kscarbel2

Fleet Owner / April 19, 2016 Coalition calls on Senate to reject 'anti-safety' agenda in DOT funding bill With the U.S. Senate set this week to take up the annual budget for the Dept. of Transportation, an ad hoc coalition of safety, labor, law enforcement and public health groups is urging lawmakers to resist the “insatiable” economic agenda of the trucking industry. “We strongly urge you to oppose any special interest anti-truck safety riders including changes to the truck driver hours of service (HOS) rules that would jeopardize the safety of truck drivers and the motoring public,” reads the letter to Appropriations committee leaders. It’s signed by representatives of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, Parents Against Tired Truckers, Truck Safety Coalition, Road Safe America, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Assn., the Trauma Foundation, and others. The appropriations package, which also funds the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and is known as THUD, two years ago included language that initially rolled back the restart provisions on hours of service limits, pending further study of 2013 changes by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Members of the coalition actively opposed that provision and were prominent voices during the contentious political fight over the issue. And language in last year’s bill “moved the goal post by imposing unnecessary requirements and unattainable results that essentially make it impossible for the safety provisions to be reinstated,” the letter continues. “These political maneuvers evade the regulatory process, disregard the congressional committee of jurisdiction and ignore federal agency and public input. Simply put, they are a political give-away to certain segments of the trucking industry.” But “the insatiable attempts of certain trucking interests to advance their economic agenda regardless of the human cost to public safety” didn’t stop there. The letter cites a range of trucking-related provisions in the recently passed highway bill, the FAST Act, that “gut safety protections.” These include an extension of the restart rollback which, according to the DOT's subsequent interpretation of it, could effectively eliminate the restart altogether. A fix for the legal loophole is also expected to be included in the next THUD. “It is time to stop allowing industry exclusive access to determine and draft their own safety rules in authorizing and spending bills that keep the public out,” the letter concludes. “Congress stands at a critical juncture, to either choose the safety of their constituents or bow to the relentless pursuit by trucking interests to put personal profit before public safety.” The coalition’s plea comes just days after Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a letter of her own to leaders on the Appropriations Committee urging them to oppose efforts to include an “outrageous” provision in the THUD appropriations bill that would “dock the pay of truck drivers” by superseding state labor and wage laws for drivers engaged in interstate commerce. The House version of the highway bill included an amendment that would have prohibited states from imposing labor laws or regulations on companies whose employees are subject to federal HOS rules. Additionally, under the provision, states could not enact or enforce laws that require a motor carrier that pays employees on a piece-rate basis to pay those employees separate or additional compensation, provided the compensation is equal to or greater than the applicable hourly minimum wage of the state. That amendment was removed, however, when Senators opposed the language during conference committee negotiations on the final version of the FAST Act. Earlier this year, Boxer led the effort to have the language removed from an aviation funding bill. “This provision is a poison pill and I will use every tool at my disposal to oppose any legislation that includes it,” Boxer said of the pending DOT budget bill. The American Trucking Assns., which has led the lobbying efforts supporting much of the trucking-related legislation, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the coalition letter. During the THUD debate a year ago, a spokesman said ATA would continue to look for legislative opportunities “to advance our pro-safety, pro-trucking agenda,” whether through appropriations packages or other long-term transportation bills.

DTNA opens new headquarters in Portland Commercial Carrier Journal (CCJ) / April 19, 2016 After two years of construction, Daimler Trucks North America announced the opening of its new headquarters on its corporate campus along the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Ore. DTNA committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly design elements in its $150-million building project, and company officials expect the new 268,000-sq. ft., nine-story building will receive LEED Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council later this year. “Portland is the root of our company,” said Martin Daum, DTNA president and CEO. “We were founded here in 1944, and I’m a strong believer that our company belongs in Portland.” The new headquarters, which is intended to increase synergies among various business units and add capacity for future growth, is a reflection of DTNA’s production philosophy, said Daum, adding that the company’s unprecedented growth and success in the marketplace in recent years has allowed DTNA to reinvest in its headquarters. “We’ve spent $556 million in research and development to make our plants and our products better every year,” said Daum. “That is what it takes to be the market leader. Today, four out of 10 trucks sold in North America carry our badge. As a leader in the industry with a reputation for high standards in engineering and sustainable practices, we felt it was important to have our headquarters campus reflect those values.” Specific environmental and sustainable design characteristics of DTNA’s new headquarters put the building in the 99th percentile of all office buildings nationwide. Elements including onsite renewable energy, passive radiant heating and cooling, and window placement to maximize natural light generate energy savings equivalent to the energy use by 250 new homes.

