Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Dec. 25, 2023:
FMCSA seeks comments on meal and rest break petitions
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is requesting comments on petitions requesting waivers from the agency’s previous decisions to preempt meal and rest break (MRB) laws in California and Washington state.
Waiver petitions were filed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the Truck Safety Coalition, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways and Parents Against Tired Truckers; William B. Trescott; and the state of California.
FMCSA said it will place each petition for waiver in the “Documents” section of the appropriate docket. FMCSA seeks comments on any issues raised in the above referenced petitions for waiver or otherwise relevant. The agency also asks that commenters address whether and to what extent enforcement of MRB rules have impacted the health and safety of drivers; whether enforcement of state MRB rules will exacerbate truck parking shortages; whether a state’s MRB rules would dissuade a company from operating in the state; and whether MRB enforcement will weaken or impact the resiliency of the supply chain.
Comments can be filed at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket Nos. FMCSA-2018-0304 (California) and FMCSA-2019-0128 (Washington). Comments will be accepted for 60 days beginning Tuesday, Dec. 26.
FMCSA announced in August it was going to consider petitions for waivers from the preemptions.
On Dec. 21, 2018, FMCSA granted petitions filed by the American Trucking Associations and the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association, and determined that California’s MRB rules are preempted by federal hours of service rules. On Nov. 27, 2020, FMCSA granted a petition filed by the Washington Trucking Association, determining that Washington’s MRB rules are also preempted by federal regulations. In granting these petitions, FMCSA said it determined the states’ MRB rules are more stringent than federal regulations and that they meet the three potential criteria for preemption under U.S. code.
[Related: California files petition with FMCSA for waiver to enforce meal and rest break laws]
More UPS workers vote to join Teamsters
Workers at UPS Cartage Services Inc. (CSI) have voted to join Teamsters Local 243.
The group of office clerks work for a division of UPS that specializes in importing and exporting high volume freight.
"We chose to organize after speaking with some of our co-workers who are already Teamsters and seeing the gains they achieved in the new UPS National Master Agreement," said Jennifer Nowaske, a clerk at CSI and member of Local 243.
Office workers at other CSI locations are also organizing with the Teamsters Union, which represents hundreds of CSI dock workers, drivers, and clerks in various parts of the country, the union said.
Groendyke becomes 30th member of Trucking Cares Foundation Founders Club
The American Trucking Associations’ Trucking Cares Foundation (TCF) announced that Groendyke Transport (CCJ Top 250, No. 106) has committed to becoming the 30th member of the TCF Founders Club.
“As a family-owned company in our 91st year of operation, the Groendyke family is proud to support the American Trucking Associations' Trucking Cares Foundation as a Founders Club member,” said Greg Hodgen, president and CEO of Groendyke Transport. “The TCF does great work, which we are honored and grateful for the opportunity to help further. It’s an outstanding vehicle for giving back to an outstanding industry that has provided so much for our family and our employees throughout Groendyke’s history.”
The Founders Club is a special class of donors comprised of individuals and corporations committed to a $100,000 contribution over 10 years. Founders Club members will receive special recognition across Trucking Cares Foundation programs for their early and generous commitments to making our mission a reality.
“Because of the support of Groendyke and all of our Founders Club Members, the Trucking Cares Foundation is able to provide critical support for important causes in the U.S. and around the world,” said John Lynch, president of the Trucking Cares Foundation. “Groendyke’s contribution allows TCF to respond quickly when needs arise, as well as make ongoing contributions to important causes throughout the year.”
The Trucking Cares Foundation focuses on several core areas, including: humanitarian and disaster relief, eradicating human trafficking, leadership development, strengthening the industry’s relationships with law enforcement and military and veterans’ organizations, and safety and research opportunities.
