We were inspired by Truckinginfo, which came up with a list of the Top 10 trucking stories of the year. Since Truckinginfo takes a management point of view, we decided to come up with our own list, borrowing from the publication.
We'll post this on the Teamsters Facebook page and read the responses. Depending on what our readers tell us, we may just come up with a revised list.
You can read Truckinginfo's choices here, here, here and here.
And here we go:
10. The highway bill: Congress continues current levels of spending on the transportation infrastructure and requires EOBRs on trucks.
9. FMCSA cracks down: The agency is putting more carriers out of service.
8. CSA: FMCSA's Compliance, Safety, Accountability program has shortcomings but is increasing the emphasis on safety, reports Truckinginfo.
7. Natural gas: Engine makers say there will be a larger variety of natural gas engines available, and natural gas suppliers have made major investments in creating a natural gas fueling infrastructure.
6. Hours of Service: The new Hours of Service regulation was challenged by the trucking industry and by safety advocates, who object to the 34-hour restart provision and the daily limit of 11 hours. Oral arguments will be heard March 15.
5. Hurricane Sandy: The Superstorm disrupted fuel supplies, closed tunnels and bridges, destroyed thousands of trucks, trailers and intermodal containers. Thousands of Teamsters are helping the New York region get back on its feet, as sanitation workers remove debris, UPS employees help Occupy Sandy's relief efforts and Teamsters from all over the country partnered with the Red Cross in delivering supplies to damaged communities.
4. The economy: It's recovering, but slowly. You all know what that means.
3. YRC survives: YRC reports its first quarterly profit in nearly two years, with earnings of $3 million.
2. Mexican trucks: Truckinginfo didn't even consider this a story, which is a good thing. The pilot program allowing cross-border trucking continues to struggle, with only a half dozen trucks making a handful of trips over the border. Meanwhile, the Teamsters are fighting the program in court, arguing that it breaks the law.
1. Right-to-work for less: Indiana and Michigan joined the assault on workers with anti-union laws that will lower wages for non-union and union workers -- if they aren't repealed.
