P.M. Executive Briefing - Sept. 23
This Afternoon's Headlines:
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Abreast of the Market: USFreightways, Werner Enterprises, Yellow, CNF Transportation
USFreightways, whose stock rating was upped to "strong buy" by Morgan Stanley, saw a gain of 1.90625 to 43.875 on the Nasdaq. However, Werner Enterprises was down 2 to 17.125, Yellow fell 0.8125 to 14.5625, and CNF Transportation went down 1.625 to 40.625. Wall Street Journal (09/23/99) P. C2; O'Brien, RobertCarriers Refuse Hourly Wage at Vancouver Port
Several Vancouver port carriers sent an open letter to independent truckers saying they will not abide the Teamsters Memorandum of Agreement, which established hourly pay for the truckers as of Wednesday. The carriers say they felt they had to agree to the memorandum or they would not be able to work at the port. But Jamie Lamb of the port authority says the port's only pay mandate for trucking companies was "a fair wage." Land Line Magazine Online (09/23/99); Carlson, Donna
Driver of Truck That Hit Bridge Pays Fines
Ontario-based TTK Transport has paid the $880 in fines for the four traffic charges levied against trucker Paul McIntosh, whose overheight load knocked down an overpass on the Baltimore Beltway in June. A motorist died in the accident. A civil suit or the requirement to pay cleanup costs are both still possible. Associated Press (09/22/99)Trucker Sentenced for Drugs
Prior to receiving a drug-related two-year sentence, former Laidlaw Environmental Services trucker David Secor, 37, told a federal court that "I hardly know anyone who doesn't use" amphetamines. "You have to work 100-hour weeks," he added.Secor has been a witness for the government since last year, when he was caught in an undercover investigation into methamphetamine sales in truck stops. Laidlaw, now called Safety-Kleen Corp., fired Secor in 1996; the company's head lawyer says the firing was not drug-related.
Secor claimed that amphetamine use is common throughout the trucking industry, but added, "I'd rather encounter a driver on meth than a sleepy driver or a drunk driver."
South Carolina Trucking Association President Rick Todd says Secor is making excuses for his drug use, and pointed to an Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety survey from 1997 that found drug use, aside from alcohol, among approximately 1.3 percent of truck drivers. Another trucker says drug use, including amphetamine use, among truckers is not uncommon but is going down. Nine people were arrested in the investigation that caught Secor, and one was convicted of possession and conspiracy to distribute and could get life in prison. The State (Columbia, S.C.) (09/22/99) P. B1; Le Blanc, Clif
Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission Begins Hearings This Fall on 2001 Transportation Program
The Pennsylvania State Transportation commission has announced public hearings regarding the commission's next Twelve-Year Transportation Program. Those wishing to testify can mail or e-mail written testimony to the commission. Those wishing to give five-minute oral presentations must register and give certain information no less than one week prior to the hearing. The commission can be e-mailed at everhaj@dot.state.pa.us or contacted by telephone at (717) 787-2913.The first meeting was scheduled for today in Franklin. Subsequent meetings are: Friday in Altoona, Saturday in Williamsport, Oct. 14 in Wilkes-Barre, Oct. 15 in Fort Washington, Oct. 21 in Harrisburg, and Oct. 28 and 29 in Pittsburgh. PR Newswire (09/22/99)
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