Post by HardTimeTrucker on Jul 22, 2009 18:04:20 GMT -5
Trucking Headlines
Oakland port mulls fed exemption
By Jill Dunn
Port of Oakland commissioners were expected to vote today, July 21, on a resolution asking for federal exemptions it says would level the playing field for West Coast ports.
The California port’s board adopted a clean truck program June 16, but more on this progressive ban of older trucks will not be presented until fall. Los Angeles and Long Beach recently have started similar programs.
Also, in 2007 and 2008, California approved comparable plans and has said ports may set their own standards if emissions rules are equal or stricter than state regulations.
Oakland’s plan does not favor employee drivers over owner-operators of trucks, said Oakland spokeswoman Marilyn Sandifur.
In April, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction regarding issues disputed by the American Trucking Associations over the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports truck concessionaire programs, with a trial date set for Dec. 15.
ATA had fought requirements that include hiring preference, health insurance requirements and Los Angeles’ rule that drivers must be employees.
On June 16, the Federal Maritime Commission withdrew its request for an injunction to the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports plan over similar issues that it said conflicted with the Shipping Act of 1984. The FMC said the ATA ruling rendered its request moot.
Oakland’s proposed resolution noted that West Coast port representatives recently had lobbied Congress and federal administrators “to create a National Goods Movement Policy that supports West Coast ports.”
The Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act prohibits any regulation related to the "price, route or service of any motor carrier.” Any exception must be "genuinely responsive to safety concerns."
The proposed resolution asks Congress to amend its upcoming long-term transportation funding bill to expand FAAA exemptions to include “environmental, security and congestion programs” and focus investment in West Coast ports.
In March, California Congressional representatives wrote Oakland’s port director supporting an employment-based drayage system and last month, state congressional representatives contacted the House transportation committee over the FAAA’s role in the goods movement system.
Port officials support the proposed resolution with the findings from Beacon Economics, commissioned to analyze the situation. Beacon found that:
• Most are owner-operators and don’t want to be employee drivers.
• Owner-operator and employee driver earnings are comparable and significantly higher than non-drayage truckers.
• Regulatory compliance, combined with employee driver requirements, would raise drayage rates an average of 40 percent.
• Regulatory compliance costs should be borne by the supply chain; subsidies and container fees distort market choices.
However, Beacon strongly suggests a model more heavily reliant on employee drivers.
Clayton Boyce, an ATA vice president, said the association supports Long Beach’s and Los Angeles’ program, including the older truck ban and drayage registry. It opposed the ports’ concession plans, especially Los Angeles’ efforts to bar owner-operators.
Oakland port mulls fed exemption
By Jill Dunn
Port of Oakland commissioners were expected to vote today, July 21, on a resolution asking for federal exemptions it says would level the playing field for West Coast ports.
The California port’s board adopted a clean truck program June 16, but more on this progressive ban of older trucks will not be presented until fall. Los Angeles and Long Beach recently have started similar programs.
Also, in 2007 and 2008, California approved comparable plans and has said ports may set their own standards if emissions rules are equal or stricter than state regulations.
Oakland’s plan does not favor employee drivers over owner-operators of trucks, said Oakland spokeswoman Marilyn Sandifur.
In April, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction regarding issues disputed by the American Trucking Associations over the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports truck concessionaire programs, with a trial date set for Dec. 15.
ATA had fought requirements that include hiring preference, health insurance requirements and Los Angeles’ rule that drivers must be employees.
On June 16, the Federal Maritime Commission withdrew its request for an injunction to the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports plan over similar issues that it said conflicted with the Shipping Act of 1984. The FMC said the ATA ruling rendered its request moot.
Oakland’s proposed resolution noted that West Coast port representatives recently had lobbied Congress and federal administrators “to create a National Goods Movement Policy that supports West Coast ports.”
The Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act prohibits any regulation related to the "price, route or service of any motor carrier.” Any exception must be "genuinely responsive to safety concerns."
The proposed resolution asks Congress to amend its upcoming long-term transportation funding bill to expand FAAA exemptions to include “environmental, security and congestion programs” and focus investment in West Coast ports.
In March, California Congressional representatives wrote Oakland’s port director supporting an employment-based drayage system and last month, state congressional representatives contacted the House transportation committee over the FAAA’s role in the goods movement system.
Port officials support the proposed resolution with the findings from Beacon Economics, commissioned to analyze the situation. Beacon found that:
• Most are owner-operators and don’t want to be employee drivers.
• Owner-operator and employee driver earnings are comparable and significantly higher than non-drayage truckers.
• Regulatory compliance, combined with employee driver requirements, would raise drayage rates an average of 40 percent.
• Regulatory compliance costs should be borne by the supply chain; subsidies and container fees distort market choices.
However, Beacon strongly suggests a model more heavily reliant on employee drivers.
Clayton Boyce, an ATA vice president, said the association supports Long Beach’s and Los Angeles’ program, including the older truck ban and drayage registry. It opposed the ports’ concession plans, especially Los Angeles’ efforts to bar owner-operators.