Trucker protests high fuel prices

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

PONCA CITY, Okla. -- Truckers across the country are on strike this week to protest skyrocketing diesel costs.

In Oklahoma, the price of diesel is close to $4 a gallon, forcing a Ponca City trucker to pull over.

"When I retired out here and got back into the business, I was just in it to make a living," Jim Akers said. "Now, I'm in it just to survive. I've got so much money tied up in it."

With prices going up, the Oklahoma business owner said he was willing to risk thousands of dollars in profits to make a statement.

"I'm going on strike for the week," he said. "Something's got to be done somewhere."

Akers said he spends more than $800 each time he fills up and that cost is trickling down to shoppers.

"Everything form us hauling it to the door, the price is added to the consumer," he said.

Akers said many other truckers wanted to join in on the strike but because they are under a contract, they couldn't.

"Maybe years down the road, we might get some relief, but ‘til then you just grab a pole, hold on and hope you don't go under," he said.

Akers said he's looking forward to being back on the road Monday, but he's not going to be happy when he has to fill up.