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Safe rates and unpaid labour: Non-driving pay and truck driver work hours

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Takahiko Kudo  and
Michael H Belzer
Takahiko Kudo
Affiliation:
Creativ Ceutical (Tokyo Office), Luxembourg
Michael H Belzer*
Affiliation:
Wayne State University, USA
*
Michael H Belzer, 656 W Kirby, 2127 Faculty | Administration Building, Detroit MI 48202-3622, USA. Email: Michael.H.Belzer@wayne.edu
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Abstract

In the trucking industry, truck drivers’ duties include not only driving trucks but also non-driving labor. However, non-driving work is not necessarily paid. This article analyses how the payment for non-driving duties (non-driving pay) affects truck drivers’ work hours. Using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Long-Haul Truck Driver survey, the study finds that remunerating drivers for non-driving duties decreases drivers’ work hours. Drivers who are paid for their non-driving labor may reach their target earnings in fewer work hours, leading them to refrain from working extremely long hours and more willingly comply with working time regulations. The policy implication is that paying for non-driving labor can prevent drivers from working excessively long hours, mitigating fatigue, and consequent accidents. Thus, pay for non-driving labor may enhance their safety and health.

Keywords

J33J28J31Truck driverspieceworkremunerationsafetyworking timeunpaid labor timewage ratestarget earningsfatiguecompensation
Type
Original Articles
Information
The Economic and Labour Relations Review , Volume 30 , Issue 4: Brexit Wellbeing and Safety , December 2019 , pp. 532 - 548
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019

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