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11/10/2021
American Trucking Associations (ATA), in partnership with the Louisiana Motor Truck Association, the Mississippi Trucking Association and the Texas Trucking Association, has filed a lawsuit challenging the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for trucking employees.
The suit has been filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit based in New Orleans. Several other organizations joined the suit, including the Food Marketing Institute, International Warehouse Logistics Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Retail Federation, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and National Federation of Independent Business.
The Biden administration has “overstepped its statutory authority” in issuing the mandate, adding that he believes the mandate is forcing truckers to choose between work and their medical decisions, said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear in a press release.
“We told the administration that this mandate, given the nature of our industry and makeup of our workforce, could have devastating impacts on the supply chain and the economy and they have, unfortunately, chosen to move forward despite those warnings,” Spear said.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) did not go through the proper rule-making channels to institute the vaccine mandate, said Nicholas Geale, ATA vice president of workforce policy.
“We are asking the court to stay implementation of the mandate,” said Geale. “A stay pending full review is essential to ensure our members can continue to keep the supply chain moving without the enormous disruptions this unlawful [emergency temporary standard] will cause the trucking industry.”