The Alabama Trucking Association applauds Governor Kay Ivey’s decision to drive Alabama’s economic recovery by discontinuing federal pandemic unemployment benefits.

Employers will tell you there are plenty of good-paying jobs available, but they are unable to fill them under the current system. And the trucking industry is no different.

“The trucking industry did not stop throughout the pandemic,” said ATA President and CEO Mark Colson. “Millions of truck drivers, fleet managers, service technicians, dispatchers, and other industry workers were essential in keeping the nation’s economy rolling during an unprecedented time. But now we need even more Americans to step up and get the economy rolling again. For thousands of trucking businesses, a shortage of professional drivers is having a ripple effect throughout the economy.”

Unemployment benefits were a lifeline to millions of displaced workers who were negatively impacted by government shutdowns and a struggling economy caused by the pandemic, but now it’s time to get to work.

“As the economy starts to rev up, Alabama truckers have and will continue to drive the recovery,” Colson added.