Truckers Group Wants Walkout Over Wages, Work

BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A new truck drivers group is asking other truckers to stay off U.S. and Canadian roads from July 1 through July 4 to protest poor pay and working conditions, organizers of the proposed shutdown said Wednesday.

If the “truckers’ holiday” is successful, food will be in short supply at grocery stores by July 5, said Herman Johns, president of the United Truckers Alliance. And if their demands for better pay and working conditions are ignored, the Belleville-based group wants truckers to stay out until they are met.

“We are losing our professional drivers because they can’t afford to keep driving. They must work 90 to 100 hours a week,” said Cecilia (CeCe) Nebgen, vice president of UTA, which was formed in February.