OSHA releases update regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandate OSHA releases update regarding COVID-19 vaccine mandate Information follows Friday court decision on OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard Pam / Monday, December 20, 2021 0 2573 Article rating: 4.3 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released an update on the “COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing” Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) in the wake of Friday’s federal court ruling reinstating the Biden administration’s mandate for vaccination or testing. The ETS applies to employers with 100 or more employees companywide. It states that “covered employers must develop, implement and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless they adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at work.” OSHA's statement addresses providing employers time to come into compliance with the ETS requirements. Read more
ATSSA offers resources as vaccine mandates pose challenges ATSSA offers resources as vaccine mandates pose challenges Online resources aid understanding of changing requirements, legal status Pam / Wednesday, December 15, 2021 0 2646 Article rating: 5.0 Two years into the global pandemic, businesses face ongoing challenges and uncertainty brought on by COVID-19. Supply chains are impacted. Workforce issues confront employers of all sizes. And vaccine mandates threaten to intrude on daily operations. As mandates make their way through the courts, companies are in limbo as they seek to navigate the maze of rules and regulations across the country and at every level of government. With that in mind, ATSSA assembled key documents and resources to assist members. Read more
Smith: ATSSA members’ diligence made a difference with IIJA Smith: ATSSA members’ diligence made a difference with IIJA ATSSA Town Hall breaks down details of the infrastructure bill Pam / Thursday, November 18, 2021 0 2889 Article rating: 2.0 ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith told ATSSA members today that their diligence over the past 15 to 20 years played a significant role in the funding coming to roadway safety under the new infrastructure law. “You all should pat yourselves on the back,” Smith said during an ATSSA Town Hall to discuss the impact of the bipartisan infrastructure bill that was signed into law on Monday. “This is a job well done.” The $1.2 trillion measure is a historic investment in transportation funding and includes a 5-year, $304 billion investment in roads and bridges, Smith said. He noted that’s a 34% increase over current spending for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and translates into $16.8 billion over five years for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Smith said he’s confident the HSIP funding will mean additional opportunities for ATSSA members. Read more
US Court of Appeals sets oral argument date for FCC case US Court of Appeals sets oral argument date for FCC case Pam / Monday, November 15, 2021 0 2043 Article rating: No rating The U.S. Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments on Jan. 25 in the case of multiple transportation organizations to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) order to redistribute a portion of the safety spectrum. The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) appealed the FCC’s Nov. 18, 2020 order to reallocate a portion of the 5.9 GHz spectrum band to unlicensed uses including WiFi. The FCC voted unanimously to reallocate more than half of the safety band. The new rules adopted by the FCC make the lower 45 megahertz (MHz) of the spectrum available for unlicensed uses and require Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) licensees to stop using that portion of the spectrum within a year. Read more
ATSSA CEO thanks House members for their leadership in infrastructure vote ATSSA CEO thanks House members for their leadership in infrastructure vote Tetschner commends all in Congress for acting to make America’s roads safer Pam / Monday, November 15, 2021 0 2351 Article rating: No rating ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner issued the following statement today after President Joe Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) into law. “With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) now signed into law, it is important to recognize the members of Congress that stepped up for our country and did the job we asked them to do. “The IIJA is a bipartisan success story, which is something that has become a rare sight on Capitol Hill. However, despite this legislation having support on both sides of the aisle, other members of Congress have taken the opportunity to attack those that stood up and voted to pass this legislation. I specifically want to acknowledge 13 Republican members of the House of Representatives." Read more
ATSSA Town Hall on infrastructure package set for Nov. 18 ATSSA Town Hall on infrastructure package set for Nov. 18 Pam / Thursday, November 11, 2021 0 2093 Article rating: 5.0 ATSSA will host a Town Hall next Thursday to discuss the infrastructure package recently approved by both houses of Congress. The Town Hall will be led by ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith and answer the question: What does it mean for ATSSA members? The Senate approved the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in August and the House of Representatives approved it late Friday. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the legislation soon. Read more
ATSSA joins 100-plus groups urging House members to support infrastructure bill ATSSA joins 100-plus groups urging House members to support infrastructure bill Pam / Tuesday, September 21, 2021 0 3116 Article rating: 2.0 ATSSA was among 110 groups today sending a letter to all members of the House of Representatives, encouraging them to vote for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which passed the Senate in bipartisan action. The IIJA “represents a historic opportunity to provide substantial economic and quality of life enhancements to communities across the country and to build for the future,” the letter states. “The investments made in the package would facilitate long overdue repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges, rail, and public transportation, and other critical infrastructure, such as airports, ports, broadband, energy, and water systems.” The infrastructure bill includes a 5-year reauthorization of federal highway, public transportation and passenger rail programs, which the groups note would “ensure states and localities have much-needed funding and policy certainty to proceed with planned projects.” Those projects are currently operating under a funding extension set to expire Sept. 30. Read more
ATSSA’s 2021 Midyear Meeting gets underway in Missouri ATSSA’s 2021 Midyear Meeting gets underway in Missouri Pam / Tuesday, August 17, 2021 0 3114 Article rating: 5.0 ATSSA’s 2021 Midyear Meeting kicks off this afternoon in Kansas City, Mo. More than 300 people have registered for the event that runs through Friday and is being held in hybrid fashion with some attending in person at the Loews Kansas City Hotel and others taking part online. The week includes the first meeting of the Roadway Worker Protection Council, which takes place Wednesday and evolved from a Roadway Worker Protection Summit held during this year’s Convention and Traffic Expo. Read more
New federal rule for entry-level CDL training goes into effect in February New federal rule for entry-level CDL training goes into effect in February Pam / Tuesday, August 3, 2021 0 120972 Article rating: 4.0 New federal requirements for entry-level driver training for the commercial driver license (CDL) go into effect on Feb. 7. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations for entry-level driver training (ELDT) for CDL licenses were mandated under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 Century Act (MAP-21). ELDT regulations establish the baseline for training required for entry-level drivers. They apply to anyone: seeking a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time upgrading an existing Class B CDL to Class A CDL obtaining a first-time school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazardous materials (H) endorsement. Read more
Final action on a Senate infrastructure package could be a week away Final action on a Senate infrastructure package could be a week away Pam / Thursday, July 29, 2021 0 3456 Article rating: No rating Senate action Wednesday night on a bipartisan infrastructure package starts the clock on the issue but a final vote on the Senate floor could be at least a week away. The Senate voted 67-32 Wednesday night to proceed to debate on the bipartisan infrastructure package that has been agreed to by a group of 22 Republican and Democrat senators, known as the G-22. Seventeen Republican senators voted to advance the measure. The Biden administration also supported it. If passed, the legislation would then head to the House, where members of both parties have expressed concerns with the package as constructed. Read more
22Jun2022 ATSSA strongly opposes President Biden’s gas tax suspension proposal Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Read more