Department of Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater has announced two major actions relative to the hours-of-service (HOS) docket (see “Seaming,” Roofing Contractor, October 2000). The time for written comments has been extended to December 15, 2000, and Slater has also announced that the DOT will sponsor three “roundtable” discussions that will involve leaders from the trucking industry, organized labor and safety groups.
This postponement of rulings will result in a decision being made on the regulations well after the election and possibly after the inauguration.
The HOS rules changes proposed by the DOT have been vigorously opposed by trucking interests. If enacted as is, the trucking industry says that other industries, such as roofing, would suffer adverse affects of higher costs and diminished availability of trucking resources.
