Owner-operators have protested AB5 outside ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, too
Good morning! Happy Wednesday, let’s get at it. ☕️
We’ve heard lots of commotion coming out of the Port of Oakland as another week of protests ensue - this time being relocated to a location away from the mouth of the shipping hub. Frustrated owner-operators with their livelihoods in jeopardy have held a picket line at the port and captured the attention of many industry officials. But Oakland wasn’t alone. Earlier this month, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach encountered similar protests that slowed traffic and resulted in the early closure of the dock gates.
Check out today’s featured article from Supply Chain Dive to read about the port protests that have occurred along the California coast and what owner-operators can expect as California poises itself to enforce the controversial AB5 law.
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Featured Article:
Before Oakland, AB5 protests disrupted Los Angeles, Long Beach ports - Supply Chain Dive
“Owner-operator protests against California’s AB5 labor law slowed — and, in at least one case, halted — operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach earlier this month, officials confirmed.”
Water Cooler Topics
✉️ Well, that’s a bit embarrassing - USPS Connect Local Mail, a new U.S. Postal Service program offering next-day local delivery, made less than $200 and handled only 65 parcels in its first three months of testing. The launch period, January 9 through March 31, was available at 800 locations in the state of Texas. Customers in this region are of high value to parcel carriers because of high-volume shipments. The roll-out of the system turned out to be a huge administrative cost to the USPS, totaling $531,584 out-of-pocket to startup the program. With a profit of $191 in three months, it’s safe to say that there is a bit of a forecasting gap.
💡 Don’t leave the lights on when you leave the room - rising energy costs are causing warehouse managers to reevaluate focus on operational tools such as forklifts and batteries, hoping to reduce expenses. Upgrading equipment may also mean choosing a more energy-efficient method and exploring new technologies to incorporate on a warehouse floor. Automation also seems to be of great interest to those warehouses looking to change with the times. Changing to more energy-efficient operations may also factor into long-term planning for a company that is navigating the industry’s rapidly changing standards for sustainability.
🔋 Volvo Trucks has announced its plans to construct a charging corridor for medium and heavy-duty trucks in California to be finished by late 2023. With the project underway, the president of Volvo Trucks North America, Peter Voorhoeve, has goals of inspiring longer trucking routes in the state. The corridor will consist of five new stations between Dixon and La Mirada - creating a passage between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Many fleets looking to go all-electric are concerned about the infrastructure needed to keep their vehicles in operation, and this project is meant to offset those costs for Volvo owners.
Port of Los Angeles is enduring 40 million cyber attacks per month
The majority of the cyber-attacks are originating from Russia and Europe as international adversaries attempt to disrupt the American economy. Port of Los Angeles executive director Gene Seroka has stated that the port is taking deliberate steps to stay ahead of cyber-criminals and it takes any threat of attack very seriously.
The Port of Los Angeles is responsible for handling over $250 billion worth of cargo each year - making the port an integral piece of the international commerce puzzle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is working closely with the port to improve cyber-security.
Working remotely has its pros and cons
The Covid-19 pandemic forced businesses to send a lot of workers home, and many prefer it that way. Remote work is a benefit many people in the workforce are fighting to keep, but experts warn that pushing too hard might leave you without a job.
With a looming recession, some companies may have to either close their brick-and-mortar offices or lay off the employees they have never met… a.k.a remote workers. Working remotely means that you will need to fight for visibility in your company and be very strategic in how you communicate with your team and supervisors.
Tech 📟
Supply Chain Digitization Gains Favor as Disruptions Continue - Logistics Viewpoint
“Supply chains have experienced significant disruptions in the first half of 2022, from a global pandemic to wars, rising fuel costs, and a potential recession.”
Health ⛑
Zipline bringing healthcare drone deliveries to Washington state - Supply Chain Dive
“Zipline is partnering with a not-for-profit healthcare provider to launch Washington state’s first commercial drone deliveries, according to an announcement last week.”
Owner-Operators 🚛
California Port Reopens as Protesters Moved to New Site - SupplyChainBrain
“California’s Port of Oakland has fully resumed operations after truckers protesting a gig-work law blocked access for five days and disrupted the flow of goods at the key shipping hub.”
Ports 🚢
Global Supply Chain News: Which Side will Blink in terms of Port Automation? - SC Digest
“As West coast dock workers and the ports, ocean carriers and terminals who employ them approach a month of working without a contract, automation of container handling remains probably the key issue.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Peak Season Prep: Assisted Picking Robots Offer New Level of Flexibility - Logistics Management
“At DHL Supply Chain, our comprehensive approach to innovation enables us to quickly and effectively transform our customers’ operations with automation, including during peak season.”
