The Truckload Carriers Assn. (TCA) is inviting truck drivers to nominate motor carriers for the 6th annual "Best Fleets to Drive For" survey and contest, which serves as the assocation's annual evaluation of the best employers in the trucking industry.
The contest is open to all for-hire trucking companies operating in the U.S. or Canada with 10 or more trucks, regardless of TCA membership status. After a company is nominated by a driver and chooses to continue with the survey and contest, it answers questions about its human resources best practices, both electronically and via phone interviews with senior management and a random sampling of its drivers. Top finishers will be identified as Best Fleets to Drive For, and the highest scoring fleets in each of the Company Driver and Owner-Operator categories will be named that category’s overall winner.
“This program publicly recognizes and celebrates the fleets that are working to provide exceptional workplace environments,” said Mark Murrell, president of CarriersEdge, the company that conducts the survey for TCA. “As we survey the participants, we’re documenting a series of success stories that model best practices for other companies to adopt or follow. It’s good for the carriers, the drivers, and the image of trucking, which is why the number of nominations seems to double every year. As we head into the next round, I have no doubt that this trend will continue.”
As a carrier proceeds through the program, its policies and processes are scrutinized, from benefits and professional development, to driver and community support, to safety record and company culture.
“Entering this competition forces a carrier to examine, in depth, its recruiting, HR policies, procedures and benefits. A review of maintenance and safety practices / results is also necessary,” according to Tom Pirnie, president of Grand Island Express of Grand Island, NE, the winner of the Best Overall Fleet for Company Drivers in last year’s program. “The whole process will give you a benchmark as to how you compare to your competition. It will bring positive change to your company.”
Pirnie believes that there are many tangible benefits for carriers who participate in Best Fleets to Drive For. “The competition can supply renewed energy and focus on company improvements,” he said. “Setting goals and working on improvements can upgrade the communications and morale of all the associates, including the drivers themselves. Winning or placing in the top 20 creates company pride and unity.”
After the survey is completed, the top 20 winners will be announced on Jan. 31, 2014, and will be recognized at TCA’s Annual Convention, March 23-26, 2014, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, TX. The Best Overall Fleet in both categories will also be announced and honored at the convention.
Company drivers and owner-operators may nominate trucking companies through 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 1, 2013. Go to http://www.BestFleetsToDriveFor.com to complete the nomination form.
To view best practices from last year’s survey as well as profiles of the overall winners, visit http://www.BestFleetsToDriveFor.com.
