Guest Presentations
The MMTA invited Harold Sumerford, from J&M Tank Lines based in Birmingham, Alabama to provide the membership with real life implications of cyber security in the trucking industry. This company, along with the transportation industry as a whole, is among the top 10 industries that are targeted with cyber attacks due to relatively low security. Mr. Sumerford discussed the cyber-attack on his business and the measures that were taken to get them back to work. The effect of this attack has changed the cyber safety culture of his company and he urged other companies to take a good look at their policies to prevent this from happening locally.
Will Sehestedt, Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Trucking Associations, provided an update on the Infrastructure Bill and other legislative activity currently being discussed in Washington, DC.
Industry Updates
- California Advanced Clean Trucks Program
Work is underway, by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Program of California. This program mandates that commercial vehicle manufacturers ensure a certain percentage of their sales include zero emission vehicles from 2024 to 2035. The MMTA will be submitting comments once the Rulemaking is posted and will advise the membership how they can comment on this issue.
- Vaccine Mandate Update
A letter to Maine’s delegation was sent regarding the federal vaccine mandate and the effects on the already challenged supply chain.
- California AB5 Amicus
MMTA supports the California Trucking Association in its fight to settle the AB5 independent contractor issue by signing an amicus brief filed by 48 state trucking associations.
- Workforce Development Campaign Update
MMTA is working to further strengthen our workforce development campaign into 2022. Thus far, MMTA has received 30 applications for tuition loans for CDL school prospects through our MMTA Education Loan Program.
- EMMC Technician Demand Survey Results
There is an effort underway to encourage Eastern Maine Community College to expand their technician class offerings (diesel tech program) due to the large number of technician shortages reported by MMTA members.
- Entry Level Driver Training
Tim spoke about the February 2022 implementation of the ELDT rule and the potential impacts on people getting their CDL and/or endorsements. He also discussed the Maine Chapter 9 Rules as they relate to ELDT.
Reports
- MMTA/APTA Transportation Safety Conference summary included comments that this year’s topics were the best we’ve ever had and was a huge success and relatively well attended despite COVID restrictions.
- The next Safety Management Council meeting will be held virtually on November 18.
- MMTA is growing on social media which is used as another communication tool to connect with our members.
- The winner of this year’s Kahoot competition (replacing the TDC) was Ron Round, from Pottle’s Transportation, who also won the National Competition and brought home a total of $12,500 in winnings!
The next Board/Membership meeting will be held via Zoom on January 26, 2022.