Industry News - Chauffeur Driven Magazine

Details: Category: Industry News; Published: 2022, October 11

Royal Woodbine Golf Club Etobicoke, Ontario

After a two-year hiatus, the Ontario Limousine Owners Association (OLOA) has set a date for the next membership meeting. Scheduled for Monday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m., at the Royal Woodbine Golf Club in Etobicoke, Ontario, the members-only dinner event will give operators the opportunity to network and discuss local industry happenings.

OLOA Treasurer Phil Bozzelli of Coporate Livery Toronto

In the meantime, the OLOA has announced elections for the coming year. According to Treasurer Phil Bozzelli of Corporate Livery Toronto, there are two director spots open with two executive directors stepping down. To date, four members have expressed interest in being a director. The association may explore the option of using an electronic ballot. If this occurs, members will be notified via e-mail.

“The next two years should be exciting with 4 new directors joining the OLOA,” says Bozzelli. “After almost three years of doing business by phone or email, a new group will join us at the meeting. Two of our long-time executives will stay on as directors at large. Their knowledge and connections are invaluable to the membership as a whole.”

Visit oloa.ca for more information.

[10.11.22]

Details: Category: Industry News; Published: 2022, October 04

Hotels Still Facing Staff Shortages: Despite surging demand from travelers, hotels are still struggling to find workers. According to a survey conducted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, 87 percent (as of August 2022) are experiencing staff shortages, which is down from 97 percent in May 2022. Not surprisingly, the dearth of workers is felt hardest in housekeeping, with more than 40 percent of hoteliers labeling it as their toughest role to fill. Respondents said they have offered higher wages—a record at more than $22 per hour on average—more benefits, and additional flexibility to attract workers. Hotels lost nearly 400,000 jobs during the pandemic, and there are currently an estimated 115,000 position vacancies.
Source: American Hotel & Lodging Association

A Four-Day Workweek: Move over, remote work. The UK is the latest country to attempt a trial at a four-day workweek—with no drop in pay for its workers—and most are finding that there has been no decrease in productivity. In fact, most firms are reporting that productivity has increased thanks to workers having a better work-life balance, less stress and guilt, and overall sense of well-being. The six-month pilot includes 70 companies and more than 3,300 workers. Fun fact: Then-Vice President Richard Nixon predicted way back in 1956 that the US economy would transition to a four-day workweek. Although his prediction didn’t come true in his immediate future, many American companies are looking at shaking up 20^th century thinking for a 21^st century workplace.
Sources: Forbes, CNN

Canada Lifts COVID Travel Restrictions: Our nation’s northern border is open for business again! Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos announced that as of October 1, travelers to Canada would no longer need to show proof of COVID vaccination, report their health information through the ArriveCAN app/website, submit to testing, or quarantine in order to travel to Canada. Masks have also become optional. The full announcement can be viewed here.
Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada, The Canadian Press

N.Y. Limousine Task Force Releases Report: The awful—and preventable—tragedy of the Schoharie crash in 2018 that claimed the lives of 17 passengers, two pedestrians, and the driver is seared into the brains of operators all over the country. The NTSB report found egregious violations and a blatant disregard for safety that had led to the vehicle being placed out of service—including a vice grip over a rear brake line—contributed to the fatal crash. Earlier this year, New York State convened a task force to study safety problems with using these larger vehicles, and if further state legislation was needed to keep the public safe. The report, which was released on September 30, recommended several actions, including improving the communication between the state’s DMV, DOT, and State Police for better policy implementation; retiring these larger vehicles at 10 years or 350,000 miles; equipping vehicles with side-impact protection such as anti-intrusion bars; and conducting a pre-trip safety demonstration with passengers similar to that of airplane travel. The full report can be read here.
Source: N.Y. State Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force

[10.04.22]

Details: Category: Industry News; Published: 2022, October 04

MCI Academy, an award-winning training program offered by motorcoach builder MCI (a subsidiary of NFI Group), is restarting its in-person classes at its National Training Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Classes began earlier this month.

The MCI Academy provides quality training for all levels of technicians in the motorcoach industry using a combination of online courses, classroom sessions, written tests, and practical skills demonstration. MCI Academy’s comprehensive educational program is geared to equip motorcoach professionals with the knowledge and skills to maintain, diagnose, and repair systems on MCI motorcoaches to maximize on-road time, passenger safety, and operator profitability.

The Academy is accredited through Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). With its ASE recertification completed in September 2022, its accreditation has been extended to 2027. MCI Academy students can earn all three Technician Certificates and complete two Specialist Diploma programs to become MCI Master Technicians.

In-person class schedule:

Technician 3: October 3-7, 2022
HVAC 101: October 11-14, 2022
Electrical 101: October 24-28, 2022
Technician 3: October 31-November 4, 2022
HVAC 201: November 7-11, 2022
HVAC 101: November 15-18, 2022
Electrical 101: December 5-9, 2022
Technician 3: December 12-16, 2022

Workforce development is a priority for MCI and its customers. Developing skilled coach technicians is critical for our operators and important to recruiting and retaining talent, and MCI Academy is meeting that critical industry need,” said Brent Maitland, VP, Private Sector Sales and Marketing. “We are not only proud to welcome students back to the classroom, but also very excited to have our program be accredited by Automotive Service Education for another five years to continue providing the industry’s premier training program.”

Visit mciacademy.com for more information about the programs as well as the 2023 schedule of classes, which will be published soon.

[10.04.22]