Heavy Duty Trucking / April 19, 2016 Daimler Trucks North America Tuesday officially opened its nine-story headquarters building on its corporate campus in north Portland, Ore. The headquarters project took two years to complete, beginning in April 2014 after a $150 million investment by DTNA. The 268,000-square-foot headquarter building will merge DTNA employees currently located in offices separated by the Willamette River. It will also accommodate new positions in Portland that the company anticipates it will need as business grows. “As a leader in the industry with a reputation for high standards in engineering and sustainable practices, we felt it was important to have our headquarters campus reflect those values,” said Martin Daum, president and CEO of Daimler Trucks North America. “As one of Portland’s largest employers, we will now have a state-of-the-art work environment to inspire the great talent in our organization and to continue contributing to long-term prosperity in Portland.” DTNA prioritized creating an environmentally conscious plan with the goal of achieving LEED Platinum Certification. LEED Platinum is the most prestigious certification available through the U.S. Green Building Council. DTNA expects to receive certification later this year. "With the new headquarters building, Daimler achieved what only 1% of office buildings nationwide can claim: the design energy efficiency is sky high with an Energy Star score of 99 out of 100,” said Nicole Isle, chief sustainability strategist of Glumac, a sustainable design engineering firm focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, and improving the indoor occupant health. .

Br549, you are absolutely right! So Mr. Code, buy a set of 62GB2393P1 rod bearings and the 215SB72DP1 main bearing kit (oversize if required) and move forward with your overhaul.

Reflecting on the workers and supervisors who were let go last December at Macungie, and the long time morale woes under Volvo at both the company and dealer levels....................... Unlike Volvo who began firing and closing from day one, when Zenon C.R. Hansen took over a financially floundering Mack Trucks on January 7, 1965, he did nothing of the sort. Zenon went into Mack Trucks and didn’t replace a man. He took the entire existing team that was failing because of its problems, and worked with that team. And he kept that team of people throughout his incredibly successful 10-year tenure at Mack Trucks. With the same team of people that had been failing, by the end of 1973, nine years after Zenon had taken the helm at Mack Trucks: - Production had increased 138 percent - New truck deliveries increased 134 percent - Mack sales skyrocketed 200 percent, from US$275 million to US$880 million - Shareholder's equity rose 147 percent, with return on invested capital increasing from 2.7% to 13% - Earnings per share increased by an astonishing 764 percent My friends, this is what I call “leadership in the truck industry”. Throughout his entire career as a leader in the truck industry with Diamond T, White and finally Mack Trucks, Zenon C.R. Hansen never endured a labor strike. Zenon C.R. Hansen knew there were unions, and felt there was a place for unions. Zenon wanted to be up close with the workers. He never wanted to be where he was removed from the aches, pains and turmoil, as well as the hopes and dreams of the workers. This is why he moved all of Mack’s office’s back to Allentown*. Zenon was not only passionate about Mack Trucks, but this distinguished Eagle Scout was passionate about America and its people. He created jobs, rather than cancelling them. There was no social welfare......he was tough and demanding. Every position created by Zenon Hansen’s Mack Trucks served a legitimate purpose. But to be clear, employment at his Mack Trucks wasn’t a job, rather, it was “a way of life”. Unlike the cold atmosphere of Volvo, Zenon C.R. Hansen had a common touch with his employees. For example, Mack had an employee at the company’s scrap yard who was doing a marvelous job. One day, Zenon drove his Cadillac down to the scrap yard, asked the worker to come down off his machine, and handed him his annual bonus check. The worker was shocked. Zenon loved expressing his appreciation by personally handing out bonus checks, and the loyalty that simple act inspired. * Six months before Zenon took over a financially-troubled Mack Trucks on January 7, 1965, the truckmaker had opened a new corporate headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey (about 100 miles northeast of Allentown). The previous Mack management had also located its international sales unit (Mack Trucks Worldwide, Ltd.) in Hamilton, Bermuda, which he termed the “country club”. He promptly closed both, relocating them to Allentown. It’s also important to note that Zenon strongly considered closing Hagerstown and relocating engine and transmission production to Allentown, but determined it would be cost prohibitive (The Hagerstown powertrain plant went on line in September 1961, replacing the Plainfield, New Jersey plant). Summary Yes, the truck industry is cyclical in nature. But there’s more to the laying off of those Mack employees last December. There is a problem. And in the spirit of Zenon C.R. Hansen, the problem needs to be faced....and fixed. But year-after-year, the problem drags on. Within the Mack brand management today, there isn’t a single career truck man onboard. Not even one. Think about that. Zenon C.R. Hansen once said of the incompetent directors who were running Mack Trucks before he took over in 1965, “We dispensed with those directors and got others who knew something about trucks.” Volvo Group’s new president, genuine truck man and Scania alumni Martin Lundstedt, needs to dispense with his current Mack brand management and “get some others who know something about trucks.” .

