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Spokesmen for two of the nation’s major railroads — Norfolk Southern and CSX — conceded that their service has “just not been good enough” in the wake of their split-up of Conrail. However, both companies insist things were improving. But some intermodal trucking companies suffered along with the two railroads, as shippers turned to over-the-road truckers.

Some union members were stunned that top Teamsters leadership presented a tentative labor contract with Anheuser-Busch Inc. in such glowing terms. Critics of the contract — which covers bottlers, distillers, truck drivers and mechanics at Anheuser-Busch's 12 U.S. breweries — say it differed little from two other versions that the members rejected last year.

Citing the increased use of information technology within the industry, American Trucking Associations has created a new policy committee devoted to the issue. ATA’s board of directors voted June 18 to create a new Technology & Engineering Committee that incorporates the current Technology Advisory Committee and the engineering component of the Safety & Engineering Committee.

More than 250 members of Congress want the Clinton administration again to delay allowing Mexican truckers the unfettered access inside the United States. Lawmakers and labor leaders said Thursday many Mexican trucks remain unsafe and there are not enough inspectors along the U.S.-Mexico border to check all the vehicles carrying goods for the American market.

In a continuation of the yo-yo-like gyrations that many analysts said were over, the national average price of diesel fuel has risen 2.3 cents a gallon over the past two weeks, after dropping 2.4 cents over the previous four weeks.

Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater declared his commitment to working with American Trucking Associations to reduce truck-related fatalities, despite criticism from safety groups. "While some have criticized the department for working in partnership with ATA, I do not apologize for that," Slater said in a June 17 speech to the group’s board of directors.

Jurisdiction over truck and bus safety should remain within the Federal Highway Administration, Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater said. In a June 18 speech to American Trucking Associations board of directors, Slater said the department’s goal of cutting in half the number of truck-related fatalities over the next decade would best be achieved by beefing up existing programs.

During separate forums hosted by the American Trucking Associations, lawmakers offered leaders feedback — and praise — on key industry topics. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) called for a delay on an ergonomics rule, while Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) raised the industry for its role in passing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century.

The Teamsters union and Anheuser-Busch, which have been locked in an often acrimonious labor dispute since November 1997, have agreed to terms of a five-year contract. The St. Louis based brewery committed in the agreement to keep all eight of its breweries open for the life of the contract.

TT File PhotoThe House late Wednesday approved a transportation spending bill for 2000 that authorizes $27.7 billion for highways, a 9% increase over 1999. The measure also puts $105 million into the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program, which funds roadside inspections.