Teamsters Concerned About Safety of Autonomous Vehicles

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has revealed a comprehensive “guiding document” aimed at steering federal policymakers in the right direction concerning autonomous vehicles.

This document, named the “Autonomous Vehicle Federal Policy Principles,” arrives among growing concerns about accidents caused by self-driving cars and trucks. The union contends that autonomous vehicles are jeopardizing families and communities nationwide.

Teamsters General President, Sean M. O’Brien, expressed the union’s commitment, stating, “Hundreds of thousands of Teamsters make their livelihoods by turning the key, so we are unwaveringly dedicated to collaborating with Congress and federal regulators to craft effective AV policies. Robust federal AV policies must prioritize the welfare of workers and the safety of the public. Any legislation that places workers and the general public at risk will be met with staunch opposition by the Teamsters and our allies.”

Five Key Principles for Federal AV Policy

Outlined within the document are five principles that Teamsters feel Congress and federal regulators must adhere to when creating a federal AV policy. Ideally the policy will not only protect workers, but also uphold strict safety standards:

1. Vehicle Regulation: The federal government’s jurisdiction extends to vehicle manufacturing and performance standards, and it must wield these authorities to regulate self-driving cars and trucks.
2. Operator Regulation: FMCSA holds responsibility for overseeing commercial vehicle drivers and the circumstances and safety conditions under which they operate.
3. Operations Regulation: Both the Department of Transportation and FMCSA possess an array of regulatory powers related to the safe operation of vehicles and the criteria carriers must meet to secure authorization for their operations.
4. Interaction with Existing Laws: Congress must carefully consider potential conflicts and issues arising from the interplay between existing legislation and the efforts to legislate and regulate autonomous vehicles.
5. Workforce Impacts: Congress must not entertain any legislative package concerning self-driving cars and trucks that fails to directly and effectively address workforce-related issues and any shifting operational or economic conditions arising from the commercialization of AVs.

The urgency surrounding AV-related concerns has led to a strong bipartisan appetite for action within Congress. Later this week, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit is scheduled to convene for a hearing specifically focused on self-driving trucks.

“In representation of the 1.2 million Teamsters who either operate trucks or share the road with autonomous vehicles, we passionately endorse the adoption of these proposals,” emphasized O’Brien. “Lawmakers must rise to the occasion and take decisive action now.”

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