FREIGHT NEWS

Hoffa Questions Roadway-Yellow Merger
Ten Local 916 Drivers Waiting For Word on Impact

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is analyzing a proposal that would result in a merger of the two giant freight companies that, together, currently employ more than 35,000 Teamsters nationwide.

The companies are claiming that their $966 million merger would have minimal impact on the workers and no anticipated job losses. However, IBT officials said that combined, the two freight companies have closed more than 600 terminals in the last decade.

Further, there appears to be no apparent economic value to the merger unless the companies reduced operations or there was a significant rebound in the economy.

The freight companies have expressed a desire to complete the merger by the end of the year. Teamsters Freight Division will be providing regular updates on the proposed merger at www.teamster.org.

Background Checks Now Required for HAZMAT Truck Drivers - Patriot Act drives change

On May 5, 2003, The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation attempted to secure the transport of hazardous materials, including explosives, by issuing an interim final rule requiring background checks on commercial drivers who are certified to transport hazardous materials.

Under TSA’s rule, approximately 3.5 million commercial drivers with hazardous material endorsements will be required to undergo a routine background check that includes a review of criminal, immigration, and FBI records as well as fingerprinting.

Any driver who:

1. Has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity (by a military or civilian court) in the past seven years;

2. Was released from prison in the past five years, or is wanted or under indictment for committing certain felonies; or

3. Who has been found mentally incompetent
   will not be permitted to obtain, retain, transfer, or renew the hazardous materials endorsement.

The checks also will verify that the driver is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, as required by law.

This rule was required under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (U.S. Patriot Act), which was enacted by Congress on October 25, 2001.