Transportation workforce investment is key to America’s future

Transportation workforce investment is key to America’s future

Investment in transportation infrastructure is necessary for the trucking industry, but workforce provisions will harm the economy.

Contact: 

Meghan Cieslak, mcieslak@ifdaonline.org, 703-962-9950

MCLEAN, Va., April 1, 2021 — Mark S. Allen, President and CEO of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) said that certain proposals in President Joe Biden’s transportation infrastructure plan are important to foodservice distributors and America’s businesses, but the included labor policy would be extremely harmful to American businesses.

“Investing in America’s future is critical for the foodservice distribution industry, and modernizing our infrastructure for 21st century commerce would help the supply chain more efficiently move goods and materials to America’s foodservice operators and restaurants across the country,” Allen said. “We do not believe the Administration’s funding proposal is a reliable long-term solution to the shortfall facing the Highway Trust Fund. We also disagree with certain provisions – especially those related to labor policy – that are counterproductive to economic growth. As the country invests in our physical infrastructure, we should invest in our workforce by removing antiquated regulations and pave the way for the next generation of truck drivers through the DRIVE-Safe Act. This common-sense legislation costs the government nothing but will provide a pathway to well-paying jobs for our nation’s emerging workforce.

“We look forward to working with Congress and the White House to enact a long-overdue infrastructure bill that ensures the economy continues to recover and businesses can continue to create badly needed jobs. The DRIVE-Safe Act should be a necessary and important part of this infrastructure package as well.”

 
About IFDA
The International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) is the trade organization representing the $303 billion foodservice distribution industry and the 350,000 people it employs. Foodservice distribution ensures a safe and efficient supply of food and products to more than one million restaurants and foodservice outlets in the U.S. every day. For more information, visit www.ifdaonline.org.