August 17, 2000 1:45 PM, EDT

Trucking Technology Report - Aug. 17

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Unions Threaten to Leave Verizon Talks

Supply Chain Firm Tradiant Bags $21 Million in Funding

NTEA Mounts Campaign to Educate Members on the Net's Business Uses

Unions Threaten to Leave Verizon Talks

Verizon Communications' striking unions warned Wednesday that they would withdraw from negotiations if an agreement could not

e reached with the company by midnight tonight. As a result, negotiations between the two sides would be postponed for an undetermined length of time.

Union officials said they were disappointed about how the talks have proceeded. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers spokesman Jim Spellane said his group will abandon talks if it fails to make substantial progress toward a deal tonight.

Communications Workers of America spokesman Jeff Miller said disappointment is growing over the progress of negotiations. The CWA's northern negotiating team, one of two involved in the talks, is the only one that verified having joined the IBEW in threatening a walk out on negotiations. However, the union's two negotiating teams typically work together.

Verizon officials said they had yet to get formal word that the unions would suspend negotiations. Washington Post (08/17/00) P. E3; Schafer, Sarah

Supply Chain Firm Tradiant Bags $21 Million in Funding

Tradiant transportation and supply chain company has raised $21 million in its third round of funding. Investors like Itochu Corp., BEA Systems, and Megunticook Fund helped provide money to expand Tradiant's sales and marketing efforts, and increase E-commerce solutions provided through its Trans-Commerce software. Journal of Commerce Online (08/15/00)

NTEA Mounts Campaign to Educate Members on the Net's Business Uses

The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) is attempting to educate its members on how they can use the Internet to take their businesses to the next level.

An NTEA survey has found that out of 873 distributors, only 31% have websites, while only 41% use email as a business tool. Though manufacturers tend to use the Internet a bit more ? 66% have websites while 64% use email as a business tool ? they are also far behind other industries in that respect.

To combat this situation, the NTEA has established a business-to-business Website called WorkTrucks.com that is dedicated to the $47 billion commercial transportation and truck industry. The items to be found on the Website include: message boards and chat areas; an online auction system; free Web-based email accounts; a 10-year library of NTEA articles and publications, as well as the government's latest legislative and regulatory activity; and forecasting, market data, and research designed to assist companies reach more informed decisions and ultimately increase profitability. Trailer Body Builders (07/00) Vol. 41, No. 9, P. 68; Weber, Rick

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