Trump names insider Chao to lead DOT

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Waldeck promoted at Daimler Truck Financial

Tobias Waldeck is moving up the executive ranks at Daimler Truck Financial, taking over as vice president of sales, marketing and remarketing effective immediately, according to the company.

Daimler Truck Financial, a unit of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, noted that it provides a broad range of flexible financial and insurance services in support of the various Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) commercial vehicle brands such as: Freightliner; Western Star; Thomas Built Buses; Mitsubishi Fuso; and Sprinter.

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VT Hackney Offers Aluminum Shelving for Sprinters

VT Hackney has extended its aluminum shelving line to include Sprinter Van models, targeting the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical contractor markets.

Standard kits are available for quick delivery and installation but modifications can be requested to better accommodate an operator's business. Hackney's aluminum shelving is lightweight and adjustable, designed to hold Hackney's storage trays or tools.

Driver side and passenger side kits can be purchased separately or as one package with top shelf storage for ladders and pipe. Introductory packages provide open areas for bulky items such as hot water heaters.

Hackney shelving can be purchased directly from Hackney or through a Sprinter dealer. Hackney will offer flexible installation options, including detailed instructions for end-user installation or Hackney factory installation. For Sprinter factory ordered vans, Hackney will also offer a “ship thru” option allowing customers to have their shelving installed as soon as the van rolls off the line. This option reduces both customer lead time and freight charges.

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Waldeck assumes new role with Daimler Truck Financial

Trump Picks Chao to Head DOT

Image via elainelchao.com

President­-elect Donald Trump announced on Nov. 29 that he will nominate Elaine Chao to serve as Secretary of Transportation.

No stranger to the Executive Branch, Chao served as Secretary of Labor throughout President George W. Bush's two terms and as Deputy Secretary of Transportation under President George H. W. Bush.

Born in Taiwan, Chao arrived in the U.S, with her family in 1961 at age 8. She was the first Asian American woman and the first Taiwanese American in history to be appointed to a Cabinet post. Chao is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear was quick to praise Trump's selection to head the Department of Transportation.

“I had the privilege of serving with and working closely with Secretary Chao during my time at the Department of Labor, [which he served as Assistant Secretary of Policy from 2001-2004] and I am extremely pleased that she will be taking on this new challenge,” Spear said.

“President-elect Trump could not have picked a more qualified, experienced and dedicated individual to serve in this important role. “From her experience as Deputy Transportation Secretary under President George H.W. Bush, Secretary Chao understands the issues we face as we try to keep America's freight moving safely and efficiently,” he added.

Related: Whose Infrastructure— Ours or Theirs?

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Walmart Ordered to Pay $54 Million in Driver Pay Lawsuit

Walmart was ordered to pay $54 million by a California court in a driver wage lawsuit alleging that the company was not paying drivers for all required time and work.

The suit involved more than 800 drivers who worked for the company between October 2005 and 2015. It argued that drivers were not being properly compensated for activities such as vehicle inspections, vehicle washing, or layovers, according to an L.A. Times report. The suit originally sought damages of up to $72 million.

Walmart argued that drivers shouldn't be paid for layovers because their pay is based on mileage, not hours, and drivers were not working during that time. The company also said that it was unreasonable to break down pay by every individual activity, some of which only took a few minutes to accomplish.

Walmart pays its drivers $42 for a 10-hour layover, according to the report, and the company says drivers are free to do what they want during that period. Attorneys representing the drivers argued that drivers should be paid minimum wage for the layover time because they were required to stay with their trucks.

Joe Rajkovacz, director of governmental affairs and communications for the Western States Trucking Association, told HDT the ruling was a case of overreach by the state.

“We think the decision is exactly why Congress needs to pass Denham amendment-styled language that prohibits states from involving themselves in payment methods to drivers and forcing compliance with unique state meal and rest break requirements,” said Rajkovacz.

He also contended that Walmart was being scapegoated because of its size and familiarity, but he indicated that similar lawsuits often affect smaller trucking companies.

“Many of those on the opposite side of this issue to us like to use Walmart as their example of a large company needing to be brought to task,” ...Read the rest of this story