Well my friend, you do have a strange situation. A 2-valve E6-350 should use 62GB2382 rod bearings (and the same 215SB72DP1 main bearing kit). You have an MH, right? The first MHs, built in 1984, had 2-valve E6-350s because the 4-valve hadn't yet come on line. In 1985, with MH production on full swing, we only installed 4-valve E6-350s (which used 62GB2393 rod bearings. Has this engine been into......do you know the history? Did someone put 4-valve connecting rods into your 2-valve engine? At the bottom of your connecting rods, on the side of the cap, is a stamped number. What is it?

You're welcome Tim. I aim to please. This is a huge issue for Aussie owner operators.

Have you ever witnessed a U.S. politician supporting owner operators (owner drivers) ?

Isuzu Trucks Australia Press Release / April 18, 2016

Industry bodies rejoice RSRT repeal Owner/Driver / April 19, 2016 Australian Trucking Association CEO Christopher Melham says owner-drivers and small trucking businesses "secured a great victory" last night when the federal parliament voted in favour of removing the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and its Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO). The industry body, which organised a convoy to Canberra on Monday morning attended by 200 truck drivers, says the RSRT had unfairly targeted one part of the industry. "The RSRT’s payments order applied a minimum freight rate to owner drivers," Melham says. "As a result, owner drivers were finding themselves unable to compete with the rates offered by other competitors in the marketplace." He says the pressure of the Order, which did not apply to employee drivers, meant owner-drivers "were losing their livelihoods and family businesses were folding under the pressure of this unfair, two-tier payment system." Thanking the coalition and the independents who supported the Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Bill 2016, Melham says "the RSRT is now a thing of the past, and its funding will be reassigned to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator." "I’d like to thank the Government and all those independent senators who stood with owner drivers during this dark time," he says. "Owner operators across Australia stood up and said that this wasn’t right. "In all states and territories, drivers invested their own time and money to attend rallies, be part of convoys, and approach their local members to fix this appalling situation." The ATA says the Bill received Royal Assent this morning and the abolition act takes effect on Thursday. Shared victory In a small statement, the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) says it "welcomes the passing of a Bill last night in Federal Parliament to abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal, which will keep up to 40,000 small, family owned trucker businesses on the road." The body's CEO Warren Clark says the result follows an exhaustive campaign. "We thank the Coalition who listened to the concerns of our industry and introduced the Bill, and Senators Lazarus, Lambie, Madigan and the other crossbenchers whose support saw the Bill pass through the Parliament," Clark says. "The shambles that was the RSRT is now behind us and those businesses at risk of going under as a result of its ill-informed decisions, can now return to business as usual." The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) CEO Innes Willox has chorused the sentiment, saying the news "is very welcome." "Ai Group opposed the establishment of the Tribunal, and ever since we have called for its abolition," Willox says. "The Tribunal should never have been established in the first place. "It was set up in response to a TWU industrial campaign. "The idea that paying drivers more or differently will improve road safety has been rightly rejected by Parliament." The Livestock and Bulk Carriers Association (LBCA) and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA (LRTAWA) have also come out strongly in favour of the RSRT’s abolishment. "The dragon of the RSRT is dead," the LBCA says. "We’ve seen off a dangerous livelihood threatening, family threatening menace." The industry body says it "is a moment for us all to say congratulations to each other because it took many of us working in the same direction, taking individual initiatives, pushing hard and not losing our nerve that made it happen." Support from deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce and former senator Tony Windsor, and the participation of its members in the convoy to Canberra over the weekend all played parts in swaying the parliament, the LBCA says. "Special thanks to all our members who appeared as witnesses and were abused by the Tribunal," the body says. "We did our best to protect you, but your courage and their abuse was a major reason why the Parliament voted so decisively to abolish the Tribunal." The Western Australian-focused LRTAWA shared similar sentiment, stating it was a win for small businesses. Speaking on behalf of the organisation, president Stephen Marley says "rural transporters were one of the groups that would have been the worst affected by the RSRT’s recent order as so much of their work involved back-loading and loads with more than one consignor on board." As to the complexity of the RSRO and the confusion that ensued, Marley says he "cannot recall a transport issue in the last couple of decades that has united the industry through fear of the future the way the RSRT has." "Small transport companies in regional areas were facing financial ruin which inevitably would have affected many other regional businesses servicing the transporters." Seeing the positives in the ordeal, the LRTAWA president says the industry "worked together through its representative associations and it is a good example of the power of effective lobby groups." "The result is testimony to what industry associations can achieve." Thanking the ministers "for listening to transporters concerns and working with the industry to develop a legislative strategy that had the best prospect of success," Marley says the body "will continue to push for more safety bays, better roads and a well-informed driving community to ensure we all get home safely." NHVR solution While the Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has also joined in on the celebrations, highlighting its position from when the tribunal was proposed in 2010, it has also come to the fore to push the NHVR solution. "The Senate vote vindicates ALC’s long held position that the Tribunal and its Orders would inevitably lead to regulatory overlap, confusion, inefficiencies and costs," ALC managing director Michael Kilgariff says. The ALC chief says the answer to the problem is in the Chain of Responsibility laws. "The ALC view has always been that the most effective way to drive safety in the heavy vehicle industry is through achieving greater compliance and enforcement of Chain of Responsibility in the Heavy Vehicle National Law," he says. "There are a number of proposed changes to Chain of Responsibility (COR) laws in 2016. "This includes the introduction of a ‘primary duty of care’ into the current Chain of Responsibility that will be similar in nature to those contained in workplace health and safety legislation." The industry body’s vision features the mandatory use of technology, recording fatigue, speeding, location, and dangerous driving data; the addition of operator accreditation, ensuring participants are qualified for certain tasks; a focus on COR; and a better alignment with work health safety laws. "ALC calls on those organisations that have invested time and resources in the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal to put their weight behind the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to develop and implement safety measures that are workable, effective and which drive heavy vehicle safety outcomes across Australia," Kilgariff says. Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell has also backed the proposal to empower the NHVR. "The NHVR is best placed to develop practical measures to help ensure the truck drivers who go out to work on our roads every day, get home safely to their families," Carnell says. Labelling the news overnight as prevailing common sense, Carnell says owner-drivers "can now confidently get back on the road and on with the job of keeping their small businesses running, within a fair and competitive market." However, she hopes the banks will "bear these circumstances in mind" in the time it takes "for the industry to get back to normal" after the RSRT. "I encourage banks and other financial institutions to show some leniency towards owner-driver small businesspeople; many have mortgaged the family home to cover the costs of running their enterprise and may be struggling financially due to the recent upheaval," Carnell says.

