For the second time in less than a week, a trucking carrier has shut its doors with no advanced warning. According to media reports in Alabama, Dothan-based Williams Trucking told its drivers on Wednesday to finish deliveries and then return to headquarters to clean out their belongings.
According to a driver who spoke anonymously to WDHN TV in Alabama, the closure was a complete surprise.
“We were rolling already, but (I) got that message and listened to it and I had to pull over and make sure I was listening to what I was listening to,” the driver told WDHN.
Calls by FreightWaves to Williams’ office went unanswered and email requests for comment to company officials had not been returned as of publication.
On April 27, 2019, Falcon Transport, a flatbed company based in Ohio with over 500 drivers, suddenly closed its doors, leaving drivers stranded. Williams was not as large; its website said it had 20 company trucks and 14 owner-operators, although a Facebook commenter said it was entirely owner-operators.
Official Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration records indicate the company has 48 power units and 48 drivers that totaled 5.1 million miles in 2017.
Founded in 1994 by John and Wanda Knopp as a single-truck operation, Williams quickly grew, specializing in the hauling of flatbed freight, mostly shingles and poles, according to its website.
A separate Facebook comment indicated the company had a poor maintenance track record. The website listed its truck models as 2012 Volvo VNL 630s and 2013 Freightliner Cascadias. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) SAFER website, Williams’ trucks had received 24 vehicle out-of-service notices in the past 24 months, out of 74 total inspections, for a 32.4 percent out-of-service rate. An additional 5 drivers were placed out of service.
FMCSA also recorded two crashes with injuries resulting and four additional crashes that required the vehicle to be towed.
Alabama companies are expected to follow the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) when layoffs affected more than 50 people are anticipated. The act requires 60 days notice for employees. It is unclear whether Williams Trucking employed more than 50 and was required to follow the provisions of the act.
John
You should check on tradition transportation on how they treat there drivers and steal from them
Chris Evans
I was with Arrow when they violated the WARN act. Blah!
Uncle John
Another one bites the dust!
Gee! I wonder why!
If freight haulers can’t make it financially, even when subsidized by poor driver pay, where is the freight-hauling trucking industry headed?! Consumers need to pony up for realistic shipping and freight costs which have been declining since 1975. Retailers must also get a grip and remove “free shipping” advertising, marketing and sales gimmicks. It ain’t free in this world folks! If you want an item shipped from CA to NY then fucking pay for it! As a commercial driver, I am disgusted with subsidizing consumer crap purchases at Wal-Mart and Costco with my 50% pay rate and no benefits.
Ken Larkin
Thank God. At least our interstates will be a bit safer with some of these diesel jockeys who think they own the roads out of service. Put the rest of them out and go back to freight trains.!!!!!
Michael Chapman
Great answer… love to see a train pull right in to a Walmart parking lot… you would then bitch about that too I bet. Damn those bumpy rail road tracks. And waiting for all of the train crossings… think before you speak…
Michael farmer
Telling michael that fool just want thinking
Jd
Moron
Anam Yaotse-Ife Hama
And what happens to their trucks semi and trailers? If they are in ” auction ” , for sale , then I would like to bid for one or two for cash . Thank you and My best regards . My cell number is : 240 551 9852
email : anamhama3@gmail.com .
Yours Sincerely , Anam Yaotse-Ife Hama
PS : CDL -A /B + HAZMAT-TANK , Doubles and Triples , Tank , Hazmat , Buses .
Cecilia Junkins
I work for Brown Trucking Company, corporate office located in Lithonia, GA. I know we are hiring O/O and company drivers for various locations. We have over 12 terminals in 9 states. Please give us a call at 770-482-2556 and ask for the recruiting department. Someone would be glad to speak with you and email an application.
Jc
And the industry says its short thousands of drivers! O wonder why.
Anon
FMCSA rules and regulations are a joke! They change continuously, and you can tell they are written by desk squatters that have NEVER driven a truck in their life. Yes they need rules, but the rules these people are forced to follow are ridiculous. The driving hours and rest time need to be fixed. If you are sitting waiting 4-5 hours to be unloaded then you should not be charged for in service time. Most drivers will nap or eat and then be in their way but they just lost that time and they still have to stop to rest. Anyone who reads the laws usually have to have someone decipher what they say because they are written in Ancient Greek! Truckers keep this nation going. You stop enough of them and you’re up shit creek without a paddle!
Howard j Boone
This is not new it has been going on for years, I know many companies that did it this is the American way untill the people unite this will keep happening
Chris Evans
I hated having to sit and wait 5 hours at a customer and my company using that towards sleeper birth. I ALWAYS took a minimum of 8 hours after leaving a customer and getting parked so I could e.s.s.s, eat shit shower and sleep. Just me tho.