ILTA, NTTC Urge Congress to Include Terminals, Tank Truck Workers in COVID-19 Fund

ILTA and the National Tank Truck Carriers asked that terminal employees and tanker truck drivers be included in the proposed “Heroes Fund” to help recruit and retain workers who are deemed essential. The fund has yet to gain approval on Capitol Hill.

“Without the continued work performed by these operations professionals, the fuel required to move critical supplies and people — including essential workers in other industries — would become unavailable,” the groups wrote to congressional leaders April 15.

“A program to provide hazard pay and recruitment bonuses to support the critical workforce responsible for the distribution of diesel and gasoline would clearly strengthen the resilience of this critical energy sector, our nation’s ability to respond to the virus and the health of our entire economy,” added the groups, which represent the workforce tasked with the storage, loading, trucking and distribution of fuels.

Led by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the chamber’s minority leader, Senate Democrats proposed establishing a fund that would provide a $25,000 premium pay increase for front-line workers categorized as essential during the crisis. The pay increase would last through the rest of the year. Those in the essential category include transit workers, other transportation personnel and the petroleum storage workforce.

Schumer said earlier this month, “Essential front-line workers sacrifice daily for our collective health and well-being, and Senate Democrats are fully committed to supplying these heroes the financial support they deserve.”