TWU and Labor slam RSRT decision Owner/Driver / April 19, 2016 Speaking after the federal parliament passed legislation to remove the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) and its Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO) overnight, TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon says the coalition has removed "the one tribunal that give fairness and makes our roads safer." "Our roads will now see more deaths, more fatalities, and more owner-drivers and employees exploited," he says. Directing his comments at prime minister Malcolm Turnbull at a press rally this morning, Sheldon says the Liberal party leader "got rid of hope for thousands of owner-drivers and employees across this country." "We’re determined to fight, and fight again to make sure this country has safe roads and people that can live, breathe, and work on our roads without the fear of economic pressure that your government has now put on their shoulders." Sheldon says the TWU has believed, since before Easter, that a delay was required and has been working towards it up until last night. "On Thursday, before the Easter break, there was an agreement across industry to reach an agreement with regards to both the tribunal decision that affects 0.1 per cent of owner-drivers in the livestock industry," he says. "There was an agreement struck by all the major negotiators, all the major associations, but Malcolm Turnbull and the industrial relations minister decided to go on a political frolic and that agreement collapsed." "Just yesterday, there was no opposition to the position put up by the Transport Workers’ Union on behalf of tens of thousands of owner-drivers and employees across the country," but "Malcolm Turnbull made a decision last night." Setting the scene for the TWU’s next move, the TWU national secretary says the "18 families that have lost loved ones this month, they aren’t statistics on a piece of paper, they’re real people and we’ll damn-well fight for them." Community sentiment The TWU says there is community support for the RSRT, citing a poll that says over three-quarters of Australians want the government to take action on the trucking industry’s safety. "An opinion poll today shows a majority of people believe the Tribunal should be kept while just 12 per cent say it should be abolished," a TWU statement says. "The poll by Essential Media shows a majority of people support the Tribunal. "Over 85 per cent say the Federal Government needs to take action to make the trucking industry safer. "Major clients, which dictate transport contracts, should be held accountable for their impact on road safety, said 65 per cent of respondents." The union has been pushing the evidence angle since the beginning of the RSRT debate, highlighting the industry’s safety record – the transport industry currently sits atop the fatality rates with 12 times the average risk of all industries. Making that point for the TWU is Sue Posnakidis, whose brother John Posnakidis was killed in 2010. "My brother’s death has devastated our family and we know he should never have died," Posnakidis says. "He was killed by an inexperienced driver who’d had a ‘grueling work schedule’ and was driving a truck with faulty brakes, according to the coroner." While disappointed by the parliament, she says she’ll "keep fighting so that no other family has to go through what we are living every day." Also among the 50 drivers and family members in Canberra today showing their disappointment is owner-driver Roy Ballantyne, who says the move ends his chance for a pay rise. "Now the government has taken away that increase and left me struggling again," he says. "I don’t want to have to keep choosing between putting food on the table and maintaining my truck." Fellow owner-driver John Waltis shared the outlook. "Our job is the most dangerous job in Australia and I’ve been to the funerals of 50 mates killed in truck crashes to prove it," Waltis says. "It’s deeply disappointing to hear that Malcolm Turnbull has abolished the Tribunal – now there is no road safety watchdog to address the crisis in our industry. "The race to the bottom on rates will continue tragically and so will the crashes and deaths." Shadow minister says Turnbull will rue the move Shadow minister for employment and workplace relations Brendan O’Connor says Malcolm Turnbull will "rue the day that he has turned his back on the body of evidence that links wages and road deaths." Describing it as a tragic day, O’Connor says "based on the evidence that has been considered by commission reports, by coronial inquiries, and by the courts …there will be more deaths on our roads as a result." In a slight shift in stance, O’Connor says the Labor party had "concerns about the way in which the Order was dealt with by the tribunal, and was willing to sit down with affected parties." "Indeed, I think all parties were looking to do that before the tribunal, and it was regrettable that it wasn’t the course the tribunal had taken." The shadow minister says Labor is "strongly of the view [that] we need a way to address this problem on our roads," but will continue to consider its position on the issue.

