Arkansas Best, ABF Freight System Make Job Changes

Arkansas Best Corp. and ABF Freight System Inc. recently reassigned the jobs and duties for three executive positions.According to a company news release issued late Tuesday, James Ingram, Arkansas Best vice president of market development, will add the responsibilities of strategic development. He will be vice president of strategic development and replace Chris Baltz, Arkansas Best senior vice

2010 Richmond: David Ragan NASCAR Nationwide Race Preview

Ragan on racing at Richmond International Raceway: "Richmond is always an exciting track to race at. It’s a very fast short track and racing under the lights is always fun for us as drivers and for the fans to watch. After a good run last week in Talladega, I feel like our UPS team has some momentum headed into Richmond this weekend." Crew chief Donnie Wingo on racing at Richmond International

Teamsters Launch Campaign: 'FedEx Drivers Aren't Pilots'

Effort Supports Legislation to End FedEx Loophole, Level Playing FieldGround control to FedEx: Your drivers aren't pilots. The Teamsters Union launched a campaign today to level the playing field in the package delivery industry. Through advertising, a website and videos, the Teamsters are urging Congress to pass legislation closing the loophole that gives FedEx a special status. That status

YRC returns president title to CEO

YRC Worldwide Inc. has made changes among top leadership of the company, returning the title of president to company Chairman and CEO Bill Zollars and appointing a top executive to focus on customer care.Former COO and President Tim Wicks resigned April 12 to take a job with his former employer, United Healthcare. Zollars had given him the president title in October.The company appointed Michael

Arkansas Best Corporation Announces First Quarter 2010 Results

Arkansas Best Corporation today announced a first quarter 2010 net loss of $21.4 million, or $0.85 per share, compared to a net loss of $18.2 million, or $0.73 per share in the first quarter of 2009."Despite some signs of improvement in our nation's economy resulting in the stabilization of our business, Arkansas Best's first quarter results illustrate the ongoing effects of low freight levels

Teamsters Praise Legislation To Stop Worker Misclassification

Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa praised legislation introduced today that would make worker misclassification a violation of federal labor laws, increasing penalties for companies found to improperly classify workers as independent contractors."Workers misclassified as independent contractors receive no protection from workplace health and safety laws, no legal rights to equal opportunity

FREIGHT LEADERS OVERWHELMINGLY ENDORSE ECONOMIC RELIEF PLAN

On Monday, April 19, leaders of freight local unions from across the country overwhelmingly endorsed an economic relief plan for ABF Freight System, Inc. that will protect thousands of Teamster members’ jobs and their health, welfare and pension benefits.“Local union leaders understand that we need to take a bold step to help ABF get through this terrible economy and that we must act now to

TEAMSTERS, ABF REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON PLAN TO PROTECT MEMBERS’ JOBS, BENEFITS

The Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC) and ABF management reached a tentative agreement today on a plan to provide economic relief to ABF that will protect thousands of Teamster jobs and protect workers' health, welfare and pension benefits.Details of the plan will be presented Monday, April 19 to leaders of local unions that represent ABF members. The leaders will

Teamsters Praise Passage of Bill to Stop Worker Misclassification

The Teamsters praised the passage of a Nebraska state bill making it illegal for employers to improperly classify workers as independent contractors, an egregious practice that has cost the state millions in tax revenue.Gov. Dave Heineman signed Legislative Bill 563 into law on Tuesday. Jim Sheard, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 554 in Omaha, said the Teamsters fought for nearly two years to get

UPS Freight Zone Drivers in Six States Are Now Teamsters

Teamsters Now Represent Nearly All Eligible UPS Freight WorkersA group of UPS Freight workers spanning six states have joined the nearly 12,600 drivers and dockworkers across the country covered by a Teamster contract. UPS Freight drivers voted unanimously to ratify their first-ever contract as Teamsters. With this vote, nearly all UPS Freight drivers and dockworkers enjoy the benefits and voice

YRC President Resigns

Tim Wicks, YRC Worldwide Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer, announced this morning that he has resigned.Wicks has only been in the president position at YRC for seven months and will now be leaving to return to his previous job with United Healthcare.Despite the YRC's scare of almost having to file bankruptcy last December, first quarter profits have kept the company afloat.However,

YRC Rises: Freight Volume Up in March

Trucking logistics firm YRC Worldwide today issued a first quarter update, saying freight volume picked up in March from February and January, despite inclement weather, and reiterating a view that the company is on track to produce positive pre-tax profit in the second quarter.Specifically, average shipments per workday for YRCW were 42,700 for YRC National and 33,700 for YRC Regional in Q1.In

Teamsters, ABF to begin contract talks today

Negotiations will center on possible wage, benefit concessions by the 7,000 Teamster members employed at ABF.The Teamsters union and less-than-truckload carrier ABF Freight System will begin contract negotiations today to discuss possible wage and benefit concessions by the approximately 7,000 Teamster members employed at ABF.In a communiqué posted April 6 on the Teamsters' Web site, the union

Driver uses truck to protect injured man on I-675 ramp

Crash investigators are trying to determine whether alcohol consumption contributed to a car accident at the exit ramps from eastbound U.S. 35 to Interstate 675 on Wednesday, April 7.Police have identified Craig Scott, 27, of Bellbrook, as the man injured in the single-car accident. He was flown by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital. Scott was in surgery at Miami Vallley Hospital as of noon

Key analyst raises rating for YRC Worldwide stock

Transportation stock analyst Ed Wolfe has reinstated and raised his rating for YRC Worldwide Inc. after the company filed more details about its finances with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Wolfe, of Wolfe Research, suspended guidance for investors on March 1 after YRC released only limited information about its fiscal 2009 fourth quarter. He said at the time that the lack of data caused

HOFFA, KEEGEL URGE TEAMSTER ACTION ON PENSION RELIEF IN CONGRESS

Protecting pensions and saving jobs is the top priority of the Teamsters Union, which has launched a grassroots offensive to win pension relief from Congress, General President Jim Hoffa told trustees this week.Teamster trustees from across the nation met in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the annual Trustee Education Conference to strategize about tackling the funding pressures facing all pension plans

Crisis at YRC having ripple effect on labor

YRC's troubles are taking employees, the Teamsters' freight division, and the multi-employer pension system for a wild ride.The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has seen a lot in its 107 years of existence. But in its near two-year effort to rescue troubled trucker YRC Worldwide Inc., it's a safe bet the venerable union went where it has never gone before.During 2009, as YRC's financial

Searching for Balance

The uncertain economy is wreaking havoc for less-than-truckload carriers. Declining volumes are causing unprecedented overcapacity and aggressive pricing reductions, while some shippers are shopping based primarily on price in what many experts are calling the worst market ever for the industry.These market conditions forced a number of companies to cut salaries, staff, and even 401K matches. Yet

Businesses On The Brink: Change Or Fail?

Many major companies like Circuit City and Linens 'n Things went bankrupt during the economic crisis of 2008-2009. These companies folded under high debt levels and a decline in sales. Just because some companies were able to survive the economic downturn of the past few years doesn't mean they are out of the woods yet. Companies like Blockbuster and Borders are going down with their industries,

YRC seeks court ruling to avoid $20 million payment to bondholders

YRC Worldwide Inc. is seeking a court ruling to avoid an imminent $20 million payment to bondholders who didn’t cooperate in the company’s restructuring late last year.The Overland Park trucking company Thursday filed its request for summary judgment in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., against Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas. Deutsche is the noteholders’ trustee. Full Story......