CRST Expedited to increase driver pay by $10 million

To increase employee retention and attract new employees, CRST Expedited Inc. will increase overall driver pay by $10 million over the next year. 

It will mark the  largest pay increase in the 58-year history of its parent company, CRST International of Cedar Rapids.

All new and 4,000 existing drivers are eligible to receive the pay hikes, said Cameron Holzer, president of CRST Expedited. Pay increases will be issued based on several factors, including incremental pay-per-performance, tenure and experience.

Holzer said the company decided to increase pay due to two contributing factors - an industry-wide driver shortage and new federal regulations that limit the number of hours drivers can log, which went into effect July 1.

"We wanted to reimburse them for what they lost," Holzer said.

Holzer said CRST Expedited's driver base is short about 200 drivers, and he hopes the pay increase will attract new employees into the industry and to his company, in particular.

"It's a difficult job, and it's not a lifestyle most people prefer to do," Holzer said. "Our drivers are away from home for three to four weeks at a time, so it's difficult to attract employees."

CRST Expedited operates by using teams of drivers to move shipments more efficiently.