Parliament removes RSRT Australasian Transport News / April 19, 2016 Backed by a number of independents, the coalition has voted the RSRT out The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) has been abolished by the federal parliament overnight with a senate vote of 36 to 32. Passing through both the House of Representatives and the Senate yesterday, the Road Safety Remuneration Repeal Bill 2016 gained the backing of independent senators Jacqui Lambie, Nick Xenophon, John Madigan, Glenn Lazarus, and minor party members Zhenya (Dio) Wang and Robert (Bob) Day. Holding to his original opinion from 2014, senator Ricky Muir voted against the repeal Bill. The Bill means the Contractor Driver Minimum Payments Road Safety Remuneration Order 2016 (RSRO) will also be removed when the abolition act commences on Thursday 21 April. Pyne introduces the Bill Introducing the Bill into the House of Representatives, industry, innovation and science minister Christopher Pyne says the Bill "stands by owner drivers and mum-and-dad small businesses who just want to earn an honest living." The leader of the house says the RSRT’s refusal to delay the order, "in the face of widespread confusion and misunderstanding" was "the last straw". "Road accidents involving trucks involve both owner-drivers and employee-drivers and in 84 per cent of cases are caused by the other vehicle involved, not the truck," he says. "To single one group out, effectively branding them as unsafe, is not only unfair, but it's also wrong, and enormously insulting." The minister also took a passing shot at the TWU, which Pyne says had instigated a tribunal that had "devastating effects on the industry" and, at the last minute, was trying to save it. "What an extraordinary and absurd turn of events — the union for whom the tribunal was created, who attacked owner drivers for challenging the Payments Order and went to the Federal Court only two weeks ago to have a stay of the order lifted, is now before its tribunal saying, 'We've changed our mind, we want you to delay the order'," Pyne says. He also took umbrage to the thought that improved payments will slow down the ‘cowboys’. "As one owner-driver explained to me, if you pay the cowboy drivers more, because they are cowboys, they will just drive more — more hours, longer distances, to get that money." Other concerns surrounded the lack of rest breaks in the RSRO and that it doesn’t take safety training into account – "practical measures have all been recognised as having a significant impact on safety and yet the order does not mention them," he says. Next steps Pyne confirmed the growing sentiment towards the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), which Longhaul Drivers Association (LDA) president Brian Turpie says is unfit for the job, suggesting it will handle the role. "We will redirect all the resources from the Road Safety Remuneration System — $4 million each year — to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator to ensure the tangible safety measures the industry want are given priority," he says. On the RSRT, Infrastructure and transport minister Darren Chester says "a tribunal of industrial umpires cannot claim to be experts in road safety," and therefore it should be the NHVR which "has the expert knowledge and understanding needed to bring about improvements to the safety of the road transport industry." Employment minister Michaelia Cash, who has lead the coalition’s efforts, says the government will be consulting with its state counterparts and the industry to "determine how best this resourcing can be used to re-prioritise and strengthen safety measures that will work at the roadside."

