NIT LEAGUE ACCUSES TSA OF UNDERMINING OSRA REFORM

   The National Industrial Transportation League has accused the
Transpacific Stabilization Agreement of undermining the objectives of the
soon-to-be enacted Ocean Shipping Reform Act.
   In a letter to TSA’s executive director, Albert A. Pierce, NIT League
president Ed Emmett said his group has learned that the TSA’s office in San
Francisco made inquiries regarding service-contract negotiations between
TSA’s individual carriers and specific shippers.
   Emmett said that the TSA has sought information from member carriers
pertaining to contract rate matters, including whether one or more of the
group’s members should waive applying a peak-season shipping surcharge for
1999.
   Emmett said "this conduct completely undermines the intent and spirit"
of the reform law, which takes effect May 1. "We believe OSRA plainly seeks
to facilitate contracting negotiations and relationships, without undue
influence from ocean carrier agreements."