Maryland Teamsters Advocate for Regulation of Driverless Vehicles

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is urging the Maryland House of Delegates to pass House Bill 439 (HB 439). This proposed legislation mandates the presence of a human operator in any vehicle exceeding 10,000 pounds. The Teamsters argue that this bill is crucial for safeguarding jobs and ensuring highway safety.

Sean Cedenio, President of Teamsters Joint Council 62, emphasized the importance of the bill in protecting middle-class jobs from the impact of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. He stated that the support of elected officials for this bill would align with the interests of the Teamsters and the general public.

Polling indicates that a majority of Americans favor implementing regulations on the AV industry to maintain job security and street safety. In addition to state-level advocacy, the Teamsters are also calling for federal regulations on driverless vehicles.

Kendall Walker, a member of Teamsters Local 639 and a UPS driver, expressed pride in his career and the opportunities it provides. He hopes that future generations will have similar opportunities to earn a living. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, founded in 1903, represents 1.3 million workers across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.