When the Shah of Iran was overthrown during the 1979 Iranian revolution and U.S. businesses were instructed by Washington to cease doing business with the country, PAI was born. It's an Iranian company. They needed a continuing supply of Mack parts for the thousands upon thousands of Mack trucks operating in Iran and the vicinity. During the 1980s, PAI began soliciting their parts to the Mack dealer body. Most dealers avoided PAI because of the Iranian connection, and because genuine Mack parts were still reasonably priced. This all resulted in the parts houses taking the franchise. The quality of their components varied from average to below average. For Iranian operators that had no other alternative, I imagine it was fine.

Scania Press Release / April 18, 2016 In early April, Spain became the latest country to see a 25.25-metre (82.84 feet) and 60-tonne (132,277 lb) truck and trailer combination on its roads, with the maiden voyage of a Scania R 450. A consortium led by Spanish car manufacturer Seat, and promoted by the Catalan Automotive Industry Cluster (CIAC), oversaw the truck’s journey to Seat’s headquarters in Martorell. Seat Logistics director Enric Martí says, “We are very proud to lead this pioneering initiative in Spain, which will have a direct impact on the efficiency and sustainability of the logistics processes at the Martorell plant.” Martí adds that the success of the pilot test makes him optimistic about being able to cover three routes on the Iberian Peninsula with these longer trucks in the months ahead. Environmental benefits of longer truck combinations Spain’s parliament approved the legislation allowing longer trucks and trailers in December 2015. The country is just the latest addition to the steadily-growing ranks of nations that are recognising the sustainability of the European Modular System, which increases transport efficiency through longer and heavier tractor and trailer combinations. “It is highly pleasing to note that more and more countries have realised the economic and environmental benefits of permitting longer truck and trailer combinations,” says Erik Dahlberg, Head of Vehicle Regulations at Scania. “We have for many years advocated legislative changes to pave the way for longer vehicles and are now starting to see results. With longer trucks and trailer combinations, we can achieve a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions without compromising economic growth and the need for transport.” “Necessary first step” CIAC President Vicenç Aguilera views the maiden voyage as a very positive step for Spanish transport, saying, “We are very pleased to have achieved this milestone. It is the necessary first step in both improving logistics and transport and promoting competitiveness in our country”. The next journey after the maiden voyage will be for the promoters of the initiative to reach the point where 25.25-metre trucks are a regular presence on Spain’s roads. At present, these types of vehicles are only allowed to travel with prior permission from the National Department of Traffic or by the Catalan or Basque traffic authorities. The European Modular System has been in use in Sweden and Finland since decades and is also permitted in Denmark and the Netherlands. The advantages are obvious when three trucks on the road can be replaced by two. .

Antoine Geffray Scania Press Release / April 30, 2015 ”We’re proud to keep the V8 legend alive” Extreme truck makeover. After six years of hard work and lots of tender loving care, our April profile Antoine Geffray and his employees are proud to present their refurbished “King of the Road” – a vehicle identical to the Scania LB 141 of the 1980s.

Leif Eriksen Scania Press Release / January 30, 2015 Years have gone by. But they keep going. Miles after miles. Leif Eriksen, July personality for the 2015 Scania Calendar, and his Scania 142 have traveled 4,147,000 km together (2,576,826miles).

Sebastiaan Steyn Scania Press Release / April 30, 2015 “The little rhino was crying, but I calmed him down” A poacher killed the baby rhino's mother and left the calf to die. And he probably would have died, if not for Sebastiaan Steyn. Sebastiaan is a member of WRSA Private Rhino Owners, a non-profit organization that works to protect South Africa's rhinos. Join us at Sebastiaan’s farm, Goliatskraal, and meet our calendar profile of June – a champion of rhinos.

Among other things, one gets the impression of a morale issue at Volvo's Mack brand Macungie assembly plant (Lehigh Valley Operations in Volvo speak). Zenon Hansen would probably say, "The ability to lead a company to success, is done so through earned respect". Some ethics, morals and values remain ageless. The truck industry is a cyclical business. And the generations of talented Mack truck assemblers in the Allentown area are well aware of that. Employment at times requires adjustment. But "how" you go about that, is the key to steady labor relations. "I had a very fine relationship when I was in Allentown with Mack employees. They were absolutely super, and also with the Mack union (United Auto Workers)." Zenon C.R. Hansen, former chairman of the board and CEO - Mack Trucks, Inc. .