Network Association 🤝
Key to supply chain 'is partnerships', says Juniper Systems - Supply Chain Digital
“Juniper Systems might just be one of the biggest companies you’ve never heard of. A US multinational corporation, it manufactures networking products including routers, switches, network management software and security products.”
The Mating Game: How to maintain long-lasting tractor-trailer connections - Fleet Owner
“Tractors and trailers were built to stay a happy couple, but even simple relationships can turn messy if not given enough attention.”
Diversity 🤜🤛
The Business Case for Diversity in Trucking - Trucking Info
“When Ellen Voie established the Women In Trucking Association 15 years ago, representatives of trucking companies she would meet with about hiring practices often would tell her with a note of pride, ‘We just hire the best person. We don’t care about their gender or their ethnicity or their age.’”
Air Travel ✈️
The Air Travel Mess, Explained - Slate
“The post-COVID mess has been multiplied by several other factors.”
First on CNN: Elizabeth Warren demands airline crackdown amid travel chaos - CNN
“Air travel is a mess right now and Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding that federal regulators do something about it.”
Inflation 💸
Welcome to the Great American recession guessing game - CNN
“The Treasury Secretary says the US economy is not in a recession.”
US economy sending mixed signals: Here’s what it all means - AP News
“The U.S. economy is caught in an awkward, painful place. A confusing one, too.”
Fed set to impose another big rate hike to fight inflation - AP News
“Conflicting signs about the health of the U.S. economy have thrust the Federal Reserve into a difficult spot.”
Leadership 🏆
My Lessons in Interviewing Supply Chains to Admire Award Winners - Supply Chain Shaman
“In business conversations, the term supply chain excellence rolls off the tongue frequently in meetings, but what does it mean? My insight?”
Redwood Logistics Named 2022 Best and Brightest Company to Work For in Chicago - Globe News Wire
“Redwood Logistics (Redwood), one of the fastest-growing supply chain and logistics companies and innovators of LPaaS, Logistics Platform as a Service, announced today that the company has been named a 2022 winner for Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.”
Top 10: Supply chain & logistics colleges in North America - Supply Chain Digital
“The University of Arkansas's Department of Supply Chain Management offers an undergraduate Supply Chain Management major that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Europe’s Heat Wave Threatens Key Shipping Waterway - SupplyChainDive
“The water levels in a crucial waterway in Europe’s economic heartland are running dangerously low in the region's searing heat, posing another risk to global supply chains.”
Repair & Maintenance 🧰
Maximizing Maintenance Management in the Warehouse - MHL News
“Digital maintenance management can help you get work done faster and more efficiently.”
Apprenticeships: The sustainable way to solve tech shortage - Fleet Maintenance
“The diesel tech talent search can lead a fleet or shop in many different directions, but the most sustainable solution seems to be to grow your own techs and cultivate their development.”
Guide to digital transformation in the manufacturing industry - Plant Engineering
“As technology becomes cheaper and easier to implement, more manufacturers are forced to go digital with their production processes.”
Safety 🦺
Brazen Thief, New FC Union Effort, New Rule Changes for “Safety’ - SC Digest
“Lots of small news items in recent days relative to Amazon fulfillment centers.”
Officials Urge Caution After Viral Video Shows Humpback Whale Landing on Boat - G Captain
“Environmental agencies in Massachussetts are urging mariners to use caution when operating vessels or personal watercraft near humbpack whales after one of the mammals breached and landed on a 19-foot recreational boat near Plymouth Harbor on Sunday.”
Speed limiters won't solve the root problem - CCJ Digital
“I recently submitted comments on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Notice of Intent (NOI) to file an advance notice of supplemental proposed rulemaking on speed limiters countering the FMCSA’s premise that a speed limiter rule is neither necessary nor desired.”
Industry Forecast 📊
“It is a fact that the U.S. export containerized market is much more connected to imports than we would like it to be.”
Fleet execs struggle to gauge capacity trends ahead of peak season - Fleet Owner
“Restrained by higher entry, operating, and repair costs, excess capacity isn’t what it used to be because small trucking companies and independent drivers have retreated somewhat from the market.”
Fuel ⛽️
Weekly DOE/EIA diesel price decline is biggest since 2008 - FreightWaves
“Plunge of 16.4 cents a gallon brings 5-week total drop to more than 54 cents.”
American Politics 🇺🇸
House Republicans Press Buttigieg on IIJA Implementation - TT News
“Some aspects of the Biden administration’s guidance relating to the implementation of the $1 trillion infrastructure law lacks clarity.”
Quote of the Day:
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
— Charles Darwin, English naturalist, geologist and biologist
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for July 31, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.