TCA Growing Despite Concerns

LAS VEGAS — Membership is up at the Truckload Carriers Association, despite some concerns that a plan to make membership contingent upon joining American Trucking Associations will drive carriers away.

TCA’s membership increased from 855 in December to 880 as of March 14, Becky Shoemaker, TCA’s membership director, said as the association’s annual meeting got under way. The TCA conference runs through Wednesday.

The growth is a positive sign, according to association officials, since TCA has said it expects to lose members after the association votes next year to affiliate with ATA under the Wren Commission’s strategic plan. At issue is the planned requirement to make ATA membership a prerequisite for TCA membership, said TCA President Lana Batts. Landstar Systems and J.B. Hunt have quit TCA over the issue.

Landstar canceled its memberships in both TCA and ATA last year to protest both the joint membership requirement and the elimination of its discounted ATA dues. J.B. Hunt canceled its TCA membership in favor of paying increased dues to ATA.

ATA President Walter B. McCormick Jr. arrived in Las Vegas Sunday to begin three days of meetings to recruit TCA members to join ATA.

For the full story, see the March 22 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.