Thank you for laying that out. If true...........he handled himself in a manner.......typical of Volvo management. Volvo alleges the 400 men were laid off......not terminated. Local 677 has a different opinion. (http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/43123-mack-trucks-laying-off-400-workers-at-macungie/#comment-315947)

Minimum truckie pay un-Australian: MP AAP / April 18, 2016 Imposing minimum pay rates on owner-driver truckies deprives them of achieving the great Australian dream of being their own boss, a Nationals MP has told parliament. Mark Coulton says a road safety tribunal pay decision is forcing drivers to park their trucks because they can't compete against bigger transport companies. Employed truck drivers were not covered by the minimum pay decision, which only covered drivers who own their own vehicles - making it cheaper for bigger companies who employ drivers. Mr Coulton, who holds a heavy vehicle driver's licence, said owner-drivers would have to charge a higher rate than the average to comply with the rules. They had two options: break the law and hope they weren't caught or charge the higher rate and miss out on the job. "This is not about safety, this is about anti-competitive behaviour," he said on Monday. The decision was un-Australian because it forced owner-drivers to abandon the great Australian dream of being your own boss. Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne earlier introduced legislation to abolish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal - a creation of the Gillard government - during a special session of parliament. Mr Pyne argues there is no tangible safety outcome from the tribunal. Labor disagrees, saying there is a direct correlation between minimum pay rates and road safety. Scrapping the tribunal would make roads less safe for all Australians. Mr Pyne says it's vital to abolish the body to ensure owner-truck drivers can keep working. "This is about those operators who just want to earn a living so they can continue to sponsor their local sporting club, St John's Ambulance or their children's school without having their livelihood threatened," he told parliament. If the abolition bill isn't passed, the government's back-up plan is to freeze a minimum pay rate decision for owner-drivers which the coalition says puts 35,000 businesses at risk. Mr Pyne also introduced that legislation on Monday, but highlighted it was not the government's preferred option. Opposition employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor told the parliament Labor would not support the bills in their initial form. It appears the government has enough support in the Senate to pass at least the freeze.

Toddler meets 'rubbish truck guy' The New Zealand Herald / April 16, 2016 A Tuakau toddler has met the rubbish truck driver who inspired a heartfelt open letter from his dad. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Aaron Brown thanked a nameless "rubbish truck guy" who always took the time to smile and wave at his 2-year-old son Alex on Tuesday mornings. Now a delighted Alex has met the driver, Darryl Walker, 55 from Wattle Downs, at EnviroWaste's depot in Penrose, Auckland. He even got to sit behind the wheel of Mr Walker's truck. "Alex was wary of getting in the truck at first but when he saw the steering wheel that sealed it," said mum Elaine. "He was a bit confused about all the attention at first but he loves it now." Mr Walker, who has been a driver for 15 years, said he was delighted to meet Alex. "He waves at me every week and it's lovely to finally say hello, " he said. "I like to say hello to everyone when I'm driving around because it is nice to be friendly and it makes my day." After seeing his touching message, Mrs Brown shared the open letter on the Franklin Grapevine community page, where it attracted more than 7000 likes and 900 shares. Mr Brown looks after his son Alex in the mornings, getting him ready for preschool and dropping him off while his wife works an early shift. On Tuesdays their rubbish is collected, and as soon as Alex hears the truck he makes a dash for the door. In his letter Mr Brown said: "Now you could just carry on oblivious to a man and his son in the driveway but no. What you do is take a small moment of your time and wave and say out the window 'hi boy!' with the biggest smile. "It took Alex about a year but then the day he waved back you were so happy and it made Alex laugh. "Now every Tuesday morning, Alex runs to the door and leads me out so he can watch and wave at you and as always, you wave back with a huge smile. "So I thank you Tuakau rubbish truck guy. You might think it's nothing but it makes Alex so happy." Video - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11623736

