New era in human relations, trucking experts say

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The US trucking business has largely been union-free since it was deregulated with the 1980’s Motor Carrier Act, while problems at those companies whose workforce is still Teamster-affiliated have, in some cases, persisted and developed deeper-rooted financial issues. However, a looming driver shortage comprising possibly as much as 160,000 unfilled positions by 2016 is changing the face of the business, along with tightening regulations about who is qualified to work in it.