P.M. Executive Briefing - June 12
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Lawyer for Trucking Group Sues DOT Inspector General
Anthony McMahon, a former chief counsel for the Federal Highway Administration and now working for the carrier group Truckers United for Safety, has filed a federal complaint against the Department of Transportation's Inspector General's office. He says the IG's office exceeds its legal authority by going after paperwork-related violations with armed agents and other tough enforcement tactics.McMahon's case was dismissed by federal Judge Thomas Hogan, but the judge said the IG was "precluded from performing duties and responsibilities that Congress has delegated" to the modal administrations. However, Hogan said, the 1999 Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act did give DOT IG the authority it was exercising by investigating motor carriers' compliance with safety regulations.
Todd Zinser, assistant DOT IG for investigations, says the office investigates allegations of criminal violations alongside federal prosecutors, the FBI, and state police. The DOT IG is not performing safety audits or accusing truckers of breaking carrier-related law, Zinser said.
Further, Roger Williams, a lawyer in IG Ken Mead's office, said the 1978 act does not apply because the agency only investigates complaints that a company is deliberately – and criminally – trying to evade federal safety rules. Traffic World (06/12/00) Vol. 262, No. 11; P. 13; Wilner, Frank N.
Robbers Target South Carolina Rest Stops
A South Carolina sheriff is warning truck drivers and tourists about two armed robbers who have been operating in rest areas on Interstate 95, particularly in Sumter County.Sheriff Tommy Mims of Sumter County says authorities are "on top of the situation," but he recommends that drivers lock money and valuables in their vehicles and be cautious after dark. Robberies have taken place since February, including one earlier this month in which a woman from New York was beaten with a hammer. Land Line Magazine Online (06/12/00)
No End in Sight for Teamsters Strike Against Overnite
After eight months, it appears that the Teamsters strike of Overnite Transportation is bound to continue, since both sides' positions appear to have become entrenched – with little hope, experts say, of negotiating a compromise. Union President James P. Hoffa says the fight demonstrates a need for labor-law reform, since "the current remedies are not enough to move this company," while Overnite head Leo Suggs has said the company is "fighting a battle for all business."If the Teamsters succeed in organizing Overnite, the wave could push into other segments of the trucking industry, he said. According to labor relations expert Thomas Krukowski, the $30 million the carrier has spent during the strike so far was necessary defensive spending, although Overnite employee A.C. Parker believes the company could have given employees "seven years' worth of raises" for the same price.
Krukowski and some other labor experts agree with Overnite's contention that the strike has helped make nonunion employees more loyal to the company, in part because the union has not been successful thus far. Krukowski recommended that the carrier organize the nonunion workers. He also said the company needs to "mend its fences with" the National Labor Relations Board and clear away litigation surrounding the dispute so Overnite employees will be able to petition for decertification.
Overnite spokesman Ira Rosenfeld believes the dispute will finally end when Hoffa comes up with a way to end it while still saving face. Traffic World (06/12/00) Vol. 262, No. 11; P. 20; Schulz, John D.
Truck Driver Robbed at I-80 Pullout in Wyoming
Two white men were being sought in connection with the armed robbery of a Florida trucker at a pullout along Interstate 80 east of Laramie, Wyo., Friday.According to authorities, one of the men who took over $400 from the trucker was stocky, in his 30s, with a spider tattoo on his right elbow; the other was in his 20s, thin, with short blond hair. Their vehicle is believed to be a dark blue Chevrolet Camaro, and there was a female seen in the car as well. Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune Online (06/12/00)
USPS, CNF Back in Court Over Priority Mail Service
This week will see another court date for CNF Transportation and the U.S. Postal Service, which are battling it out over the amount of money CNF should get for carrying Priority Mail for USPS; however, the Thursday date is only procedural. Although CNF contends that it is owed $1.34 a piece, the USPS has not backed down and in fact dropped the reimbursement rate in September.In spite of the dispute, which originated during the glut of shipments the USPS had to handle when the Teamsters were striking United Parcel Service, CNF has not refrained from doing business with the postal service. Traffic World (06/12/00) Vol. 262, No. 11; P. 32; Krause, Kristin S.
Compiled by Transport Topics staff and INFORMATION, INC. © 2000
