Feb
5
New Bill Bans Truckers from Additional Rest Periods
A new bill proposed to the House this week contained a fine print clause banning states from giving truckers additional rest periods needed due to safety reasons. The bill, mainly about aviation, bans 22 states from enforcing longer or more frequent rest breaks at the state level. Opponents of the policy believe that the bill would lead to companies pressuring their drivers to stay on the road regardless of fatigue. The clause has been previously introduced to the House and denied, and opponents feel that burying it within an aviation bill was a deliberate attempt to skirt the previous ruling. Rich Pianka, general counsel for the American Trucking Associations, recognizes that the call for the ban is simply about one thing: money. After implementing a decade’s worth of safety initiatives for drivers, the bill would be a step backwards in the goal for industry safety standards. Read more…
Nestlé Admits to Discovering Slavery in Overseas Supply Chain
After an investigation into its own supply chain, Nestlé has publicly announced that forced labor was found in its seafood process in Thailand. It’s a known fact that Thai supply chains are riddled with forced labor and slavery, and after conducting an intense investigation, Nestlé announced that its cat food brand ‘Fancy Feast’ was being produced using forced labor. Industry experts has referred to Nestlé’s announcement as ground-breaking for the industry, and sets a new standard for supply chain efficiency worldwide. Previous to the discovery in Thailand, Nestlé was accused of using child slavery in coca farms in the Ivory Coast, and is currently facing legal action. Read more…
Toyota Discontinuing Scion Brand
Toyota’s chic upstart brand, Scion, is officially being discontinued, starting as soon as August. The brand was originally created with the intent of helping Toyota connect with younger buyers, which the company says it is no longer having problems doing. Scion was created over 13 years ago for ‘finicky’ buyers that aimed to be different from their parents and pursue a modern, funky car to fit their style. After the recession of 2009 and recent acceleration issues with Toyota, demand had tapered and the line has gradually thinned. Today’s youth has also evolved and no longer desires to differ from their parents and would prefer the reliable parent brand over an offshoot. A few of the Scion models will continue into the 2017 model year, but the main tC coupe will be discontinued after the 2016 model year. Read more…