A.M. Executive Briefing - April 27
This Morning's Headlines:
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Big Rigs Must Keep to Right Lane, 65 Mph
Truckers questioned the safety implications of new Arizona rules for rural interstates, set to take effect July 18, imposing a 65 mph speed limit on trucks and requiring them to stay in the right lane.The state Department of Transportation also acknowledged that the potential safety effect is uncertain, and a spokesman said a study will be needed on "ultimately the whole interstate system."
Meanwhile, State Sen. Keith Bee, whose family owns a Tucson bus company, said the effect of the new rule should be studied prior to the date it takes effect. Arizona Daily Star (Tucson) Online (04/27/00); McDivitt, Anita
Cabover Comeback Predicted for Truckers
Cabover tractors are becoming more popular in North America because they are easier to maneuver in cities, according to medium-duty truck dealers, and a Freightliner dealer in Alberta says that company expects Class 8 cabover sales to grow due to specialty uses. Other reasons cited include fuel efficiency and the reduced length of the tractor, which allows companies to pull longer trailers or use sleeper units without going over the limits on total vehicle length.Although some truckers worry that they are more in danger during a crash in a cabover because the design puts them closer to the point of impact, Greg Tilley, general manager at a Hino dealership, says the tractor's height ensures crash safety and increases visibility.
Truckers also complain about discomfort caused by engine tunnels as well as the difficulty of getting into the truck due to the height; responding to the latter point, Freightliner has outfitted its Argosy cabovers with steps that come out of the tractor when the door is opened. Edmonton Sun (04/27/00) P. S3; Evans, Colin
Connecticut River Bridge Toll Between Springfield, Vt. and Charlestown, N.H. Is Abolished
New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen has signed a bill that eliminates the $1.80 truck toll and 35-cent car toll on the Cheshire Bridge, which is the only link between New Hampshire and Vermont on the Connecticut River.Opponents of the bridge toll, to be abolished July 1, said it has hurt trucking-related businesses and other companies as well as people who live nearby. While transportation officials in New Hampshire wanted the toll to remain, in order to pay for the state's 1991 purchase of the bridge from a railroad firm, opponents of the toll said highway funds should be used to cover the purchase. Associated Press (04/27/00)
Talks on Sale of Samsung's Commercial Vehicle Unit to Halt
The sale of Renault VI to Volvo spells the end of both companies' discussions on purchasing the commercial-vehicles division of Samsung Motors, sources say.Volvo Truck Korea sources say Volvo chose not to accept an overture it received from Samsung in October, and Samsung sources say the fact that Renault has sold its truck unit shows it would not be interested in buying the Samsung unit.
Samsung's efforts to sell the unit to other foreign manufacturers has also met with no success; while the Korean firm is determined to sell, it appears it will have to retain the division for now, sources say. Asia Pulse (04/27/00)
Truckers Can't Sue for Restroom Surveillance
The federal Appeals Court for the 9th Circuit ruled 2-1 Wednesday that Consolidated Freightways employees are not allowed to sue the company for putting microphones and cameras in a restroom, even though the company's activity may be illegal under California law.Under federal law, union employees cannot file lawsuits seeking damages when the issue necessitates interpretation of union contracts. The court's ruling said the contract may restrict their privacy protections, so the drivers would have to enter complaints under the contract instead of suing.
In his dissent, Judge Raymond Fisher said CF's conduct clearly violated state law and, as such, it does not require contract interpretation; he also opined that employees' ability to sue employers for illegal activities cannot be proscribed by a union contract.
CF engaged in the restroom surveillance at a California terminal in an effort to discover whether employees were using drugs. Associated Press (04/26/00); Egelko, Bob
Mayor, Residents Discuss FedEx
High Point, N.C., Mayor Arnold Koonce met informally Tuesday with residents opposing FedEx's plan to establish a cargo hub at nearby Piedmont Triad International Airport.All members of the High Point City Council, aside from council member Chris Whitley, support the FedEx proposal; while the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority will decide whether to allow FedEx to put its hub there, the city council gets to appoint one airport authority member.
High Point's seat on the airport panel is currently up for reappointment, and incumbent Nido Qubein, a FedEx backer, is opposed by furniture-plant executive Linda Simmons Mansfield, who finds the FedEx proposal questionable.
The three resident representatives at the meeting said the city council should pay a visit to the Indianapolis FedEx cargo hub, where all city council members other than Whitley were scheduled to go last week until the visit was canceled by FedEx.
While a FedEx spokesman said the cancellation was due to schedule conflicts for FedEx executives, a North Carolina supporter of the FedEx proposal said the trip was actually called off because FedEx had not expected that opposing residents would be coming along. Residents could have been allowed to come along due to the open-meetings law in North Carolina. Greensboro News & Record (04/26/00) P. B1; Muschick, Paul
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