re: Truck driver shortage getting worse, potentially will increase consumer prices

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But I live in an 8 million yard a year market with a bunch of competitors where we collectively act like a bunch of dumbasses and chew each other up on price even in a sold out market. Dumbest arse thing I have ever seen.

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This is the problem

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If I had a magic wand, I would raise the unit price of concrete 20% while maintaining our current market position, hire 40 new drivers and start them off 20% higher than we currently do and raise every veteran drivers rate 20% and let them all work 50 hours a week.

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I would be willing to bet the driver makes up less than 10% of the input cost on a load, thus a 2% price increase would fund the 20% raise.

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Our guys work their asses off doing 60-70 hour weeks with no routine schedule guaranteed. We are governed by DOT 10 hour rule between shifts and one mandatory 24 hour reset per week. They work 70 hours while getting dog cussed by half of the customers they deliver to because they didn’t back in just right , or the slump isn’t perfect, etc.. And they are mentally and physically exhausted. All to make $70-$80.

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Close to 17 an hour give or take a bit, you are not going to attract and retain many with other options in the market you are describing.

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Good money for someone without a valued skill set

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Ah, now we are getting down to the real problem, not sure what to say about you not finding value in the skill set of those whom you depend on to make a living.