If you’re looking for one of Eastern Jackson County’s largest employers, you don’t have to look far.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association makes its headquarters in Grain Valley and employs approximately 340 full-time staff members. The lobbying group founded in 1973 works to advocate for its more than 162,000 members who collectively own and/or operate more than 240,000 individual heavy-duty trucks and small truck fleets.
“In short, we fight for the rights of truckers,” spokesman for OOIDA, Norita Taylor says.
OOIDA is headed by a 22-member board. Each member of the board is or has been a professional trucker and is elected by the members.
Rising cost of fuel has hit members hard.
“The biggest issue is fuel prices,” Taylor said. “Diesel fuel rose quite a bit back in mid-March, above the price of gasoline. It’s a burden on independent truckers.”
The group is working to cut gas surcharges and to educate members on how to lower operating costs. OOIDA, through its subsidiary, Owner-Operator Services, offers a wide variety of benefit programs to help members reduce costs.
The official publication of the group, Land Line Magazine, keeps members posted on the important issues of the day. To view the magazine’s online version, visit www.landlinemag.com.
The association’s radio program, Land Line Now can be heard on XM 171.
