7300 Clyde Park, S.W., Byron Center, MI 49315 www.mtstrans.com Phone (616) 455-8850 Fax (616) 281-7553 Breakdown 24/7 (800) 968-3188

Digest2019 Issue 4

Drug & Alcohol DatabaseCeladon Biggest Truck Company Failure in 2019Drivers of the Month!CBD Oil Use is Risky for DriversBay Logistics News Helpful Hints for Dealing with ELD ProblemsDiabetes Management, SimplifiedWays to kick tobacco to the curb!BCBS access on the goEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Connecting with your retirement plan

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INSIDE THIS ISSUEDrug & Alcohol Database Starts in 2020

One major change coming in 2020 that you may not know much about is the advent of the Federal Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Simply put, it’s a nationwide database operated by FMCSA that will be a one-stop-shop to find if a truck driver has had a positive drug or alcohol test – or a refusal to test – in the past 5 years.

Did you catch that? Five years. Used to be 3 years. More incentive to stay away from the trash that can pop you positive in a test. Any positive test or refusal from Jan. 6, 2020, onward is required to be on the list.

Carriers hiring drivers will be required to access the database for all drivers filing an application from Jan. 1 2020 onward. They’ll also be required to report positive tests (as will the company’s MRO). And the company will be required annually to pull a full report on the current fleet’s drivers for three years after this law goes into effect.

In addition to positives, the database will be updateable from the standpoint of proving the driver went through a qualified SAP rehabilitation program and completed the required follow-up testing.

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MTS Digest Page 2

In the largest ever trucking sector bankruptcy, Celadon abruptly shut down in December— leaving more than 3,000 drivers jobless and in many cases stranded with their rigs — amid an accounting scandal that prosecutors say cost shareholders $60 million.

In 2019, nearly 800 carriers went out of business, more than double the count of trucking failures in 2018, according to transportation industry data firm Broughton Capital. Celedon was a direct competitor of MTS, using much of its fleet to haul automotive. Another direct competitor of MTS – Falcon out of Youngstown – failed in early 2019.

Several factors are behind the pileup, including escalating insurance costs, on-and-off tariffs impacting the ability to get cheaper products from China, and a decline in the spot market where shippers book last-minute transportation. Even with the trucking company failures, the industry is still short 60,000 drivers to fulfill immediate need. MTS is always in search of good drivers for new business that comes available.

The New Year will bring the USMCA trade agreement – replacing NAFTA. Among its many provisions, it is designed to help US automakers – MTS’ bread and butter. A trade deal also is on the horizon with China, some of which is already kicking in. That will mean as much as $40 billion in increased farm exports from the U.S. That will further tighten trucking capacity.

Economy aside, Celadon is a little bit of a different story. That company’s failure had much more to do with accounting fraud than freight markets.

The average size of the companies that failed in 2019 increased, along with the number of company failures, according to Donald Broughton, founder of the analytics firm bearing his name. In 2018, 310 trucking companies with an average fleet size of nine trucks failed. The 795 companies that pulled the plug in 2019 averaged 30 trucks.

Still, shipping rates were stable last year, buoyed by healthy demand and trucking capacity, tightened in part by new rules requiring truckers to keep electronic logs. Such technology made trucking more efficient, in Broughton’s view. For some companies that weren’t proactive on electronic logs until forced, it was the end. They either couldn’t afford the technology or couldn’t operate legally. MTS was well ahead of that curve, having been on electronic logs since 2008.

Celadon Biggest Truck Company Failure in 2019From local and internet reports

MTS Digest Page 3Drivers of the Month!

August

Martin Transportation Systems wishes to congratulate John Costello from our Bertrand, MO terminal as Corporate Driver of the Month for August 2019.

