Global Logistics: IWLA Concerned About Teamsters

Source: Logistics Management

By: Patrick Burnson, Executive Editor
May 25, 2010

"OAKLAND—The International Warehouse Logistics Association is urging Congress to reject legislative language that would weaken federal preemption of state and local regulation of trucking in the nation’s ports because it is a backdoor attempt to drive independent owner-operator truckers out of business at those locations – including at the Port of Oakland.

In a recent letter to Peter DeFazio (D-OR), chairman, and John J. Duncan Jr. (R-TN), ranking minority member of the House on Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, IWLA President Joel D. Anderson said proposed amendments to the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act would undermine federal preemption by allowing local governments to regulate port trucking when it comes to address environmental and port security matters.

“The proposed amendments are not really about environmental and security concerns at the nation’s ports,” Anderson said in his letter. “They are an attempt to gain through legislation what the courts have found to be unlawful: local regulation of truck drayage services at the nation’s ports. Specifically, the proposed amendments are designed to allow the ports to ban independent owner-operators in favor of employee drivers.”

Current federal law preempts state and local regulation of trucking in interstate and foreign commerce except in regard to safety. The proposed amendments would undermine federal preemption by granting local governments the authority to regulate the port trucking industry to address environmental and port security matters.

Proponents of the amendment improperly characterize the need for change as necessary to improve air quality and port security. Several major U.S. ports, including the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Seattle, have already initiated very successful Clean Truck Programs, Anderson pointed out to the subcommittee leaders. He cited the example of the California Air Resources Board which, in conjunction with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, implemented a clean trucks program that led to an estimated 80 percent reduction in diesel emissions two years ahead of its target date.

“This occurred without changing federal law,” Anderson noted. “This and similar efforts underway at other major U.S. ports demonstrate that it is not necessary to rewrite longstanding federal trucking laws to accomplish significant environmental improvements in port areas.”

IWLA Appoints Camille Golden Marketing & Communications Coordinator

April 26, 2010 (Des Plaines, IL) – The International Warehouse Logistics Association appointed Camille Golden to the newly-created position of Marketing & Communications Coordinator.

In her new position, Ms. Golden is responsible for developing and implementing IWLA’s marketing and communications activities. Her duties include providing weekly updates to the IWLA website, producing and distributing the weekly electronic newsletter, This Week @ IWLA, and coordinating marketing materials.

“Camille Golden brings just the right skill set and experience to strengthen our communication capabilities,” said Joel D. Anderson, IWLA president and CEO. “In her new post she will be able to improve communications about the association’s advocacy initiatives and educational and other services to IWLA members and prospective members in the commercial warehouse and third-party logistics industry.”

Before joining IWLA, Ms. Golden worked for the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect as International Events and Communications Coordinator. Ms. Golden holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Theater Arts from Western Illinois University, Macomb.

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Since 1891, the International Warehouse Logistics Association has been defining the standards of excellence in warehousing and logistics outsourcing. IWLA promotes the growth and success of third-party logistics companies by providing its more than 500 member companies with resources, information, education and professional programs designed to advance their businesses and provide greater value to their customers. For more information, visit IWLA.