MMTA reflects industry’s premier goal of sharing highways safely

As Maine approaches the 21st century, the trucking industry will play a major role in rapidly evolving transportation and business systems. From for-hire private truck owners, to companies that transport their own products, to providers of services to truckers, Maine Motor Transport Association members are committed to meeting the challenges of ensuring the uninterrupted flow of Maine goods into local, national, and international markets. Maine’s trucking industry, through MMTA, will continue to work with all business and government sectors to provide the most efficient, cost-effective distribution system possible.

According to Dale E. Hanington, MMTA’s executive director, like other trade associations, MMTA attempts to address as many of the industry’s needs as possible; to bring together the common needs and thoughts of the membership; to determine what member services it can provide; and to improve the environment in which the industry operates, including sponsoring and addressing key legislation.

The trucking industry also requires some services that are not necessarily applicable other associations. Since trucking is heavily regulated, requiring multiple licenses and permits, the MMTA assists its members in obtaining those licenses and permits either in Maine or in other states. As a member’s agent, MMTA also registers tractors and trailers.

The strength of the MMTA’s 790 members allows it to procure and sponsor beneficial programs including a workers’ compensation trust established in 1990 and a health insurance program that began in 1991, covering about 100 member companies. Those programs, and the organization’s advocacy, have sparked the organization’s healthy growth.

When the federal government instituted regulations requiring alcohol and drug testing of drivers under certain situations, including random testing, MMTA members realized the benefit that membership offfered. The MMTA joined forces with drivers in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island in a multi-state program covering several thousand drivers to help members through the process to ensure compliance. Participation in that alliance will ultimately save costs for those involved, will help ensure that members comply with the regulations, and also ensures that the collection sites have adequate equipment and supplies.

Some members also benefit from the MMTA’s turnpike toll discount program. Though large and small companies may be able to secure discounted tolls on their own, again, by pooling all the companies, the MMTA, on behalf of its members, can receive a larger discount than if they had applied individually.

Other member services include more affordable bonding. To encourage membership, the MMTA also sponsors various training programs and seminars, where members participate at a lower cost than non-members. Seminars on trucking regulations, hours of service, and safety regulations are among those offered.

Another common denominator, members’ workers’ compensation costs are a necessary, yet costly expense. In 1990, the MMTA established a workers comp trust for eligible members. To date, the program has not only saved members thousands of dollars in premiums, over the past few years, it has also refunded about $2.3 million to more than 70 participating members that were able to control their losses.

A loss-control specialist, who works with members and inspects job sites, can suggest strategies to lessen the likelihood of an incident. When claims arise, the specialist handles the claim, following it through the process to ensure that the worker can return to work as soon as possible.

To keep members abreast of current issues at both the state and federal levels, the MMTA publishes a magazine about 10 times per year. Since trucking is not stationary, truckers need to know about other states’ laws on special permits for oversize loads and other distinct laws of state they will pass through.

For more urgent information, like pending legislation that may adversely affect the industry, the MMTA publishes a newsletter announcing that information. The MMTA publishes its newsletter on an as-needed basis; sometimes as often as weekly during the legislative session to keep members apprised.

Hanington said the group’s retention rate remains consistently high. “Obviously, most members feel they benefit from their dues and the programs they take advantage of.”

To further foster the trucking industry’s growth, the MMTA established a scholarship foundation. Each year, the foundation awards a $500 scholarship to 10 graduating high school seniors who plan to continue their education that will eventually impact trucking. The MMTA provides scholarship information to all Maine high schools; no extra consideration is given to members’ children. As membership grows, so too will the number of scholarships awarded.

According to Hanington, one of the industry’s premier goals is to make the highways as safe as possible for all people who use them, including truckers and the general public. “People often forget that truckers also have families” he said, “and they want to be as safe as they can be out there.”

The MMTA has developed a series of public service announcements on how cars can safely share the road with trucks.