P.M. Executive Briefing - June 30
Note: In observance of the Independence Day holiday, the A.M. and P.M. briefings will not run Tuesday, July 4. Only one briefing will be run Monday, July 3. The briefings will resume their normal schedule on Wednesday.
This Morning's Headlines:
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Nissan Diesel Stock Jumps on Report of Fiat Interest
Following a story in a German newspaper that Fiat might be interested in buying ailing Japanese truckmaker Nissan Diesel, shares in the Japanese firm jumped more than 16%.
Fresco also said in the report that he was interested in acquiring the truckmaking unit of the German company MAN and might be interested in Volvo as well. However, Fresco said later that some of the report was speculative and he was not actively pursuing MAN, although a partnership with MAN would be interesting. Reuters (06/30/00)
Air Canada Talks With Pilots Head Into Weekend With No Strike Notice
The negotiations that could either avert a strike or lead to a big disruption of air freight between Canada and the United States continued into the weekend between Air Canada and its pilots union, so pilots did not issue any 72-hour notice that they may strike, the company said.Reuters reported that the pilots have pledged not to issue any strike notice until at least Sunday night, so if talks went sour they would not walk out until Wednesday at the earliest.
A strike against a major air carrier of the largest U.S. trading partner nation would not only throw large amounts of air freight onto other crowded carriers, but would cause shipment delays and shift some freight onto trucks in the already crowded highway border crossings. Transport Topics staff
Truckers' Life to get a Bit Easier at Some Ill. Toll Booths
By October and for the first time, truckers at some toll booths near Chicago can begin using toll-paying transponder devices that will help them avoid stopping at the toll plazas.The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority has started shipping nearly 100,000 of its I-PASS transponders to truckers; such units have already been used by passenger vehicles but putting them in big rigs was delayed as consultants studied safety concerns.
By year-end, certain plazas will have a dedicated truck I-PASS lane, in which drivers can slow down but avoid the extra time of stopping to use a payment card. (Arlington Heights, Ill.) Daily Herald
Judge Considers If Bankrupt NationsWay Execs Liable for Wages Unpaid to Employees
U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham heard arguments this week about whether executives of the bankrupt trucking company NationsWay are liable for wages that employees never received.Arguing that the executives are personally liable, lawyer Evan Lipstein said that prior to filing for Chapter 11, the executives had four months to make up their minds about where corporate money should go, and they decided against directing it toward employee pay.
However, James E. Scarboro, attorney for the executives named in the complaint, said there was no "strategic decision" against putting money toward wages and said that filing for bankruptcy protection means NationsWay is unable to pay the wages that were not paid. Associated Press (06/28/00)
Transportation.com Launches Website
The joint-venture Internet shipping service that includes trucking giant Yellow Corp. as a partner, Transportation.com, today said it was now launching its web site.On www.transportation.com, the Overland Park, Kan.-based operation says it offers comprehensive transport management and consulting services to help shippers arrange their freight moves. Transport Topics staff
Roadway Opens Guadalajara, Mexico, Terminal
Akron, Ohio-based Roadway Express today celebrated the opening of its new terminal in Guadalajara, Mexico, one of nine Roadway facilities now operating in that country. Bob Carr, vice president-international for Roadway, said in a company announcement that the new facility allows the company better penetration of the local commerce. Guadalajara, Roadway noted, has an active electronics industry, plus footwear, textiles, food and others.Roadway said its nine Mexico terminals is more than any other U.S.-based less-than-truckload carrier. Roadway operates eight more terminals along the U.S./Mexico border to serve Maquila-dora industries there. Transport Topics staff
Compiled by Transport Topics staff and INFORMATION, INC. © 2000
