Possible Truck Drivers Stike

High gas prices are cutting into profits for everyone, and that includes independent truckers. There is more than just chatter on the radios of truck drivers these days. Rumors are spreading that independent truckers nationwide are planning slowdowns and shutdowns to protest the high price of diesel fuel. Diesel fuel is the lifeblood for every independent trucker. It keeps the tires rolling and the money flowing. Ronald Johnson has owned and operated his truck for 31 years. The cost of diesel fuel has risen to about $4 a gallon, and he says its affecting his livelihood. “Its costing twice as much now to run a business as it did a year ago." Now theres talk over the CB radio that beginning midnight Monday, independent truckers will put their trucks in park in a nationwide strike. Johnson and some of his colleagues agree chances that it will really happen are slim. With the price at the pump continuing to rise, Johnson says a strike sounds like a good idea. But he says it wont have much effect unless larger companies get involved. "The little man we cant stop it. The owner-operator can not do it." John McClendon is in charge of operations at Davison Transport in Ruston. The company employees 35 independent drivers in its fleet of more than 200 trucks. McClendon says this talk of strike is nothing new. “This about the third time this has happened in our industry over the last 20 or so years. The fact of the matter is some kind of strike, its a short term fix at best." He believes most drivers would lose too much money to go along with a strike. "Chances are there are a lot of those guys out there that cant afford to, but you have some hardliners thatll say were fixing to make a stand. Were going to get somebodys attention." But Johnson says if enough truckers shutdown, the effects would be felt within days. We’re told 76% of produce is delivered by independent drivers. That means each day truckers are off the road, thats a day where things like food and gas arent being delivered. (Copyright 2008, NBC 10/Fox 14 News, Written by Casey Ferrand)