ATA thanks drivers and pollies for convoy success Australasian Transport News (ATN) / April 18, 2016 MPs and senators line up to get into trucks as repeal confidence rises The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) expressed confidence Senate crossbenchers would support the end of the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) after yesterday’s convoy and rally in Canberra. The convoy, estimated at about 200 trucks, mostly prime movers running bobtail, proved irresistible for quite a few members of parliament and senators, it reports. ATA CEO Christopher Melham said there could be no doubt of the trucking industry’s backing for the abolition of the RSRT, and welcomed the support of ministers, senators and other members of parliament at today’s event. "The Road Safety Remuneration System isn’t about safety – it’s about creating a two-tier payment system, where owner drivers and small operators are legally restricted from being able to negotiate their own rates," Melham says. "But this doesn’t apply to large fleets. This means that rather than having owner drivers paid more, they are losing jobs as they can no longer compete on price. "We know there are third and fourth generation family transport businesses who are going out of business as a result of the tribunal. These are livelihoods and careers on the line. "As Minister Chester said at the rally this morning, you shouldn’t have to drive to Canberra to fight for your job. But hundreds of drivers did travel to Canberra to deliver a clear message – abolish the RSRT, and abolish it now. "Owner driver Mick Boland really hit the nail on the head when he said that owner drivers are scared for their futures under the tribunal – but they’re fighting, and they’ll keep fighting to save their businesses while they still can. "It was fantastic to have such strong support from the Government and crossbenchers for the industry at this morning’s event. "Having Minister Chester, minister Cash and senator John Williams address the rally, along with senator Lazarus, senator Day, Senator Wang and senator Xenophon, really shows their understanding of the pressure that is being put on our owner drivers. "Senator John Williams took delivery of the ATA’s petition to abolish the RSRT to introduce it to Parliament today. John even jumped behind the wheel himself in this morning’s convoy, while owner-driver Greg Hollis took the passenger seat." Melham applauded MPs and senators who took the time to ride in the convoy with members of their electorates, including: - Senator Fiona Nash - Sussan Ley - Keith Pitt - Wyatt Roy - Michael McCormack - Senator John Williams - Senator Chris Back - Michelle Landry - Brett Whiteley - Scott Buchholz - Senator Glenn Lazarus. "The trucking industry already has a safety body – it’s called the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator," Melham says. "The Road Safety Remuneration System is putting owner drivers and family operations out of business, and it needs to be abolished now." Asked about the rally in against the tribunal he was instrumental in setting up, Opposition leader Bill Shorten put industry anxiety down to uncertainty and backed a delay in the RSRO’s implementation. "Well I think what’s happening is that there's been a lot of confusion about the implementation of new minimum rates and I can respect the concern that causes," Shorten says. "But the solution, if there's detail about minimum rates of pay, isn't to get rid of the independent umpire. "The solution to road safety in this country isn't to deregulate the wage rates of owner drivers so it's just the law of the jungle applying in terms of what people get paid." Shorten reiterates that the opposition is looking for a nine-month delay for the RSRO. "Absolutely, we've said that we think the independent tribunal should delay some of the new minimum wage orders until the first of January next year," he says. "That's how you fix things." "Image if the independent tribunal passes a minimum wage case for workers and Mr Turnbull doesn’t like that. Imagine if the independent umpire decides to increase casual loadings that people receive or penalty rates. "What is Mr Turnbull now going to do if a few 100 people complain about the national independent umpire for wage rates? Mr Turnbull is only doing this to keep the right wing of his political party happy. He has no consistency of interest in the issues of road safety that I’ve seen him speak about."

Owner/Driver / April 12, 2016 Following another successful event in 2015, the Penrith Museum of Fire will again be hosting the Sydney Classic and Antique Truck Show. This year’s event takes place on Sunday, May 29. This will be the sixth running of the event, which will again showcase of huge range of classic trucks, buses, fire engines and vehicles of yesteryear. As in previous years, enthusiasts are expected to arrive from the greater Sydney region, as well as those involved in historic vehicle associations from around NSW and beyond. As well as the fascinating nostalgia on display, there will be live entertainment from Beatles tribute band Beatle Magic. Children will be especially enthralled by the Matt Falloon and his Trained Balloons and, of course, the free rides. However, Sydney Classic and Antique Truck Show’s centre of attention will be the solid rubber boneshakers of 1914 through to the kings of the highway of the ’60 and ’70s. For those wishing to take a journey back in time, a vintage double decker bus will offer rides around Penrith. In addition, Fire and Rescue NSW will present live fire demonstrations of their ‘Kitchen Fire Simulator’, and of course there are the fascinating displays of the Museum of Fire itself. Admission prices start from $15 for adults $15 (which includes up to three children under 16 free with paying adult). Concession tickets are $10. These prices cover all rides and entertainment throughout the day. Gates open at 8am until 3pm For further info on the Sydney Classic and Antique Truck Show visit www.museumoffire.com.au or contact the Museum of Fire on 02 4731 3000. To see what all the fuss is about, check out the video from the 2015 event. Keep up to date on the industry by signing up to Owner Driver's free weekly newsletter.