Michigan Trucking Association, Michigan Agri-Business Association warn pending vaccine mandates threaten rural economic growth, cross-border trade LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 4, 2021) — In a letter to Michigan’s Congressional delegation, the Michigan Agri-Business Association (MABA) and Michigan Trucking Association (MTA) today warned of a growing nationwide truck driver shortage, and cautioned two pending vaccine mandates from the federal government risk sending drivers out of the labor force. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to require COVID-19 vaccination for certain essential workers entering the U.S. at land borders beginning in January. In addition, the U.S. Department of Labor plans to mandate private businesses to require a COVID-19 vaccine or weekly testing among their workers. “Keeping truck drivers on the job is absolutely critical as our nation faces a historic supply chain crisis,” said Brian Hitchcock, chairman of the Michigan Trucking Association. “Many truck drivers are vaccinated against COVID-19, but many are not. The reality is new vaccine mandates will lead to Michigan-based truck drivers leaving the labor force, or refusing work that requires travel to Canada, our number-one trading partner.” DHS has announced that beginning in early January 2022, foreign national travelers crossing into the U.S. at land points of entry – including essential workers such as truckers – must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement goes beyond standards the Government of Canada has established for truck drivers entering Canada. MABA and MTA warned the DHS proposal would almost certainly result in a reciprocal policy for truck drivers entering Canada. Many Michigan-based truck drivers would refuse to make international deliveries as a result, hampering Michigan’s top export corridor. “Our association continues to strongly promote voluntary vaccination against COVID-19, but the fact is vaccine mandates will send truck drivers out of the workforce during a historic supply chain crisis,” said Lippstreu. “We need federal policies in place that help keep truck drivers on the job, supporting Michigan agriculture and growing agricultural exports – including to Canada, our top export destination.” In addition to the proposed border requirement, MTA and MABA said many businesses remain concerned about the potential impact of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) emergency standard requiring companies with 100 or more employees to vaccinate their workers. MABA previously detailed these concerns to the White House Office of Management and Budget in a comment submitted last month. # # #
