OTA Dispatch Issue 3

7 www.ortrucking.org Issue 3 | 2018 roadside rest areas in this state…” While constitutionally protected, the goals of a Cap and Trade program are fundamentally misaligned with the intention of the highway fund. Environmentalists do not wish to see highway capacity improvements because they believe it induces motorist demand and increases the number of vehicles and their associated emissions within Oregon. They would instead prefer to divert these funds to expand public transit, fund electric vehicle incentives, promote solar power, and enhance carbon-capturing green spaces. Any program which seeks to launder highway funds to these ineligible purposes is a non-starter for the Oregon Trucking Associations. Lastly, if Oregon meets Cap and Trade benchmarks and reduces emissions to 80% of 1990 levels by the year 2050, it will not make a dent in the global greenhouse gas issue. According to their own sources, the legislature and state agencies recognize Cap and Trade would have “an imperceptible impact” on global greenhouse gas levels. Yet, this year, Cap and Trade is being touted as a long overdue, moral imperative. To prioritize such a costly burden on Oregon’s economy for so little in return insults every Oregonian who wants to see investment in our roads, improvements in our schools, and all around better management of our state dollars. With all of that said, we are continuing to engage the Legislature and Governor’s office as they formulate their respective proposals. As they say, “If you are not at the feast, you are on the menu.” If democrats prevail in November and Cap and Trade is truly inevitable this year, we will exhaust all options to mitigate any negative impacts to the trucking industry in Oregon. UPCOMING COURSES Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Trucking Industry In 2018, the #MeToo movement placed a spotlight on the issue of workplace sexual harassment. Since Harvey Weinstein, a long list of politicians, actors, producers, and CEO’s have either resigned or been terminated as a direct result of allegations of sexual harassment. Preventing sexual harassment is vital to a healthy business for a number of reasons, and not just because it’s the right thing to do. It staves off expensive litigation and future settlements, but it also prevents reputational harm in the court of public opinion. It is good for productivity and for profits. Most importantly, a robust harassment policy shows your employees that you care about their comfort, morale, and well-being. How do you accomplish a harassment-free workplace within the unique working environment of the trucking industry? This course reviews the relevant case law governing sexual harassment. It tackles how to establish procedures and policies which aim to prevent harassment in the workplace. It also focuses on intervention and investigation when harassment does occur, as well potential corrective actions that might discourage future harassment. This course is designed for management and those with authority within your organization, but all of your employees will benefit from training on this topic. Cannabis Legalization—What’s Your Company Policy? Whether you believe marijuana is a wonder-drug, or you think the ‘devil’s lettuce’ is the cause of society’s downward spiral, we all must agree that cannabis has arrived in Oregon, it is legal for medical and recreational uses, and it is very likely here to stay. When it comes to our federally regulated CDL drivers, the issue is quite straightforward. The grey areas begin to emerge as we apply corporate policies to non-driver positions such as technicians, supervisors, dispatch, customer support, or information technology staff. Does one corporate policy or employee handbook adequately address all of these different roles? If so, are your testing capabilities and current procedures up to the task of enforcing these policies? This course provides an overview of cannabis laws in Oregon and the rest of the nation. It also addresses how to identify cannabis use within your operation, as well as the testing and laboratory procedures involved when enforcing your corporate policies. This course also looks at how cannabis law intersects with employment law, ADA reasonable accommodations, and FMCSA regulations. Business Law for Truckers Motor Carriers are arguably the most heavily regulated industry in the United States. At the same time, the nation is trending toward a “gig economy” at an ever-increasing pace. More and more American workers are entering the workforce as independent contractors or freelancers. How can trucking companies comply with reams of regulations and red tape when the line between employee and contractor seems to be constantly shifting? This course deals with a wide range of business law topics including: independent contractors, family and medical leave, the Americans with Disabilities Act, intellectual property, non- compete and non-disclosure agreements, employment agreements, salary history, and more. The goal of this course is to highlight the wide range of regulatory issues facing trucking businesses, enhance understanding of the current legal landscape, and discuss the methods and best practices to ensure a strong legal posture in the unique trucking business environment. Check our calendar for upcoming class dates www.ortrucking.org/events.