New Jersey Assembly proposes new transportation bill

The New Jersey Assembly is targeting trucking companies for improperly listing professional drivers who have completed CDL training as independent contractors. Officials are proposing a New Jersey Motor Truck Association bill that could force trucking companies and owner-operators to leave the state.

“By misclassifying workers, an employer can avoid paying certain taxes like Social Security, Medicare and unemployment,” John Wisniewski, bill sponsor and assembly deputy speaker, told the source. “This is not the way to do business. This bill spells out what constitutes an employee versus an independent contractor to prevent unscrupulous companies from denying employees the benefits and protections they are entitled to.”

If passed, A-1578 would presume that a drayage trucking or parcel delivery trucking work arrangement is an employer-employee relationship. The trucking services that are performed for pay would all be considered legal employment, unless the company can prove otherwise to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Truckinginfo.com reported.

The high costs to operate New Jersey ports and rising toll increases are already causing freight diversions to ports in other states, and if the bill is passed, even more carriers are expected to leave New Jersey.

New Jersey Assembly proposes new transportation bill

Wednesday, October 24th, 2012