EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Atlas Van Lines, the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, is implementing the “largest and most extensive” pay increase for owner-operators in the truckload freight division, which also significantly increased earnings for those in the special commodities division.
The increases applied throughout the company’s contracts with corporate fleet drivers, coupled with new cost-saving initiatives, will result in a significant rise in compensation for its drivers, according to Phil Wahl, senior vice president and GM for Atlas Logistics.
Effective immediately, the average mileage pay increases are $.06 per mile in the truckload freight division and $.10 per mile in the special commodities division. The addition of stop pay, detention pay and pay for in-van equipment counts and resets on truckload shipments will further increase overall pay, especially for Atlas drivers in the truckload division. Atlas is also paying additional mileage pay on all first-year miles to new drivers in its freight divisions. These revisions will equate to several more cents per mile for drivers in Atlas’ corporate fleet.
“The heart of this pay increase revision is based on feedback we have received from our owner- operators,” Wahl said. “The success and financial stability of our owner operators is essential to the success of our fleet operations, and no one knows more about the biggest hurdles in reaching those individual goals than the owner operators themselves.”
In addition, Atlas has revisited owner-operator expenses and implemented numerous policy changes to provide drivers thousands of dollars in cost savings. For instance, the company now accepts occupational accident coverage in addition to its previous requirement for worker’s compensation coverage. Furthermore, Wahl said, Atlas’ expanded corporate fuel discount program now includes seven major brands and over 1,300 locations nationwide, adding convenience and meaningful cost savings for fuel. Together, these changes will save owner operators nearly $10,000 annually.
In the household goods division of Atlas Van Lines, the company has implemented a strategy to increase driver pay through service pricing increases. The rollout is underway and will continue through 2019.
“We are extremely proud to implement this historic pay raise for the individuals who drive our company forward,” said Jack Griffin, chairman and CEO of Atlas World Group. “Atlas is committed to developing strategic initiatives to stay ahead of the driver shortage, all of which are focused on investing in the development and retention of the industry’s next generation.”
For more information on owner operator career opportunities with Atlas Van Lines, visit www.driveatlas.com.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
