"I wanted to update you on the latest developments regarding the Administration’s vaccine mandate proposal, as well provide relevant resources to help your companies navigate this issue.
Since OSHA sent its proposed rule—which has not yet been made public—to the White House on October 12, we have been in constant communication with Administration officials to convey our serious concerns over the impact such a policy will have on the trucking industry and our ability to keep the nation’s supply lines moving.
This evening, we submitted official comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs—the White House office responsible for reviewing the draft Emergency Temporary Standard before it can go into effect. Our letter formally requests that the Administration:
Exempt truck drivers from the ETS, in the same manner that Canada has in its national vaccine mandate;
Ensure fleets that hold federal contracts are not subject to overlapping, contradictory requirements; and
Allow for a reasonable implementation deadline of at least 90 days.
Thanks to data provided by ATA members, we have detailed the grave consequences that a misguided rule would have on our nation’s supply chain, which is already under enormous strain. We have made clear that our industry can ill-afford further disruptions as we carry out the vital work of delivering vaccines, PPE, medical supplies, food, water, gasoline, and other essential goods.
It bears repeating that no rule—draft or otherwise—has been made public to date. Although we hope the Administration heeds our concerns, we are prepared to respond to every possible outcome, with all options on the table, including potential legal action if necessary.
In the meantime, we have prepared this toolkit, including frequently asked questions, to help you and your employees better understand what is undoubtedly a complex topic and complicated rulemaking process.
We will keep you updated with additional developments.
Best,
Chris"