John has been a dedicated employee with MTS since February 2018. In his nomination, Brista Clark, Bertrand Terminal Manager, stated, “Bertrand would like to nominate John Costello. John has been nothing less than amazing from his start date. He started off during spontaneous runs and has always been up for the challenges, with a smile I may say. As a current six day Indy driver, he’s very unproblematic and dependable! He’s also very considerate of dispatch and is always thinking of ways to help them out if he has the available hours to do so. We thank John for his hard work and dedication! ”

Congrats John, keep up the good work!

Other finalists who are named Terminal Driver of the Month for August include:

• Timothy Richer – Cadillac, MI• Racquel Reynolds – Detroit, MI• Adam Keib – Flint, MI• Jerry Bock – Burton, MI• Patricia Morgan – Grand Prairie, TX• Hrin Khum – Grand Rapids, MI• Dianna Anderson Carter – Indianapolis, IN• Charles Jenkins – Kansas City, KS• Michael Strang – Lansing, MI• Jimmy Gilcrease – Lima, OH• Darrell Oates – Little Rock, AR• Michael Swartz – Marshall, MI• Karen Barone – Port Huron, MI• Joseph Scott – Riverton, IL• Keith Jacquin – Spring Hill, TN• Phillip Cox – St. Louis, MO• Vicky Calhoun – Toledo, OH• Mohammand Firooz – Windsor, ON• Tony Liedtke – White Pine, TN

September

Martin Transportation Systems wishes to congratulate Jennifer Taylor from our Port Huron, MI terminal as Corporate Driver of the Month for September 2019.

Jennifer has been a dedicated employee with MTS since November 2013. In her nomination, Sheri Plant, Port Huron Terminal Manager, stated, “ Jen is a very good employee. She is very flexible when it comes to covering freight. She takes care of her equipment, writes up and follows through with the garage. She is a good driver with a good attitude! ”

Congrats Jennifer, keep up the good work!

Other finalists who are named Terminal Driver of the Month for September include:

• John Costello – Bertrand, MO• Timothy Richer – Cadillac, MI• Matthew Beekman – Detroit, MI• David Goodman – Flint, MI• Jeffrey Anderson – Burton, MI• Francis Sallee – Grand Prairie, TX• Hrin Khum – Grand Rapids, MI• Daniel Durbin – Indianapolis, IN• David Hitzelberger – Kansas City, KS• Michael Strang – Lansing, MI• Willard Vaught – Lima, OH• Darrell Oates – Little Rock, AR• John Brink – Marshall, MI• Elizabeth Sanders – Riverton, IL• Kenyatta Bellafant – Spring Hill, TN• Phillip Cox – St. Louis, MO• Paul Wilhelmi – Toledo, OH• Eric Menna – Windsor, ON• Roger Drinnon – White Pine, TN

These drivers will receive a Driver of the Month certificate, and will still be eligible in the coming months to win Corporate Driver of the Month, as long as they continue to meet the criteria. Criteria for Driver of the Month includes fuel mileage, truck operation statistics, no CSA points, no tickets, no accidents, no log issues, no injuries, no customer complaints, no SpeedGauge issues, attitude, truck upkeep, and no at-fault late loads.

MTS Digest Page 4

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Jennifer Wilson to the position of Terminal Manager in Spring Hill. She has been with MTS since 2016 as a dispatcher where she has excelled. Congratulations Jennifer!

-Human Resources Department

Order fulfillment came so natural,we knew he was destined for greatness!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

MTS Digest Page 5

CBD Oil Use is Risky for Drivers

We’re getting questions regarding the use of CBD Oil by truck drivers.

The short answer is – you’re taking a risk. CBD Oil is “all the rage” right now with folks, with a seemingly ever-growing list of symptoms it is supposed to help or cure.

CBD Oil is manufactured either from cannabis plants or their close cousin, hemp. The two plants look the same. Virtually the only difference between cannabis and hemp are the amounts of naturally occurring THC. Supposedly, CBD oil from hemp contains no THC.

The problem is, it most certainly can contain THC, depending on how it is distilled. That’s because hemp does have low amounts of THC.

