Regulatory Agencies

Sensitive DOT documents found vulnerable to hackers

WASHINGTON — Vulnerability tests conducted at the U.S. Department of Transportation revealed that employees’ personal information and other sensitive documents are at risk because of ineffective IT safeguards, according to a federal watchdog.

By using publicly available administrator account credentials, auditors at the department’s Office of Inspector General were able to gain unauthorized access to printers used by employees at DOT’s Federal Highway Administration, according to OIG’s report...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/sensitive-dot-documents-found-vulnerable-to-hackers

Trump to name Fox TV host Sean Duffy to head DOT

President-elect Donald Trump is nominating Fox News Host Sean Duffy to head the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Duffy, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin for nine years, is the co-host of Fox Business’ “The Bottom Line” and provides political analysis across all Fox News Media platforms, according to Fox Business.

During his time in the House, Duffy served on the Financial Services Committee and was chairman of its subcommittee on Insurance and Housing.

“[Duffy] will...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trump-to-name-fox-tv-host-sean-duffy-to-head-dot

CSX ordered to pay back, rehire workers who raised safety issues

Two CSX rail workers were awarded a total of $453,000 after the railroad retaliated against them for reporting safety issues in 2017.

The award, issued in a decision by a U.S. Department of Labor administrative law judge, includes $248,856 in back wages plus interest, $100,000 for emotional distress and $100,000 in punitive damages. One of the workers will also receive $4,654 for health insurance premiums paid after the worker’s termination.

The decision followed a whistleblower investigation...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-ordered-to-pay-back-rehire-workers-who-raised-safety-issues

DOT proposes streamlining regs for hazmat carriers

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has unveiled proposed changes to hazardous materials haulage regulations, aiming to make compliance easier while saving an estimated $100 million in carrier costs.

The amendments and new provisions, announced on Monday by the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), will apply to trucking, rail and vessel companies.

“The proposal we’re announcing today streamlines requirements while maintaining safety...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dot-proposes-streamlining-regs-for-hazmat-carriers

Cargomatic ordered to stop threatening drivers involved in wage lawsuit

Cargomatic has been ordered to stop intimidating a group of independent contractor drivers who are suing the company for unpaid wages.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently obtained a permanent injunction in a federal court in California ordering the logistics company to end “repeated intimidation and threats directed toward drivers” who deliver freight in California for a Ceva Logistics subsidiary that relies on Cargomatic to contract and pay drivers to haul for Ceva and its customers.

The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cargomatic-ordered-to-stop-threatening-drivers-involved-in-wage-lawsuit

NLRB regional level again rules that Amazon, delivery service partners employ drivers jointly

The relationship between Amazon and drivers for the company’s delivery service partners (DSPs) continues to generate outcomes with potentially major implications.

The most significant development in recent weeks is the decision by a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board that Amazon and one of its DSPs – the companies that actually bring those packages to your door – are joint employers of the DSP workers. It’s the second such decision just since August.

The finding is also...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/nlrb-regional-level-again-rules-that-amazon-delivery-service-partners-employ-drivers-jointly

Unions warn regulators cost cuts at BNSF are risky

WASHINGTON — Recent cutbacks totaling $105 million in BNSF’s 2024 capital maintenance plan have raised major safety and service concerns from the railroad’s unions.

In a statement filed with the Surface Transportation Board, Tony Cardwell, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Union, contends that BNSF’s decision to defer the maintenance and infrastructure projects is being done “in pursuit of a lower operating ratio” to satisfy the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/unions-warn-regulators-cost-cuts-at-bnsf-are-risky

At STB, rail shippers reveal preference for trucks

WASHINGTON — More regulatory oversight is needed to keep rail volumes from shifting to trucks and limiting the railroads’ growth potential, rail customers have told the Surface Transportation Board.

Their testimony, along with that of railroads, unions, industry consultants and others has been filed with STB ahead of a two-day hearing at the agency next week over concerns about the railroads’ ability to continue to grow their business.

“The deteriorating rail service members have experienced for...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/at-stb-rail-shippers-reveal-preference-for-trucks

Teamsters say NLRB decision undercuts Amazon delivery ownership model, could boost unionization

The Teamsters are cheering a decision by a regional office of the National Labor Relations Board that Amazon is a joint employer at a delivery service partner (DSP) in California that recognized a Teamsters local’s representation of the DSP’s drivers.

While the decision has not yet been published by the NLRB, the Teamsters said its delivery drivers who are represented by Local 396 in Palmdale, California, had won a victory at the NLRB’s Region 31 board, which operates in Los Angeles.

“After more...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/teamsters-say-nlrb-decision-undercuts-amazon-delivery-ownership-model-could-boost-unionization

Supply Chain Council adds new executive, looks beyond California

Bringing together different elements of the supply chain in one group – shippers, carriers, brokers, customers and labor unions – may seem like the ultimate exercise in herding cats.

But the words of Benjamin Franklin come to mind when considering whether such an effort is necessary.

“We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately,” said the “First American,” referring to the assumed fates of the signers of the Declaration of Independence should the British...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/supply-chain-council-adds-new-executive-looks-beyond-california

+ More