Transport Topics- A federal appeals court panel on December 17 allowed President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for larger private employers to move ahead.

The 2-1 decision by a panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reverses a decision by a federal judge in a separate court that had paused the mandate nationwide.

Approximately one hour after the Sixth Circuit’s order, ATA filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court seeking to reinstate the stay

Associated Press- The Occupational Health and Safety Administration said Saturday that it would not issue citations tied to its coronavirus vaccination mandate before January 10, so that companies have time to adjust to and implement the requirements.

The federal agency separately said there would be no citations of companies regarding its testing requirements before February 9.

Transport Topics- The Biden administration is launching a multifaceted program in partnership with industry that aims to expand recruiting efforts in trucking through various efforts, and elevate the appeal of what one senior administration official described as “well-paying, solid careers.”

The Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan emphasizes, among other things, apprenticeship programs like one that was included in the $1 trillion infrastructure bill approved by Congress in November, as well as enhanced efforts to recruit former members of the military for trucking careers.

Freight Waves- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will be proposing new rules in 2022 affecting ELDs, automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems and roadside inspections, according to the Office of Management and Budget.

The Biden administration’s latest agenda on regulatory and deregulatory actions published last week included four proposals that are currently in the pre-rule stage at FMCSA, with formal notices scheduled to be issued between March and June next year.

The Trucker- Many in the trucking industry are heralding the proposed Highway Accident Fairness Act as a way to improve the safety of truckers and motorists on the nation’s highways.

The recently introduced bill would also “better protect trucking companies from the financial burdens of defending against or settling fraudulent insurance claims resulting from staged collisions.”

The MTA office will be closed December 24 and 27 for Christmas as well as December 30 and 31 for New Year's Eve.

Mileage Matters will not be published December 28; it will resume January 4, 2022.

Visit mitrucking.org to order compliance books and forms.

Happy Holidays & Safe Travels!
Freight Waves- Fourteen Republican U.S. senators have asked President Biden to exempt Canadian truck drivers who cross the U.S.-Canada border from a fast-approaching vaccine mandate for foreign essential workers in January, saying the requirement will disrupt the North American supply chain.

The letter also called on the Biden administration to work with the Canadian government to exempt truckers from that country’s reciprocal vaccine requirement — also taking effect in January. 

CNN- One of the more insidious myths this year was that young people didn't want to work because they were getting by just fine on government aid. People had too much money, went the narrative.

Only trouble is, the numbers don't back it up.
Instead, early retirement — whether forced by the pandemic or made possible otherwise — is playing a big role in America's evolving labor market.

Transport Topics- The Biden administration on December13 released a federal strategy to build 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles across the country and bring down the cost of electric cars with the goal of transforming the U.S. auto industry.

Happy Holidays from Quick-Way!
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