Further, there is currently no FDA oversight over the manufacture of CBD, which leaves you wide open as to what else it may contain.

So let’s get right down to the question at hand: How does all this affect a truck driver who is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration?

The answer is, if you’re slathering that sore shoulder with CBD all the time, and you take a drug test and pop positive for THC, you’re going to be registered as a positive by the FMCSA. You can appeal all you want with the MRO. It’s simple in his world: FMCSA says you don’t truck with THC, or its metabolites, in your system. If you have it in your system you’re positive, with all the same consequences as if you smoked a joint.

While we’re on the subject, truck drivers with CDLs are still banned from using medical marijuana, or “legal” marijuana, in the states where that occurs. FMCSA has no loophole or otherwise consideration for the aforementioned state laws for CDL-carrying truck drivers.

By Jeff WoodDirector of Risk

MTS Digest Page 6

BAY LOGISTICS HAMTRAMCK TEAM ENJOYS A HOMEMADE FEAST AT WORK!

MTS Digest Page 7

Today as I write this, we’re recovering from a PeopleNet outage where drivers couldn’t log in or log out. This has happened in the past, and you can expect for it to happen in the future. Even with cellular communication, mass telecommunication system outages happen. Only difference now is we’re living in the ELD world. The processes we use have changed.

In the past when a driver couldn’t log out, Compliance could log him or her out of the truck, so other folks’ driving events wouldn’t be credited to the driver. If a driving event occurred, Compliance could change that log entry – no harm, no foul.

That was AOBRD in a nutshell. But in the ELD world, Compliance can no longer remove a driver from the truck. Any driving event gets credited to whoever is currently logged in. That’s the consequences of the rule the FMCSA created for us. This creates serious problems for the affected driver who is supposed to be off duty but is still logged into the truck. The driver who’s driving on someone else’s driver code isn’t affected as badly, since all they must do is run paper logs for the day and submit them at the end of the shift. But in the end, both drivers have a mess.

We need to get past the thought process that if a driver is on paper logs, he or she should stay on paper logs for the day. This creates extra work for Compliance (logs must be replicated in ELDs, then certified). Then it has the possibility to add unnecessary drive time to the previous driver who couldn’t log out.

If you are unable to log out due to a mass system outage (or a singular problem with the display), there are a couple things you can try:

• If it’s a singular problem, log in and log out on another truck or a training display. The action of logging into another truck should knock you out of the truck with the “stuck” display.

• If the truck must be used and someone else is actively logged in, try repeatedly to log out the other driver at breaks or stops. If logging out the other driver is successful, logging in would be appropriate, along with an annotation stating there was a problem logging in and the start time was whenever you started your trip. Your paper logs will verify that.

• Assuming there’s a mass system active log in/log out issue, try to use a truck where there’s not someone logged in. This helps to not create unnecessary drive time for a fellow driver who couldn’t log out.

• For a mass system outage, there is less we can do. Our only option is to annotate, and annotate well, on logs. Make a note (annotation) from the kiosk or display stating you are off duty and unable to log out due to an electronic logging system mass outage. Then the next driver can try the solutions mentioned above.

If a driver is unable to log in because of a mass telecommunication outage, paper logs are appropriate, along with notifying Compliance and Dispatch.

When the ability to log in becomes available, log in and claim the unidentified driving event that matches your paper driving record. This creates less work for both the driver and Compliance – the starting work time can easily be adjusted from the display or a terminal kiosk.

Helpful Hints for Dealing with ELD ProblemsBy Jason Wrage

PeopleNet Administrator

Unlimited strips. Unlimited lancets. It’s all free for you.

It’s all in the meter and on the house.

Personalized tips with each blood glucose check

Optional family alerts keep everyone in the loop

Real-time support when you’re out of range

Send a health summary report directly from your meter

Strip reordering, right from your meter

Automatic uploads mean no more paper logbooks

More details and how to register coming soon.

