A.M. Executive Briefing - June 1
This Morning's Headlines:
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Illinois CDL Bribe Money Went to Political Fundraisers, Witness Says
Mary Ann Mastrodomenico, the key witness in the Illinois commercial driver license trial, testified most of the alleged bribe money she received to fix truck driver's permits went to purchasing tickets to Gov. George Ryan fundraisers, the Chicago Tribune reported today.The former manager of a driver's licensing facility also testified she faudulently passed eight employees of a Chicago trucking firm in 1997 when the company spent $3,000 on political fundraising tickets.
Georgia Quick to Ticket Overweight Trucks, Slow to Fine
A recent Georgia state audit showed the state is the toughest of all when it comes to ticketing overweight trucks, but it is much less harsh when it comes to levying and collecting fines.In 1998, the state Department of Transportation ticketed 117,705 overweight trucks -- four times nearby North Carolina's rate. However, the state's fines are among the lowest in the United States.
It was also found in the report by the state Department of Audits that Georgia does not try very hard to collect the fines imposed, letting balances pile up and accepting late payments without charging interest. This lost revenue totals hundreds of thousands of dollars and could have to pay higher maintenance costs for roads used by very heavy trucks.
ddressing this situation will be a key task recently created Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. Atlanta Journal and Constitution (06/01/00) P. 18A
Drivers for Mail-Hauling Contractor Vote to Unionize
The National Labor Relations Board reports that truckers at the North Little Rock terminal of Pat Salmon and Sons, a carrier that hauls mail under contract to the Postal Service, have elected American Postal Workers Union as their bargaining representative.The union says it has also had a good reception from the company's drivers in Albuquerque, N.M., and Jacksonville, Fla.; the postal unions have been targeting USPS contractors for unionization. Associated Press (06/01/00)
Truckers Extend Highway Blockades Down Under
Despite a delegation having met with trucking companies and employer groups on May 29, long distance truck drivers in Australia extended their blockades of major highways June 1 in protest over low cartage rates, late payments, and lack of industry regulation.The Transport Workers Union, which refused companies' requests for a four-week moratorium on blockades, has asked the federal government to pass laws enforcing a minimum cartage rate, 14-day permanent deadlines, and the licensing of loading agents. The government is expected to deal with the union's demands by June 2. The Age (06/01/00) P. 4; Carson, Andrea
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