JOPLIN, Mo. — Oct. 4, 2012 — Con-way Truckload, a subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), today announced two improvements to driver pay packages that will increase driver compensation.
Effective Nov. 25, the company is instituting a $.01-per-mile increase in mileage pay, applicable to both company drivers and owner-operators. The company also is changing the standard for unpaid wait time when drivers are detained at customer loading docks. This “wait time” before detention pay is earned has been reduced from three hours to two.
“Con-way Truckload has always prided itself on providing a competitive pay package that’s among the best in the industry, and responding to the input and concerns of our drivers,” said Saul Gonzalez, the company’s president. “Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to both of these objectives. Our drivers are the heart of our service performance. A competitive and well-thought-out compensation package reflects the crucial role our drivers play in the quality of our service, and our recognition of the value they represent to our company and our customers.”
When combined with Con-way Truckload’s long length-of-hauls, predictable miles and other driver incentives and benefits, the pay upgrades announced today position the company with one of the industry’s most attractive driver compensation programs.
Gonzalez noted that Con-way Truckload emphasizes premium service, managing its network operations and 2,800-truck fleet for maximum availability to customers and maximum miles for drivers, while working against strict standards for on-time pick-up and delivery.
Effectively managing that balance — keeping drivers on the road and having trucks available where and when customers need capacity — is influenced as well by shippers and their ability to load and unload trucks in a timely manner. Loading and unloading a full-truckload shipment typically averages two hours, yet drivers are often detained at shippers’ docks for longer periods of time. Excessive “detention” time reduces driver compensation and can create on-the-job frustration. It also makes it that much more difficult to keep trucks on schedule with the often tight service windows that today’s high-velocity supply chains demand. “Ultimately, excessive detention is waste that costs the shipper more in transportation expense,” Gonzales noted.
He added that excessive detention was the number one concern aired by drivers in recent discussion forums. That feedback led to the company’s decision to decrease wait time for detention pay from three hours to two hours. “We have had very positive feedback and we’re pleased to be able to make this change to improve driver compensation, and reward their commitment to excellent customer service,” he said.
“By continuing to re-evaluate our compensation package, review industry standards and listen to our drivers, we hope to remain one of the best and most competitive carriers in the industry,” Gonzalez concluded.
About Con-way Truckload
Joplin, Mo.-based Con-way Truckload is an operating company of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW) and a leading provider of expedited, time-definite full-truckload transportation services across North America. Formerly Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI), Con-way Truckload today employs over 3,000 drivers with a fleet of more than 2,800 tractors and 8,000 trailers operating throughout the United States as well as internationally in Mexico and Canada. The company provides full-truckload transportation serving the transcontinental shipping needs of commercial and industrial businesses as well as sister company Con-way Freight.
