Archive for March, 2012

For the first time since its beginning in July 2008, we will be taking the internet-based Blog Talk Radio show, Truth About Trucking “LIVE” on the road to the 2012 Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.  On Thursday, March 22nd, we’ll kick off our 118th broadcast from the Dynasys APU booth #16052, with a follow-up show on Friday, March, 23rd.  Both shows will be live from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

We invite everyone to be sure to stop by the Dynasys APU booth to say hello and even join us in the glass-walled studio and be a part of the shows.  The Dynasys booth will have something for everyone just like last year, making their booth one of the top ten trafficked booths in 2011 and this year will be no exception:

• Inviting Lounge Area
• Interactive Social Media Display
• Top-Quality Product Demonstrations
• A “Recharge” station provided for mobile devices ( also known as the “juicing station”)
• Chance to win an Apple iPad ( interactive social media Q&A)

Air Flow Truck

Also on hand will be the “Air Flow Truck”, the most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient class 8 rig in the world and you can only see it at booth #16052.

Our radio show Thursay, “Anti Iding Technology“ will address the anti-idling laws that truckers are being faced with today. We’ll discuss anti-idling technology ( also know as idling alternatives), including the Dynaysys APU as well as other technology such as fuel-fired heaters,  battery APU’s and even Truck Stop Electrification.

Friday’s show will be about “Trucking Social Media,”  how the trucking industry is readily catching on to the value of the social media platform as a way to communicate thoughts, ideas, services, and products to targeted audiences.

We’ll discuss how truckers are using social media to voice their opinions and share their comments with the general public, rather than keeping them in the private arena of truck stops, loading docks, and trucking forums.

Learn how companies are using social media to engage with their audiences, building relationships with people, rather than selling to customers.
Join us as we reveal “What not to do” while using Social Media.

If you would like to be a part of the show, stop by before we go live, and share with us how you would like to contribute to the discussions. We’ll also be taking callers so be a part of it all “LIVE” from MATS.  347-826-9170

If you use Twitter, we’ll be tweeting and sending pics using the hashtags:  #MATS and #TDSMC from both of our Twitter accounts TruckConvention and AskTheTrucker

Dynasys APU is a Sponsor and supporter of CDL Drivers for the 2012 Truck Driver Social Media Convention ( TDSMC)

© 2012, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

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Technorati Tags: 2012 Mid America Truck Show, Air Flow Truck, Anti Idling Technology, Dynasys, Dynasys APU, MATS, truck driver convention, trucking social media, truth about trucking

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Professional truck drivers are finally beginning to do something that they have not done for a very long time . . . exercising their rights under employment law.  I have often written about and discussed the rights that truckers have, if only they would stand up and utilize what the law provides them.

On July 15, 2010, our Truth About Trucking “LIVE” broadcast with special guest, attorney Paul Taylor, entitled, “Forced Dispatch,” further expanded on the rights that all truck drivers have as it pertains to OSHA and how they are protected from any kind of retaliation by the trucking company, under the STAA, 49 U.S.C. Section 31105.

Most recently, Interline Logistics Group which is based out of Georgia, was ordered to pay a terminated driver over $190,000 for what OSHA determined was an act of retaliation by the company after the driver reported safety concerns with the tractor’s brakes as well as refusing to violate the hours of service (HOS) rule.  When the driver’s dispatcher told him to go and pick up a load, the driver refused due to already being over the allowed work hours. The driver was terminated for failing to follow dispatch instructions.

The legal rights of the truck driver turned out to be more powerful than the trucking company and the dispatcher discovered that you can not legally force a professional driver to violate HOS rules or to operate the CMV in a way that would violate a Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Regulation . . .  especially a truck driver who understands their rights under the law.

I can not stress enough that as truck drivers, you have rights, but you must stand up and use those rights when the motor carrier, dispatcher, terminal operator, load coordinator, CEO . . . whoever, refuses to abide by the FMCSA regulations or OSHA compliance and instead, chooses to abuse their authority over the driver.  As a driver, you have protective rights and just as recently as March 1, 2012, OSHA has stated that they are elevating their priority in ensuring “The ability of workers to speak out and exercise their rights without fear of retaliation . . .”

The Whistleblower Protection Program

The Whistleblower Protection Program prohibits any person from discharging or in any manner retaliating against any employee because the employee has exercised rights under the OSH ACT.  Such actions by the trucking company against the driver can include:

• Firing or laying off
• Blacklisting  (Such as the use of false information on the DAC Report)
• Demoting
• Denying overtime or promotion
• Disciplining
• Denial of benefits
• Failure to hire or rehire
• Intimidation
• Making threats
• Reassignment affecting prospects for promotion
• Reducing pay or hours

If you believe your motor carrier has discriminated against you because you exercised your legal rights as a professional truck driver, contact your local OSHA Office to file a complaint.

You do have rights.  Stand up, stand firm.

© 2012, Allen Smith. All rights reserved.

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Technorati Tags: employee rights, employment law, Federal Commercial Motor Vehicle Regulation, FMCSA, hours of service, osha, Paul Taylor, rights, Safety, truck driver, trucking, truth about trucking, violate, Whistleblower Protection Program