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The Gig Economy Comes to Trucking

Uber Freight is a new service and app that allows owner-operators to bypass traditional freight brokers and locate and contract loads for themselves. Photo: Uber Freight

I first ran across the idea of a “Gig Economy” a couple of weeks ago and immediately grasped its meaning. There's no official definition, but in broad terms, it characterizes a labor market in which people seek out short-term freelance work in addition to, or as opposed to, employment in the conventional sense.

This new concept is reflected in last week's launch by Uber of its long-anticipated Uber Freight service and app, which basically allows owner-operators to bypass traditional freight brokers and locate and contract loads for themselves. It's an interesting concept from the company that can arguably be called the tech enabler for this new Gig Economy.

This is the positive side of technology in action today, acting as an enabler for people who want to better their lives-– and it's nothing new. It's also a sign of the times. According to pretty much any survey you care to look at today, Americans work more hours (and take less time off) than any country except for South Korea. Meanwhile, real wages for blue- and middle-collar workers have flatlined over the past 30 years. To put it in a nutshell, all great Americans work harder than ever for paychecks that simply do not provide them with the earning power needed in today's economy.

So when Uber suddenly appeared back in 2009 as a way for anyone with a smartphone and a decent automobile to make a few bucks on the side, it took off like wildfire. There was pushback, of course. Conventional taxi companies were less than thrilled at the idea of pretty much anyone horning in on their action. And regulation-loving municipalities all ...Read the rest of this story

USA Truck Brings on New Chief Technology Officer

USA Truck has announced another leadership change, naming Kim Littlejohn as a vice president and chief technology officer.

Littlejohn most recently served as director of information technology for Interstate Distributor Co., in Tacoma, Wash. In the past, she also worked for Bishop, White, Marshall & Weibel, P.S. and NYK Business Systems Americas.

She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington and began her career as an IT professional as a developer with Boeing and then with Security Pacific Bank.

“We are excited to have Kim join the leadership team here at USA Truck. She has an impressive track record of delivering superior results, and does so with a high degree of employee engagement,” said Jason Bates, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Her attention to detail and cross-functional project prioritization experience will greatly enhance our efforts to position USA Truck as a premier provider of transportation capacity solutions.”

After a tough year in 2016, USA Truck has made a number of leadership changes this year, including naming a new president and CEO in James Reed and new executive vice president and chief commercial officer in Jim Craig.

In March, USA Truck's trucking operations president, N. Martin Tewari resigned from his position. This month, the company also appointed Werner Hugo as its senior vice president of trucking operations.

Related: XPO Logistics Glows while USA Truck, Celadon Deal with Woes

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Daseke announces stock plan for truck drivers

Daseke Inc. announced a new stock plan designed around professional company truck drivers. Daseke became a public company earlier this year and is traded on NASDAQ (DSKE, DSKEW).

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