Today’s Pickup: Teamsters voted out at 2 FedEx locations

FedEx Freight announced that drivers at its Croydon, PA, facility have voted to leave the Teamsters Union. This comes just two weeks after drivers in Charlotte, NC, did the same.

FedEx’s press release announcing the results only included two quotes from employees.

“FedEx is a great place to work and we are recognized around the world for our strong culture,” said Michael Gee, service center manager in Croydon.  “Our drivers recognize that we are a stronger, more cohesive company without a union.”

According to the release, Bill Agnew, service center manager in Charlotte, said the decertification vote was a vote for FedEx.

“We are proud of all the people who work at FedEx Freight and their commitment to providing outstanding service to our customers,” he said. “The decertification vote in Charlotte was a vote of confidence in the company and we look forward to working directly with our drivers as we focus on a bright future at FedEx Freight.”

Did you know?

According to the Business Continuity Institute, disruptions to the supply chain from extreme weather have increased 29% since 2012.

Quotable:

“Wow, this is finally happening? A Mercedes-Benz pickup is brought to life. I believe there is no other species of vehicles that has sparked as much creativity and emotions in humans as pickups.”

– Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler AG’s Board of Management and head of Mercedes-Benz cars, at the unveiling of the company’s X-Class pickup.

In other news:

ELD proposal may not pass

A proposal that would delay the implementation of ELDs for agricultural haulers has gained little support so far in Congress, reducing its chances of passing. (Transport Topics)

Weather risks to supply chain growing

A new report says that extreme weather is becoming more disruptive to the global supply chain, but that few executives are taking the threat seriously. (Wall Street Journal)

Vehicles prices hinge on NAFTA talks

Talks to renegotiate the terms of NAFTA could have a profound impact on the cost of vehicles in the U.S., although experts say that impact will depend on the final terms. (Transport Topics)

Amazon’s Treasure Truck arrives in Dallas

Amazon’s goal of owning everything includes circus trucks. Not the circus specifically, but rather a patented Treasure Truck that looks like a circus and carries only one unknown item into a city to be sold from the truck. (Dallas Morning News)

Tennessee infrastructure among the nation’s best

According to CNBC’s 2017 study of “America’s Top States for Business,” Tennessee, the only state listed without any transportation debt, was ranked as second in the transportation and infrastructure category and ninth overall. (The Daily Times)

Final Thoughts

The decision by FedEx drivers in Croydon, PA, to decertify the Teamsters union is a big win for FedEx. The company has been fighting union votes for years, which it claims drives up costs. The Teamsters, of course, believe they protect the rights of drivers. FedEx would prefer union-free locations. It now has one, and it’s up to them to ensure it stays that way.

Hammer down everyone!