A.M. Executive Briefing - Oct. 6
This Morning's Headlines:
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DaimlerChrysler Reaches Contract
A tentative agreement was reached Tuesday night between the Canadian Auto Workers and DaimlerChrylser Canada with roughly 2.5 hours to go before the strike deadline set at midnight. The chief hurdle in the negotiations was CAW's desire for the automaker to put pressure on Magna International, a supplier, to recognize a union at one of its plants. Another of the union's wants was more money for a Windsor, Ontario, truck plant. Canadian Press (10/06/99)Lawmakers Propose Bills to Create Safety Bureau for Trucks
The amount of points for moving violations given by New Jersey to truckers would be multiplied by two and a Truck Safety bureau would be added to the state police if a bill proposed in the state assembly Tuesday passes. Revenue for the new police bureau would be raised with a $50 fee increase for the 10-year CDL. The bill has been backed by New Jersey Motor Truck Association executive director Sam Cunninghame. New Jersey Online (10/05/99)
Feds Expand Drivers License Probe to Third State Facility
The Illinois bribes-for-CDLs investigation grew Tuesday as federal prosecutors revealed charges against Alex Mcleczynsky, 43, of Wheeling. Prosecutors accuse Mcleczynsky, a driving instructor, of bribery at the licensing site in Elk Grove Village, the first time the investigation has turned from the twolicensing sites at McCook and Melrose Park.Prosecutors say two employees, not identified by name, accepted the bribes in exchange for passing marks on road exams. There will likely be charges against the two employees as well, says U.S. Attorney Scott Lassar.
The Daily Herald in Arlington Heights quoted Secretary of State Jesse White as saying the prosecutors are "hunting up the food chain" toward Gov. George Ryan, who was secretary of state when the McCook and Melrose Park bribes took place. Dave Urbanek, a spokesman for Ryan, says, "[t]hat's something that hasn't been shared with us and we'll have to wait and see." Lassar said the secretary of state's office is involved in the investigation, but he did not comment on what White told the Daily Herald.
Prosecutors also did not say why it has not been alleged that any of the claimed Elk Grove bribes went toward political fundraisers, as has been alleged regarding the other two sites. The prosecutors also say Mcleczynsky had once planned to send two people whose English abilities were limited to be tested in Florida. Associated Press (10/05/99) ; Robinson, Mike
Truckers To Be Stopped on I-68 Near Morgantown
While it will be a year before a new weigh station on I-68 between the exits for Coopers Rock and Cheat Lake in West Virginia goes into operation, in the next two months there will be signs telling truckers heading west to pull into the station, says State Highways Commissioner Sam Beverage. This is due to the many accidents seen on the grade there; according to data cited by Beverage in a letter to a state legislator, 85 percent of large vehicles going downhill there are doing 62 mph to 64 mph despite the 50 mph limit. State police are to step up enforcement of this limit along the four-mile stretch. Associated Press (10/05/99)OTR Express Announces Expectations for the 3rd Quarter
OTR Express says it anticipates a third-quarter per-share net loss between 14 cents and 17 cents; the year-earlier quarter saw per-share net income of 15 cents. The third quarter ended Sept. 30. "Our third-quarter results were hurt by higher diesel prices, truck staffing, and a rise in maintenance expenses," says company President and CEO Gary J. Klusman, who noted thehortfall of truckers across the country. Klusman added that OTRX has made several steps to improve trucker hiring and retention and imposed a fuel surcharge on Aug. 20. OTRX also increased rates Sept. 20. Business Wire (10/05/99)
BAX Global Announces New President for U.S. and Canada
BAX Global has named Joey Carnes president of BAX U.S. and Canada. A licensed Customs House Broker, Carnes is a 12-year veteran of Fritz Companies, where among his duties was managing customs clearance for FedEx. Before that, he had worked for the importer-exporter Jennings Co. and for the U.S. Customs Service. PR Newswire (10/05/99)© copyright 1999 INFORMATION, INC. Terms of Service
