Post by eatmydust on Sept 3, 2008 7:32:47 GMT -5
Logistics World
09-01-08
Retailers seek to join ATA suit against ports
The National Retail Federation has asked a federal court for permission to join the American Trucking Associations in a lawsuit that seeks to prevent the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach from requiring operating licenses for harbor truckers.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on the ATA's request for a temporary injunction against the ports' concession plans. The trucking association contends that the ports' plans are an illegal attempt to impose local restrictions on international commerce.
The ports' concession agreements are part of a clean-trucks plan designed to reduce air pollution. Both ports would require trucking companies to obtain operating licenses. The Los Angeles plan also would require trucking companies to hire employee drivers instead of owner-operators, a goal of the Teamsters union.
In a brief filed with the court, the National Retail Federation echoed the ATA's arguments and said, "It is beyond dispute that the concession plans will significantly drive up the costs for moving containers of goods into and out of the ports."
The NRF said that the LA-Long Beach proposals are likely to be copied by other ports, and that "these significant costs are coming at a time when many parts of the retailing industry are ill-equipped to bear them."
Separately from its lawsuit, the ATA has asked the Federal Maritime Commission to request more information about the ports' plans, and to use the commission's statutory authority to review the plans' legality.
09-01-08
Retailers seek to join ATA suit against ports
The National Retail Federation has asked a federal court for permission to join the American Trucking Associations in a lawsuit that seeks to prevent the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach from requiring operating licenses for harbor truckers.
A hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on the ATA's request for a temporary injunction against the ports' concession plans. The trucking association contends that the ports' plans are an illegal attempt to impose local restrictions on international commerce.
The ports' concession agreements are part of a clean-trucks plan designed to reduce air pollution. Both ports would require trucking companies to obtain operating licenses. The Los Angeles plan also would require trucking companies to hire employee drivers instead of owner-operators, a goal of the Teamsters union.
In a brief filed with the court, the National Retail Federation echoed the ATA's arguments and said, "It is beyond dispute that the concession plans will significantly drive up the costs for moving containers of goods into and out of the ports."
The NRF said that the LA-Long Beach proposals are likely to be copied by other ports, and that "these significant costs are coming at a time when many parts of the retailing industry are ill-equipped to bear them."
Separately from its lawsuit, the ATA has asked the Federal Maritime Commission to request more information about the ports' plans, and to use the commission's statutory authority to review the plans' legality.