News Briefs - June 21
The Latest Headlines:
- UPS, IPA Say They Will Seek Mediation
- Mystic Tank Lines Closes New England Operations
- Goodyear's 1Q Loss Narrows
- Ariz. Trucking President: Mexican Trucks Won't Create Safety Threat
- Western Star Adds Eight New Dealers
- Mystic Tank Lines Closes New England Operations
UPS, IPA Say They Will Seek Mediation
UPS Inc. and the Independent Pilots Association said Monday they had not yet reached a new agreement and they "believe the next logical step in reaching an agreement is to jointly request the mediation services of the National Mediation Board."IPA represents about 2,500 pilots who fly for UPS. Among the areas being discussed are scheduling, compensation, pension, scope and benefits, the companies said in a joint statement.
The statement also said that in 1991 and 1998, UPS and IPA reached agreements for new contracts during mediation supervised by the NMB.
Mystic Tank Lines Closes New England Operations
Mystic Tank Lines, a transporter of gasoline and cement based in Astoria, N.Y., said it had closed its operations in New England and would concentrate on its core business in New York and New Jersey, news services reported.President Lenny Baldari said unprofitable margins forced the company to take this action and it would strengthen its financial picture as well as redistribute newer equipment in our fleet, the Associated Press reported.
The company, which filed for bankruptcy protection on June 1, said the 54 affected drivers and mechanics were being offered jobs elsewhere within the Mystic system. Transport Topics
Goodyear's 1Q Loss Narrows
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. reported a net loss for the first quarter of $76.9 million or 44 cents per share, compared with a net loss of $196.5 million or $1.12 a year earlier.Sales rose 21% to $4.3 billion, Goodyear said in a statement. Tire unit volume was 55.7 million units, up from 52.6 million units in the first quarter of 2003.
Goodyear said six of its business units, including North American Tire, reported a higher operating income. Transport Topics
Ariz. Trucking President: Mexican Trucks Won't Create Safety Threat
Karen Rasmussen, president of the Arizona Trucking Association, said that giving Mexican truckers access to American highways will not be the safety and environmental threat some predict, the Tuscon Citizen reported.Rasmussen said Mexican trucks would have to adhere to U.S. environmental and safety requirements and that will prevent some trucks from traveling into the United States.
In addition, she said Mexican truckers will have to be insured by a U.S. insurance company and most U.S. companies will insure a Mexican driver unless he has experience driving for a U.S. carrier before, the article said. Transport Topics
Western Star Adds Eight New Dealers
Western Star Trucks said that in an effort to enhance customer service, it will expand its network by adding eight new locations.estern, of Willoughby, Ohio, produces heavy-duty custom trucks for long-haul and vocational applications.
The locations, which will offer sales, parts and service, are essential to Western’s goal of delivering and supporting premium, custom trucks for long-haul and vocational applications, the company said.
The company said the latest additions to its network are: Western Star of Southern Alabama Inc., Tallahassee, Fla.; Boyer Truck Sales, Lauderdale, Minn.; Agar Truck Sales Inc., Yonkers, N.Y.; Fyda Pittsburgh Inc., Canonsburg, Pa.; Greenville Truck Center, Greenville, S.C.; Dunlop Western Star Truck Centre Ltd., Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Universal Sales Ltd., Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada; and Western Star of Vancouver Inc., Surrey, British Columbia.
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