Tractor-trailer drivers say
the sky-high gas prices are eating into earnings, and today, they tried to band together to voice their frustrations, but felt they
had to pump the brakes on their plans.
The drivers were supposed to leave the Vince Lombardi Rest
Stop in Ridgefield and hit the New Jersey Turnpike all together at once, blocking
traffic to get attention on their struggle. But they say there were too few
drivers and too many state police troopers.
"They used to pay us like $2 a mile, $3 a mile, and now, fuel
prices are more expensive, but they are not paying more money per load,” says
driver Jose Estevez.
Tractor-trailer drivers that spoke with News
12 say they're making about 20% less since gas prices have gone up.
"Just breaking even,”
says driver Yousuf Soufe. “I'm just breaking even. The rates have really gone
down and the fuel has gone up, you know, this is really going to affect the
livelihood of the trucking industry."
According to AAA, the
average price of diesel is $5.29 a gallon right now. Last month, it was over $1
cheaper. Drivers say they would like to see the state bring down taxes on fuel.
"I think that they're
not taking it seriously,” says Estevez. “They are not doing anything to help us."
“We keep America running,”
says Soufe. “We keep the economy running. We want the common public to know and
support us."
Tractor-trailer drivers say
this was a warning. They say if companies do not pay them more to compensate, they
will try to do this again and block the highways.