PM03120.A

Diabetes Management, SimplifiedLivongo for Diabetes is a new health benefit that will be launching soon. Livongo provides an advanced blood glucose meter, unlimited strips and lancets, and personalized coaching, 100% paid for by your employer.

Are you ready to quit using tobacco?Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Tobacco Cessation Coaching program can help

Did you know tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States? Whether you just started using tobacco or you’ve been using it for years, now is a great time to quit.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Tobacco Cessation Coaching program, powered by WebMD®, includes five calls from a health coach over a 12-week period. You can schedule your calls when they’re most convenient for you. If you need additional support, you have unlimited access to call your health coach any time. During your coaching calls, your health coach will help you work toward your goal of quitting tobacco. You also have access to many online tools through the Blue Cross® Health & Wellness site that can help you quit tobacco.

The program ends after 12 weeks of participation or after you’ve completed five coaching calls. Once you’ve completed the program, you have unlimited access to call your health coach if you need additional support. Your health coach will contact you about seven months after the program ends to check on your progress.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a nonprofit corporation and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. R045089OD 15205 OCT 15

WebMD Health Services is an independent company supporting Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan by providing health and wellness services.

Tobacco Cessation coaches are available:

Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Call 1-855-326-5102 to schedule your first Tobacco Cessation Coaching call.

All hours are Eastern Standard Time.

bcbsm.com

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

EVER!THANEASIER

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On the go. Good to go.• 24/7 mobile access to coverage and claims

• National doctor , hospital and urgent care search

• V irtual ID card

Log in through your mobile device today!

Please be assured that all information provided to the EAP is confidential.

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Martin Transportation Systems, Inc. - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Personal problems can affect the lives of employees both at home and at work. When life’s events

become challenging, we’d like to remind all Martin Transportation Systems, Inc. employees about

our Employee Assistance Program, or EAP. The EAP will supply professional counselors to counsel

employees and their families in a safe, private atmosphere—at no additional cost. All the

information disclosed will remain confidential.

Martin Transportation Systems, Inc. understands that everyone experiences periods of stress and

that some stress is normal, but if your feelings become persistent and overwhelming it may be an

indication of a serious medical problem. That is why we want to make you aware of all the

resources available to you through Martin Transportation Systems, Inc. EAP.

Magellan Health Services

Online: www.MagellanHealth.com/member

Toll-free counselor: 1-800-450-1327

TTY for hearing impaired: 1-800-456-4006 For more information regarding Martin Transportation Systems, Inc. EAP, please contact

Meghan Bultema, Benefits Administrator at (616) 455-8850 option 6 or email

meghan.bultema@mtstrans.com.

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Service Center

Enroll in the plan • • •

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First time accessing your account online?

Follow these steps to register from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. If you have other Wells Fargo accounts that you access online, you’re already registered and don’t need to follow these steps; just enter the same username and password you use to access your other accounts.

1. Go to wellsfargo.com. From a computer or tablet select Enroll at the top of the page;from a smartphone go to the main menu in the upper right corner and select Enroll inWells Fargo Online.

2. Enter the requested information.• If you don’t have another Wells Fargo account, check the box noting you don’t have

an account number.• If you do have another Wells Fargo account, such as a checking account, mortgage,

or credit card, enter the account number.

3. Answer a question to confirm your identity.

4. Enter your email address and create your username and password.

5. Check your email to complete your online registration.• Look for an email from Wells Fargo with the subject line “Complete your Wells Fargo

Online® enrollment.”• Select the Complete My Enrollment link found at the bottom of the email.• The link will open a new webpage; sign on to your account using the username and

password you just created.

6. Review and accept the online terms and conditions; after accepting, you’ll be directed to theAccount Summary page.

7. Select your plan name to access your retirement plan Dashboard. From a computer you cancustomize your Dashboard experience and sign up for electronic delivery preferences.