Truckers say port strike still growing

[Cybergal]

Truckers say port strike still growing
4/3/08

TAMPA - Independent truckers continued their strike Wednesday across from the entrance to the Port of Tampa to protest the high cost of doing business.
David Santiago, a trucker for 17 years, said the work action was growing.
More truckers showed up Wednesday morning than the 55 Tuesday who parked their rigs in the parking lot across from the port. Many of them came in cars Tuesday to save on gas and because of the limited area for parking.

The independent truckers, who are saying that high operating expenses have made it difficult for them to make a living, were refusing to haul goods from the port. Diesel prices have reached $4 a gallon in recent weeks.
Fernando Cid, who has been driving trucks for 27 years, said he thinks the movement is growing. "I truly believe this is going to get big across the country," said Cid. "We've got to stick with it."

Several freight contractors called some truckers to say they will raise the fuel refund rate, but he told his fellow drivers to be wary of any promises.
"I told them it will go back down after a couple of days," Santiago said.
Poll: Florida pro-business
ORLANDO - Florida placed second in a poll testing the business-friendly attitudes among the 50 states.

The second-place ranking was an increase from third place in 2007 and seventh in 2006.
The Chicago-based Pollina Corporate Real Estate today released the results of its 2008 Top 10 Pro-Business States study, which began in 2004.
The study evaluates 29 factors pertinent to each state's efforts to be pro-business. http://www.bradenton.com/business/story/506584.html