Business

Several notices pointing toward recovery in trucking and the economy at large are one pleasant side of the news last week.

ABF Freight System and the Teamsters union said they have reached a tentative agreement to modify the labor agreement for the company’s employees covered under the National Master Freight Agreement.

Class 8 U.S. retail truck sales gained 9.8% in March, driven by very strong performances by three original equipment manufacturers, the third month in a row that sales have increased, after falling every month in 2009.

Ocean carrier Maersk Line has again raised concern among truckers by slapping new administrative fees of up to $350 per container for damage-related costs on top of actual repair expenses.

The chairman of American Truck Dealers said the trade group will add more attention to medium-duty lines at its annual convention and exposition, scheduled for April 23-26 in Kissimmee, Fla.

TUCSON, Ariz. — Executives with two of the nation’s largest motor carriers said freight demand has jumped so fast in recent months that some sectors are having difficulty finding trucks to transport their goods. 

WASHINGTON — Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, proposed borrowing $130 billion from the Treasury Department to finance a new highway bill, which could be repaid through an increase in the federal fuel tax increase.

Transportation leaders of the United States and Mexico have taken steps toward resolving the countries’ trade dispute, which was sparked by the end of a cross-border trucking program and led Mexico to place tariffs on more than $2 billion in U.S. goods.

Recovery in the medium-duty truck market gathered strength in March, as overall U.S. retail sales in Classes 3-7 increased for the fourth consecutive month, according to WardsAuto.com.