NEW ORLEANS. The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) introduced a newly redesigned website, a new online feature called Trucking on the Green and the migration of the supplier and membership directories to an all-electronic format at the annual ATA Management Conference & Exhibition here.
In addition, while the Membership Committee reported that revenue from dues was actually up to higher levels than in any time in history, the association is also preparing to launch a new membership recruiting effort in 2009 that will make use of member testimonials to showcase the benefits of belonging to TCA.
TCA’s Recruiting and Retention Committee also outlined other areas it expects to concentrate on in the months ahead, including general workforce development with assessment-based programs for fleet managers. The group will also focus on driver turnover and on enhancing business efficiencies in the areas of operations, sales and safety, including taking a closer look at how driver turnover impacts all areas of the business.
The Regulatory Policy Committee reported to the group on its progress and members endorsed several recommendations including to support a carefully structured and supervised test program to allow younger drivers (18 to 20) to obtain a CDL, and to move to more extensive screening of independent contractors.
During the meeting, members also considered ATA’s new sustainability program and voted to support five of the six pillars of the program, declining to back the ATA’s efforts to lobby for larger and heavier limits for tractor/trailer combinations, noting that the increases were “not consistent with TCA’s own policies.”
TCA did support a national speed limit of 65 mph and speed governing at 68 mph; a federal solution to regulation of vehicle idling; endorsement of the EPA’s SmartWay program; using fuel taxes for programs to reduce highway congestion; and the establishment of fuel economy standards for commercial vehicles.
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