Truckers in the East Stage Strike to Protest High Diesel Prices

By: Philip Jones/Eyewitness News 9 | WNCT
Published: May 01, 2008

Fuel prices continue to soar, and your next trip to the gas pump will probably cost you a pretty penny -- especially if you're one of the many truckers here in the east.
It costs some of them more than $1,000 to fill up their tanks with diesel fuel -- and Thursday, truckers here said they've had enough of high gas prices.
So they staged a strike on Highway 17 in Vanceboro.
“They strike all over the world, but this is the first time that I know of they've ever struck on the east coast,” said strike organizer Roy Toler.
Instead of putting the petal to the metal, he and 17 other truckers are putting their foot down against high diesel prices.
They put their trucks in park for two hours Thursday -- hoping to send a message to both oil companies and lawmakers.
“Fuel prices now are right at $1200 just to fill up one truck,” Toler said. “It used to be $600. And pay, it ain't raised up much.”
And that’s what has truck drivers so upset.
“The prices of fuel are getting so high, that it's hard for truckers to maintain,” said Levis Lane. “So if the truckers go out of business, then I’m going to have to look for me a job to support me and my family.”
These truckers have to buy their own fuel, and with gas prices on the rise and wages steady -- they're having to choose between putting diesel in the tanks or food on their tables.
And they think they know what's fueling the price spikes.
“I believe it might be something called greed,” Toler said. “I'm not really for sure, but that's what I’m thinking.”
While most of the truckers here say they're probably taking a bit of a financial hit by making this statement today, they say they'd rather make a stand now than face the possibility of losing their jobs in the future.
“I'd much rather take a hit now, than be broke and can't afford to take a hit,” Toler said.
But with the way prices are rising, these guys say that might happen sooner rather than later.
And while the truckers say they had a decent turnout for their strike, they hope the word will spread -- so they can raise more awareness and hold bigger strikes in the future.