MCAA Business Meeting

After a short introduction, MCAA President Mike Gualtieri gave a review of 2009 and a forecast of what's to come.

He said the association remains financially solid and predicted the membership will incur an increase over the next year. After announcing membership revenues around $400,000, Gualtieri said his association is in good shape heading into 2011. Also during the state of the association portion of the meeting, he said more emphasis will be placed on state associations in the coming months. With legislation in the works that could potentially harm courier companies regarding the classification of independant contractors, many same-day delivery professionals are banding together to create advocacy groups at the state and federal levels.

Rob Hulteng, an attorney with Littler Mendelson, took the stage to explain the current culture of litigation for independent contractors and employee drivers. He spoke of numerous cases around the country in which rulings differed by the location of the courier company. Hulteng said Texas and California have become favorable locales while Massachusetts and other areas of New England have not.

Possibly the biggest announcement of the meeting came during Datatrac's Garland Duvall speech. He announced a partnership between SCI, Datatrac and Courier Board that would allow independent contractors to expand their business. Starting June 1, the move will put Datatrac software in the devices of SCI while coordinating with Courier Board to maximize scheduling and minimize costs. More information on the announcement will be released later during the convention.

And of course, we will post it here when it becomes available.

The MCAA Business Meeting came to an end with the induction of Bill "Mr. Courier" Goodman into the Courier Hall of Fame. After serving the industry for more than 60 years, Presenter Gil Carpel introduced Goodman to the audience.

"I hope I'll be a worthy member of the Hall of Fame," Goodman told the crowd after a standing ovation. "And I'm not giving up...I'll see you guys next year."

More to come.

Vincent Brennan
Assistant Editor