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OTA calling for zero-tolerance on substance use
THUNDER BAY, ON - The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is calling on the government stand behind fleets who use drug and alcohol testing on their drivers. In an interview with the CBC yesterday, OTA president Stephen Laskowski said the association will be lobbying the government for a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol for commercial vehicle drivers.
J.B. Hunt, driver to pay US$15.5 million in damages
PHILADELPHIA, PA - A Tennessee truck driver and J.B. Hunt Transport have been found negligent to the tune of more than US$15.5 million in a 2013 collision with a pedestrian. After a three-week trail a jury awarded the damages to Isaac Espinoza who was hit by Ricky L. Hatfield, an independent contractor performing work for broker J.B. Hunt, while he was helping a friend change a tire on the shoulder of I-81 north.
Hyliion is turning diesel engines into hybrids
PITTSBURGH, PA - Hyliion is adding a spark to Class 8 engines. The vehicle hybridizing company launched its second product this week, promising to save fleets up to a combined 30% in fuel costs by electrifying traditional Class 8 tractors. The company's new 6X4HE system can be installed on new trucks or retrofitted on older models to create an electric subsidized Class 8 truck. Hyliion says the system is easily attached to the truck frame, and is self-contained.
Analysts: Participating in politics is crucial
MISSISSAUGA, ON - Engagement in the political process at a grassroots level is key to making headway on industry issues, experts are saying. This morning panelists at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) breakfast meeting titled "Bridging Border Barriers" said fleets and drivers aren't engaged enough in lobbying efforts at home and in the United States. With the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on everyone's minds, the industry analysts said now more than ever engagement from the bottom up is crucial to having a say in the issues that will shape the future of trucking. President of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), David Bradley, said keeping members engaged, is a constant challenge faced by trade associations on both sides of the border. "I think at some point the carriers will become engaged, but I don't think we're engaged enough," he said. "If everybody does one thing, once a year, that helps." Bradley says it's not always enough to send executives and lobbyists to speak with legislators, because they don't own and drive the trucks. The stories need to be told by those on the road.
Teamsters applaud NAFTA progress; talks extended
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Policy teams representing the Teamsters Union from the United States and Canada on hand during the fourth round of NAFTA renegotiations this week are applauding the decision to fix the NAFTA cross-border trucking provision. The priorities of the union representing 1.4 million workers in North America, included highway safety, dairy supply management, and worker rights. Also on the table during this round were key discussions regarding the auto sector and manufacturing, and trade disputes. Teamsters general president Jim Hoffa said independent truckers and highway safety advocates will be pleased with the U.S. position on cross-border services. "The [United States Trade Representative's] approach is a creative solution to this long-standing controversy," he said. "I am satisfied that the U.S. position will permit Congress and the Dept. of Transportation to safeguard the livelihoods of American truck drivers and the personal safety of American families on U.S. highways under NAFTA 2.0." Teamsters Canada President François Laporte said Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chrystia Freeland, and Canadian negotiators have a progressive, pro-worker approach to the talks.
Bendix adds lines, jobs to Indiana facility
HUNTINGTON, IN - Bendix Commercial Vehicle systems is growing, announcing today that it will expand its Indiana manufacturing plant. The brake company is adding to its manufacturing capabilities and capacity with a USD $3.8 million capital investment in equipment to launch two new production lines. The lines, for making a portion of the company's vibration damper products, will be installed in existing space at the company's module center.
CTA calls for more tax incentives to go green
OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is urging the government to change how it looks at applying green initiatives to the trucking industry in its 2018 pre-budget paper submitted this week. The CTA says there are administrative and competitive challenges with how the Government of Canada has modeled its carbon pricing system, and that the government should be removing barriers for fleets that want to invest in greener technology. Its annual submission for the federal government's pre-budget consultations also prioritizes support and investments for on-going industry issues related to taxes, cross-border trade, and highway infrastructure, the group said in a release today.
ATA standing with Trump on health insurance reform
ARLINGTON, VA - The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is standing behind President Trump's latest healthcare initiative. Last week the group issued a statement saying it was in support of the executive order Trump signed allowing individuals to purchase health insurance through association health plans.
BC asking drivers to Be Truck Aware
VICTORIA, BC - With one-in-five traffic fatalities in BC involving large commercial vehicles, road safety insiders are calling for drivers to be more careful around trucks. The Be Truck Aware campaign was launched in time for Operation Safe Driver week, when officers across North America will be ticketing drivers for failing to share the road and follow safe driving practices.