Association Execs Discuss ATA Ties

The leaders of state trucking associations are meeting this week to discuss several industry-related topics, including their comfort level with the restructuring of American Trucking Associations.

The Trucking Associations Executive Council’s annual conference has drawn state trucking officials from across the country to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Mixed in with informational sessions and congressional updates, the two top ATA officials — Chairman John Wren and President Walter B. McCormick Jr. — are scheduled to speak about the continuing changes at their organization.

Almost a year ago, the ATA board of directors approved a strategic plan aimed at strengthening the ties between the national trucking association and its state affiliates. The reforms required a trucking company to join a state association in order to be an ATA member, established lower dues levels for small companies likely to join state associations and gave large interstate carriers a “superstate” option to join multiple state associations. They also created a for-profit entity called Servco that would be jointly operated by the associations and offer such services as training, insurance, auditing and drug testing.

In February, some state association executives expressed dismay that they lacked details on how the plan would affect their relationship with ATA (2-8, p. 2).

Articles of affiliation since drafted by ATA and state association officials spell out the relationship, said Joel D. Anderson, executive vice president of the California Trucking Association.

While the CTA and associations in Arizona, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Utah and West Virginia have approved the articles, some affiliates remain skeptical. The remaining 41 state associations have until Dec. 31, 2000, to approve the articles.

For the full story, see the August 2 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.