March 3, 2000 9:44 AM, EST

P.M. Executive Briefing - Mar. 3

Editor's Note: Transport Topics Online is proud to offer Executive Briefing - a quick read on the day's trucking news. These summaries are produced by Information, Inc., which scours over 1,200 publications - from local newspapers to trade publications - and summarizes what they dig up. The result is the most complete trucking coverage anywhere. And only TT Online has it!

This Afternoon's Headlines:

ul>

Ontario Trucking Association Asks Truckers Not to Convoy

AWG and Union Don't Appear to Be Close to Agreement

Ex-Tiger Adds Trucking Company to His Lineup

Briefs: Con-Way Central Express

Ontario Trucking Association Asks Truckers Not to Convoy

While the Ontario Trucking Association and National Truckers Association attempt to solve fuel-price concerns, they requested that Canadian independents call off convoys and blockades as the two groups try to work with the system.

The two groups want to set up a meeting with petroleum companies and the Canadian Trucking Alliance regarding lower prices, and officials in the provincial government pledged meetings between the truckers and federal officials, petroleum firms, and shippers.

Separately, a protest alongside Highway 69 near Sudbury, Ontario, that began Feb. 21 with 20 trucks parked on the shoulder, was continuing with about 10 truckers left and, thanks to local support, in good spirits. Politicians and Steelworkers union representatives have visited the protest, which for some time on Saturday involved some 150 trucks; the truckers in the protest hold signs asking other trucks to park with them at least for short periods. National Post (03/03/00) P. E2

AWG and Union Don't Appear to Be Close to Agreement

Little progress was achieved in negotiations Wednesday and Thursday between Teamsters locals and Associated Wholesale Grocers, which may outsource trucking and warehousing operations in Kansas City and Springfield, Mo. Such a move, which the negotiations are intended to avoid, would affect 1,200 unionized jobs, and AWG truckers would have to become owner-operators to work for the new trucking companies.

There will be a question and answer session March 10 and further negotiations starting in two weeks; the deadline for a new contract is April 1. MSNBC Online (03/03/00); Davies, Tristan

Ex-Tiger Adds Trucking Company to His Lineup

Now that Romulus, Mich.-based Betz Trucking has been certified as minority-owned, majority shareholder and Chairman Cecil Fielder is shopping for a house in Detroit and taking responsibility for marketing and new business development.

Fielder, a onetime member of the Detroit Tigers, purchased his 51% stake in the company in August, four months after Ford Motor approved Betz as a carrier.

While revenue increased close to 100% between 1998 and 1999, costs jumped just as much – but founder and President Jim Betz did not want to turn down any business from Ford because he wanted the company to grow. Seeking money, former Yellow Freight driver Betz met Fielder, who was looking for companies to invest in, through Betz Trucking CFO Michael McClear, who was taking care of both men's finances.

The minority certification will help the 43-truck, 80-trailer company get more business, although CSM Worldwide chief economist Dave Andrea said the most important thing remains delivery quality and that being well-financed is necessary as well. Crain's Detroit Business (03/05/00) Vol. 16, No. 9; P. 1; Kosdrosky, Terry

Briefs: Con-Way Central Express

A new Con-Way Central Express service center in Ypsilanti, Mich., made its debut on five acres near U.S. Route 12. Crain's Detroit Business (03/05/00) Vol. 16, No. 9