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Wildfires not affecting freight volumes: FTR

LOS ANGELES, CA - While some of the wild weather of 2017 had a dramatic impact on freight movements in parts of the United States, the Thomas wildfires moving through California isn't having an impact, according to analysts at FTR Intelligence. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma affected movements in the Gulf Region of the southern U.S. during the fall, but FTR says the current fire, which has destroyed more than 270,000 acres of land triggering the evacuations of thousands, has not disrupted freight so far.

Mulroney talks trade, leadership at OTA

TORONTO, ON - Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney brought a message about the importance of leadership and free trade to fleet executives in Toronto today, at a time when the trade agreements he championed are being challenged and renegotiated. In a speech to the Ontario Trucking Association's annual meeting, Mulroney referred to NAFTA discussions as "the most important international negotiations in modern history" for Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. And he drew on a series of statistics to prove his point about the value of trade. "The statistics alone speak to the success of the (Canada-U.S.) Free Trade Agreement," he said, noting how trade between the countries has tripled since 1989. "With less than 7% of the world's population, NAFTA produces 29% of the world's wealth." While U.S. President Donald Trump has referred to NAFTA as a terrible deal, Mulroney stressed that our southern neighbors have "done extremely well", referring to the U.S. unemployment rate of 4.1% as an example.

OOIDA wants ELD exemption for small businesses

GRAIN VALLEY, MO - With less than a month before the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate comes into effect in the United States the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has submitted an exemption request for small business carriers. OOIDA has requested at least a five-year exemption for motor carriers classified as small businesses according to the Small Business Administration in the Untied States, and with no attributable at-fault crashes or a Carrier Safety Rating of Unsatisfactory. Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the OOIDA says small-business truckers who have proven their ability to operate safely shouldn't be subjected to the regulation, citing cost as a barrier to obtaining the devices. Spencer also cited self-certification by vendors of the devices as one of the biggest issues brought up by the group, calling the devices unproven and uncertified. "Most small-business motor carriers can ill afford to make these purchases only to learn later that the ELD is non-compliant. Yet they are required to do so or risk violation," said Spencer.

Livestock haulers to get a 90-day ELD waiver

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is giving carriers who haul livestock a break when it comes to Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). Regulations come into effect on Dec. 18 making the devices mandatory for carriers in the United States, however the government agency announced it will give a 90-waiver to the agricultural industry, in addition to other efforts to make the transition for fleets easier. The 90-day waiver on the devices will allow agricultural carriers to continue to use paper logging until March 18, 2018 to allow time for the exemption request filed on behalf of the industry to be evaluated, as well as allowing for more input from that segment of the industry. Other efforts have already been announced to help make it easier for fleets to make the move to ELDs, and a significant number of carrier may need the transition period.

ELD violations won’t mean CSA points

TORONTO, ON - Carriers that operate across the border don't have to fear for their Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) scores if they are not compliant with the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate before the Dec. 18 deadline. Federal Officials in the United States are confirming that drivers who are cited roadside for non-compliance before April 1, 2018 will be issued a "no points cite" which won't affect the driver or carrier in the CSA system, reports Heavy Duty Trucking.

Teamsters back proposed regs for port drivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Teamsters are standing behind two bills introduced this week in the United States designed to make jobs safer and more equitable for drivers working in major U.S. Ports. The bills, called the Clean Ports Act of 2017 and the Port Drivers' Bill of Rights, are being introduced by representatives Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) after a USA Today report in June found clean air regulations banning older model vehicles for drivers working in ports were creating an environment of indentured servitude for drivers. Drivers were being forced to sign what the bills call exploitive truck lease or rental agreements.
Analysts: Participating in politics is crucial preview image Analysts: Participating in politics is crucial article image

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.

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