ATA to Cut Its Dues, Focus on Lobbying

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The restructuring of American Trucking Associations into a Washington lobbying powerhouse entered its final phase Feb. 8 as its executive committee unanimously approved a $49.8 million budget that increases the group’s focus on national advocacy and initiates a second round of dues cuts.

	Michael James - Transport Topics
	Truckload leaders Mac McCormick (left) and Gary Baumhover (right) discuss ATA restructuring with President Walter B. McCormick Jr.

ATA began a dramatic restructuring in 1998 in response to demands from members that the 67-year-old association increase its emphasis on lobbying Congress, regulatory agencies, the courts and the news media. The association lopped membership dues by 25% in 1998 while cutting costs.

The 2000 budget gives motor carrier members a 10% discount on their 2000 dues, which will be credited against their 2001 dues. Assuming that ATA’s major conferences vote to integrate with their parent association and that ATA membership and non-dues revenue grow as expected, the budget then calls for an additional 10% dues reduction in 2002.

“This means that from Jan. 1, 1999, to Jan. 1, 2002, ATA dues will have been reduced by 45%. Compound that and it’s 51%,” ATA President Walter B. McCormick Jr. said in a Feb. 6 speech at the start of the board’s three-day meeting.

The plan calls for a variety of streamlining efforts that could greatly alter the look of the association, from its location to its makeup.

“This represents the kind of bold change trucking needs in order to fight and win battles our industry simply cannot afford to lose,” said ATA Chairman Lee P. Shaffer, president of Kenan Transport Co., Chapel Hill, N.C.

For the full story, see the Feb. 14 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.