CHANGES in the trucking industry and the future of the American Trucking Associations were key topics for Laurie Baulig, senior vice-president of policy and regulatory affairs for ATA in her speech, "The New ATA."
"We have been on the road since January asking members what they want from their national trade association," said Baulig. "They have told us they want strategic direction determined by ATA members, not by ATA staff. They want an ATA that is leaner and more efficient, with a sensible and fair dues structure. They want an ATA that exploits the full power of the trucking industry by working with state associations, conferences, and suppliers. They want value that can be measured on their bottom line."
More Productive The ATA is becoming leaner and more productive, said Baulig. "We are undertaking a top to bottom review of the organization. We are reviewing every policy, procedure, and practice in search of efficiencies, always with the objective of being more responsive to our members and more effective in Washington."
The ATA is eliminating duplication and waste, said Baulig. ATA's 1998 budget calls for substantial savings. A review of every employee and staff position has been completed. Some roles have been combined or eliminated, and staff positions have been cut by 10%.
New Strategic Plan "We are undertaking a bold, new strategic plan," said Baulig. "ATA's Chairman Ed Trout of Cornhusker Motor Lines has assembled a strategic planning committee of 20 members. It is made up of carriers representing every segment of the trucking industry."
Baulig said ATA wants to develop a membership whose political influence matches its economic influence.
"Our members represent 5% of the gross national product," said Baulig. "We employ nine million people. More than 400,000 companies in the United States are involved in the business of trucking. We represent 87% of freight transportation revenues."
Baulig believes the ATA can increase its political influence through four areas: legislative advocacy, regulatory advocacy, media advocacy, and litigation.
To do those things well, the ATA must be backed up by quality research, Baulig said. More often than not, in policy debates, facts carry the day, she said.
Team of Professionals "ATA is preparing for the new century with a team of well-qualified professionals who will handle the changes ahead," said Baulig. "Our new CEO, Walter B McCormick Jr, served for 10 years as staff director for the Senate Commerce Committee, a committee with jurisdiction over the trucking industry and transportation safety issues. He then served as general counsel of the Department of Transportation under the Bush administration. For the past five years, he headed the legislative and regulatory affairs practice group at an international law firm specializing in both transportation and telecommunications issues.
"On the other fronts, we have legislative, regulatory policy, and public relations teams. The ATA Foundation is comprised of a strong team of professionals."
Baulig said the new ATA team wants action in three areas: taxes and fees, where the government picks their pockets; preparations of authorizations, where the government spends their money; and on regulation, where the government interferes with their business.
No More Burdens "On taxes and fees, truckers want no more burdens," said Baulig. "Transportation taxes are regressive and inflationary, and they add directly to the cost of products."
Truckers want ATA to fight tolls and the congestion they bring, said Baulig.
"Concerning authorizations and appropriations, our members want us to fight night and day for increased highway spending," she said. "The difference between a $20 billion and a $30 billion highway program is about 500 miles of new roads a year. It is the difference between safer, well-maintained roads, and crumbling roads that increase delays, and add up to 10 cents per mile to operating costs.
"In both the House and Senate, we have achieved unprecedented levels of highway funding without adding new fuel taxes," Baulig said. "Recently, House and Senate conferees agreed to spend $167 billion on highways over the next six years, or $27.8 billion annually. The deal also includes a commitment to spend future highway trust fund monies on their intended purpose-highways.
"This will assure that our nation's highways will be adequately maintained and that we will have the necessary infrastructure to compete in the next century," Baulig said.
"ATA also supports the repeal of the tire tax, which would save the trucking industry around $500 million per year."
According to Baulig, ATA also is working to improve the image of the trucking industry.At ATA's previous executive committee meeting, members approved tw o new programs designed to improve public perception of the trucking industry, Baulig said. "Knights of the Road" is a program initiated by state associations. It is intended to address some of the most pressing highway safety issues, including road rage, aggressive driving, drunk driving, and crime, she said.
"The ATA is joining Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, American Automobile Association, state police, the insurance industry, and others in using onboard communications technologies to report unsafe and criminal acts," Baulig said. "The goal is that whenever a would-be lawbreaker sees a truck on the highway, he is seeing a knight of the road on patrol."
The second image program also pertains to America's future, said Baulig. Truckers are good citizens on the highways and good citizens in the community.
"Truckers are big brothers and sisters on and off the road," said Baulig. "They are active in Boy Scouts, Little League, and 4-H. Our job is to make the public aware of people in the trucking industry who are working to make this nation a better place."
A major priority of the new ATA is to strengthen ties with state associations and conferences, said Baulig. "Our philosophy is simple. Consult, collaborate, and cooperate. Teamwork is the key to success."