A.M. Executive Briefing - Feb. 17
This Morning's Headlines:
ul>
Miami-Area Truckers Strike Continues
Although south Florida independent truckers and shipping companies reached a deal on a 10% fuel surcharge during Wednesday negotiations in Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas' offices, the truckers remain on strike because of an insurance issue. The drivers do not want to continue to be required to purchase insurance from their trucking companies; they say their premiums have gone up to roughly $150 a week.Penelas is still concerned that the strike could hurt the port, which is trying to determine how many ships have been diverted from Miami's port. Port Director Charles Towsley's annual "State of the Port" speech is set for Thursday.
Monti Defends Demands to Volvo on Scania
The European Commission said Wednesday the concessions Volvo already said it would make in order to win approval for its planned acquisition of fellow Swedish truck manufacturer Scania are insufficient. Monday is the deadline for additional concessions.Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson met with competition commissioner Mario Monti on the issue, saying an unconditional merger is necessary to give the company a global presence and that the EC is unfair to big companies from small countries.
A spokesman for Monti said the commission is not discriminating, that Volvo and Scania have succeeded because of competition and that they do over 80% of business outside Scandinavia, and that Volvo "is already the second biggest truck producer." Financial Times (02/17/00) P. 36; Brown-Humes, Christopher; Smith, Mike
Wolf Presses for Results in Search for FMCSA Chief
At a hearing on the Transportation Department's budget Tuesday, Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) told Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater his department needs to move faster to find a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration chief.Wolf said the new chief should be from "outside the box" with new ideas and not "beholden to the industry." Slater said the department wants someone with Capitol Hill savvy and practical experience and that acting assistant administrator Julie Cirillo provides leadership currently.
He also responded to a question from other Transportation Appropriations Committee members by saying the Mexican border will not be opened to trucks until there are satisfactory safety procedures there. Heavy Duty Trucking Online (02/17/00) ; Patton, Oliver B.
Thruway Authority Steps Away From Toll Hike
Responding to pressure from state legislative leaders and trucking and business interests, the New York State Thruway Authority will look for alternatives to its planned toll increase.Thruway Board Chairman Lou Tomson on Tuesday asked for alternatives from the legislature that will maintain safety and efficiency on the Thruway. Republicans Tuesday advocated putting the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation in charge of the barge canal system, taking that responsibility away from the Thruway Authority. Associated Press (02/16/00); Stashenko, Joel
Truckers Seek Short-Term Fuel Tax Break
A bill in the Maine state legislature would suspend the state diesel tax for one month and give Gov. Angus King authority to continue the suspension an added 15 days if per-gallon prices remain above $1.50. While the House and Senate heard the bill Tuesday, about two dozen truck drivers rallied outside.Rep. Tom Winsor (R-Norway), sponsor of the bill, would earmark funds from a state budget surplus to compensate for the reduced tax revenue. The bill was referred to the Transportation and Appropriations committees; a joint hearing of those committees is expected in the coming weeks.
Benton-based Place to Place Transportation is coping with the fuel-price crisis by keeping long-haul drivers out of the Northeast for up to 20 days longer than usual. Bangor Daily News (02/16/00); Laberge, Mike
Hijackers Seize 18-Wheeler on Route 80
A truck driver from Arizona was pistol-whipped, duct-taped, and held at gunpoint in the back of his cab by hijackers after he stopped at a Route 80 truck stop in Bartonsville, Pa., Monday night.The hijackers eventually left the tractor, with the trucker still inside, at a Ridgefield, N.J., motel, driving away with the trailer full of clothing he picked up in North Bergen, N.J. Local and state police and the FBI were seeking the trailer Tuesday.
Such hijackings are uncommon nowadays, according to investigators; cargo thieves are often involved with gangs, getting jobs in trucking and informing other gang members where a trailer will be left so the trailer can be stolen when no one is there. Bergen (N.J.) Record (02/16/00) P. L3; McGraw, Seamus
Cerno Research Announces Compensation Trucking Study Results
Cerno Research, in partnership with the Ontario Trucking Association, has produced the Year 2000 Trucking Operations Compensation and Benefits Report regarding compensation in the Canadian trucking industry.It projects that hourly employees will see pay up 3.5% and salaried employees will see pay up 3.7% this year, after pay for those groups went up 4% and 3.7%, respectively, last year.
The turnover rate in Canada's transportation industry exceeded 10% in 1999, almost 50% higher than in the rest of Canadian industry. Canadian Corporate Newswire (02/16/00)
© copyright 2000 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
