that does not involve paperwork or politics.
50:12 - 51:03 (00:50)
Summary
The trucking industry traditionally appeals to those who want a tangible, masculine ethos that does not involve paperwork or politics. However, unions have their own benefits and drawbacks, such as job security and the cost of membership fees.
ChapterThe History of Trucking Unions in the US
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A study conducted by author and transportation specialist, Shane Hamilton, revealed that drivers who experienced unions were more favorable towards them than those who didn't.
51:03 - 52:55 (01:52)
Summary
A study conducted by author and transportation specialist, Shane Hamilton, revealed that drivers who experienced unions were more favorable towards them than those who didn't. Hamilton found that even some drivers who were not part of the union longed for their return due to the overall market impact the unions had on the trucking industry.
ChapterThe History of Trucking Unions in the US
Episode#237 – Steve Viscelli: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Jimmy Hoffa's leadership in the Teamsters Union tied wages to productivity and was remarkably open about his negotiation strategy with employers.
52:55 - 54:11 (01:15)
Summary
Jimmy Hoffa's leadership in the Teamsters Union tied wages to productivity and was remarkably open about his negotiation strategy with employers. The union understood that the success of the workers and their employers were intertwined, and oftentimes trucking corruption started with employers who sought to limit competition with the help of labor.