How Would A Truck Boycott Affect Cities?

How Would A Truck Strike or Boycott Affect Cities?

With truckers threatening boycotts of New York City, and in some cases the entire state is being boycotted, what is the effect on businesses and residents if a significant number of truckers and companies get involved with the boycotts.

The infographic below from CDLLife.com shows a good breakdown of the services and consequences of your actions when you #FAFO.

The infographic is based on all truckers (or significant majority) stopping deliveries. Of course, this will happen much more slowly in the case of New York as there will be drivers who are employed and need to do as they are told, there will be scabs that are happy to take the jobs and deliver and some drivers who just don’t care about what is going on and see it as a good opportunity to make a load of money by demanding higher prices to deliver.

The beauty of this protest is that they can’t be accused of doing something “illegal” such as blocking streets etc (like the Canadian protesters were accused of). In this case, the truckers are just deciding not to deliver somewhere which is entirely their prerogative.

Due to it not being a full boycott the times here will probably be dragged out, so a few days will become a week etc. What we think would happen is this:

First Week:

Not a lot of difference. There may be some panic buying at this point which would strip out some shops but things will probably be in stock and available for the most part. However, the panic buying is going to cause shortages after the “just-in-time” replacement system gets into trouble.

Fuel may become short of supply and hospitals could start to see shortages but these supplies I would imagine would be prioritised by trucking companies still shipping.

2 – 4 Weeks:

Fuel will start to run out.

Food shortages will become serious at this point with mass population panic buying.

ATMs will be running out of money

Crime will be escalating, with the potential for rioting.

Garbage will start to build up on the streets.

Rationing and purchase limits will likely now be in place for fuel, food, bottled water and other supplies.

5 Weeks +

Fuel will likely be depleted or limited to essential services only (police, ambulance)

Container ships will likely be sitting backed up in ports with no trucks to offload cargo on to, or cargo will be sitting on the docks not moving anywhere.

Crime is likely to be at high levels at this point, especially in lefty shitholes that are already experiencing rampant crime.

Garbage will be everywhere causing disease and an increase in pests.

Illnesses and deaths will start to increase with the lack of medical supplies and garbage services.

Shops will be out of food and products now.

Clean water will be in short demand and may even have stopped coming through water system.