Overdrive

March 2017 | Overdrive | 21 Logbook A California federal judge declined to deliver $80.3 mil- lion in penalties to a certified class of Walmart truckers but agreed to add $5.8 million in restitution to the nearly $55 million that a jury awarded in back wages. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston on Jan. 25 approved restitution to drivers for rest breaks, layovers and pre-trip and post-trip inspections during the one-year period ending Oct. 9, 2005. That day, she also signed an order approving the Nov. 23 verdict affecting Walmart drivers during the 10-year-period ending Oct. 15, 2015. Roughly 840 class members will receive compensation for earning less than minimum wage for rest breaks, layovers and pre-trip and post-trip inspections. However, the Arkansas-based retailer was not required to compensate for tasks such as fueling and U.S. Department of Trans- portation inspections. Illston declined plaintiffs' post-trial requests for penalties and liquidated damages. Corporate spokesman Randy Har- gove said that 90 percent of drivers have been with Walmart for more than 10 years and earn $80,000 to more than $100,000 annually. "While we still disagree with the jury's verdict in the case, we're pleased the judge declined to award any additional penalties," Hargrove said. The case began in 2008. – Jill Dunn DEPENDABLE QUALITY At home or on the road, you've come to depend on quality parts from the industry's leading brand names to keep you moving. Visit one of our national network of locally owned and operated TruckForce ® Service Centers for the quality parts you expect installed by skilled technicians. At home or on the road, you've come to depend on quality parts from the industry's leading brand names to keep you moving. Visit one of our national network of locally owned and operated TruckForce ® Service Centers for the quality parts you expect installed by skilled technicians. Find your nearest TruckForce ® Service Center in the US or Canada by visiting www.TruckForceService.com or call (800) 494-4731 Supported by these and other quality brands: Q U A L I T Y P R O D U C T S L E A D I N G B R A N D S Q U A L I T Y P R O D U C T S L E A D I N G B R A N D S Untitled-18 1 9/13/16 10:16 AM Walmart owes $60M in back pay, court rules THE DELAWARE BRIDGE, which connects the Pennsylvania and New Jersey turnpikes on Interstate 276, will remain closed at least through early April. The bridge was closed Jan. 20 after a complete fracture was found in a steel I-beam on the Pennsylvania side of the heavily traveled bridge. FLORIDA GOV. RICK SCOTT'S pro- posed state budget includes cutting $8 million in state fees, including eliminating fees that military veterans pay when they receive a commercial driver's license. Scott's budget also proposes cutting fees paid by trucking schools in half.

• Cover
• Readers: Behind-the-wheel training minimum critical.
• Pulse: FMCSA backpedals on safety proposal.
• The ELD mandate and the “House Freedom Caucus.”
• Dry bulk for the long haul.
• “Build the wall”: Majority favors Trump plan.
• Lawsuit opposes Trump order to reduce regs.
• Industry united against safety rating change.
• Court to review border policy.
• C.R. England plans to appeal fraud ruling.
• Lag growing between CDL training, skills test.
• Big-rig race series returns in new format.
• Rare 96-year-old White 5-ton finds new home.
• Reader Rigs: ’07 W900L an ice cream truck; ’14 389 a “Green Monster”; ’09 W900L a million-miler.
• BUSINESS: Make the most of your tax deductions.
• Gear Guide: Trailer brake drum, wheels, clutches, more.
• FLEET NEWS: Averitt expands in Northeast, hiring drivers.
• 5 APPS FOR THAT: Matching book lovers with recordings.
• RESPECT THE DINOSAURS: Diverse drivers united for a common goal is what it’s all about, Wendy Parker writes. Page 8.
• COVER STORY: Sleight of truck | Imagine arriving at a gate and presenting papers to pick up a load. The man in the guard shack looks confused and says you’ve already been there and that the load is gone. Heists involving false identity and other fraud ar
• Dodging the middleman: While no one service will be “Uber for all” in the fragmented brokerage market, on-demand load-matching services are seeing some success at circumventing traditional brokers and promising gains for owner-operators in rates, freight
• $25,000 awaits top owner-operator: Three owner-operators – Gary Buchs, Philip Keith and Kevin Kocmich – are finalists for the 2016 Owner-Operator of the Year award, produced by the Truckload Carriers Association and Overdrive.
• Maintaining your wheels: A pre-trip inspection for cracks and rust is usually sufficient for maintenance of aluminum and steel wheels. A few other best practices, though, can almost ensure that wheels last as long as your truck.