Largest driver pay raise in company history announced at Southern Refrigerated Transport

TEXARKANA, Ark. — More money, no tricks - it's the message Southern Refrigerated Transport (SRT) officials are sending drivers with the announcement of a pay increase which will result, depending on years of experience, in an up to 6-cent-per-mile increase for mileage-based drivers.

The pay increase is the greatest of its kind at SRT in more than 30 years in business, and it comes on the heels of a 1 cent-per-mile driver pay hike which rolled out Oct. 2017.

Billy Cartright, COO at SRT, said the recent pay increases reflect the company's dedication to treating its people right and to ensuring SRT is a great place to work for both current and future drivers.

"Our drivers didn't want another bonus, which you see so often throughout the industry," he said. "They wanted a pay increase they can see every week on their paycheck."

And Cartright said the good news for SRT drivers doesn't end with simply making more money. Utilization at the company is up, which means drivers can expect to make more money and move more miles in 2018.

Terri Lafayette, director of recruiting at SRT, said the pay increase is exciting, as it puts the results of drivers' hard work and many days away from home back into their own pockets.

She said combined with existing bonuses - which pay up to 12 cents-per-mile -- and recently-announced winter holiday pay, this driver pay raise also helps set SRT apart from the pack when it comes to recruiting new drivers.

"There are a lot of companies competing for drivers today," she said, "but not all of them are willing to invest in their people once they have them."

At SRT however, Lafayette feels the company has its priorities straight.

"Our drivers are the backbone of everything we do," she said. "Without them, none of the rest of us would be here. So it's fitting we show them how important they are to us, and to SRT."

The new pay raise is adjusted for factors including experience and tenure with the company, and officially goes into effect for all mileage-based SRT drivers on March 11.

To learn more about Southern Refrigerated Transport, or to apply for a driving job, visit www.southernref.com.

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About Covenant Transport Services

Covenant Transport Services is a registered tradename of Covenant Transport, Inc., Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc., Southern Refrigerated Transport, Inc. and Star Transportation, Inc. Covenant Transport Services represents more than 30 years of expertise and leadership in expedited and team truckload; temperature-controlled truckload; dedicated truckload; and managed transportation services. Covenant Transport Services is represented by a national enterprise-wide sales team. Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. (CTG) is the parent holding company for several transportation providers that offer premium services for customers throughout the United States and Mexico. The consolidated group includes operations from Covenant Transport, Inc. and Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc., of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Southern Refrigerated Transport, Inc., of Texarkana, Ark.; and Star Transportation, Inc., of Nashville, Tenn. In addition, Transport Enterprise Leasing, LLC, of Chattanooga, Tenn. is an integral affiliated company providing revenue equipment sales and leasing services to the trucking industry. CTG's Class A common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select market under the symbol, "CVTI".

More Info: http://southernref.com/