Threats of union strikes stress land, sea, and air cargo
subscribe to the daily
-
subscribe to the daily -
Good morning! It’s World Chocolate Day and we’re down to celebrate. Grab a sweet treat and enjoy. 🍫
Workers associated with labor unions are tired of inflation affecting their wages. Employees in the logistics sector and other front-line workers were tasked with keeping the economy running during strict Covid-19 lockdowns - they would like to be recognized for that hard work. Organized labor unions from the sky to the sea are threatening strikes amid ongoing contractual obligations with their employers.
Check out today’s featured article from AJOT to read all about the ongoing issues in the logistics industry regarding unionization and wages. ☕️
Sad Good Vibes GIF By Slow Dancer via GIPHY
Featured Article:
Labor unrest disrupts supply chains from sky to sea | AJOT
“Each wave of supply shock to hit the global economy during the pandemic seems to produce a different scapegoat.”
Water Cooler Topics
⛽️ Walmart will now be issuing a pickup and fuel charge to their suppliers as the costs of transportation continue to escalate. Beginning August 1st, the big box company will launch its “Collect Pickup Program” for its giant retail network of suppliers, aligning with rising fees to keep the costs from being transferred to the customers. The uncharge will depend on daily fuel price changes and geographic locations.
🌰 Almonds straight from California are now stranded at European, Chinese, and Indian ports - a billion pounds worth. California produces roughly 82% of the world’s almonds and as a result, the state’s harvest produced 2.8 billion pounds in 2022. However, due to drought and supply chain constraints, foreign shipping vessels have legged compared to previous years with picking up shipments. The good news? Almonds have a self-life of almost two years.
🔋 Toyota has finally hit a long-time goal for electric-vehicle sales and plans to phase out tax incentives for prospective buyers. Other major electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla and GM have also phased out these tax incentives. Toyota has now sold 200k plug-in electric vehicles in Q2. Those who are against the tax incentive claim that this tax only favors wealthy individuals and that the government should not keep subsidizing the purchase of EVs.
“Buy Now, Pay Later” options are being utilized for everyday expenses at an alarming rate, concerning economists further
Inflation and rising prices have consumers struggling to pay for basic necessities, such as groceries and gas. “Buy Now, Pay Later” options are growing in most markets and lack regulatory oversight, leaving consumers in the Wild West of a new credit system. Using these methods often requires no credit check and zero-to-little interest.
While ”Buy Now, Pay Later” was originally an option made for big-ticket items, the trend in usage for everyday items is troubling.
Alexandria, Virginia provides free bus rides to all residents in push to better market public transit
The transit service, DASH, in Alexandria, Virginia is offered to residents - free of charge. The Alexandria City council member, Canek Aguirre, made the push for the move during the early Covid-19 days. Now, two years later, the buses remain free.
The movement has enhanced public perception of DASH, due to state and regional funding that has been used to create a better service for riders.
Inflation 💸
Inflation in 2022: Is the Bullwhip Effect to Blame for Retail Inventory Glut? | Logistics Viewpoints
“Last week I saw a news headline from the Washington Post stating Michael Burry’s ‘Bullwhip’ Tweet Deserves Serious Attention.”
Auto Workers Hold the Cards as U.S. Recession Looms | Supply Chain Brain
“General Motors skirted a strike this week that could have affected the production of some of its most profitable vehicles.”
The US economy has a momentum problem | CNN
“If you’re reading this it means you’ve made it through the worst first half of a year for US stocks in more than 50 years. Congratulations.”
TMS 🖥
Data-Driven Decision Making: Real-Time Transportation Market Intelligence | Talking Logistics
“How can companies unlock new value in transportation management? By becoming more data driven in their decision making.”
Industry Forecast 📊
FTR Shippers Conditions Index sees best reading in nearly two years | Logistics Management
“Following a month that fell to its lowest level on record, the most recent edition of the Shippers Conditions Index (SCI), for the month of April (the most recent month for which data is available), which was issued by freight transportation consultancy FTR, jumped to its best reading going back to September 2020. “
Why Trucking May Not Be a Leading Economic Indicator This Cycle | Trucking Info
“Inflation, Inventory Bullwhip, Stagflation, Recession… there’s no shortage of negative headlines.”
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
Ukraine doubts deal to unblock grain exports will happen soon | AJOT
“Ukraine’s top diplomat cast doubt on a near-term breakthrough in talks to unblock crop exports from the war-ravaged nation’s Black Sea ports, as fears of a global hunger crisis intensify.”
How flowers are 'put to sleep' for long sea voyages | BBC
“On arrival at Kenya's biggest seaport, Mombasa, the container is loaded onto a ship for a voyage to Europe of around 30 days.”
Electric Vehicles 🔋
The Futuristic Vehicles That Could Compete With EVs | Oil Price
“While electric vehicles currently dominate the green transport market, they are by no means the only clean transport technology being developed.”
Fuel ⛽️
Diesel prices fall with demand, but could rise with summer travel | Fleet Owner
“Diesel dropped 6 cents to $5.726 per gallon amid decreased demand, according to motor club AAA, but summer travel could make that relief short-lived.”
Leadership 🏆
55 Supply Chain & Logistics Experts You Should Follow on Social | The Logistics of Logistics
“Prior to the pandemic, most folks who weren’t in the industry didn’t give much thought to global supply chains.”
“As an always-on, digital age and a disruptive industry landscape continue challenging the way we think about supply chain; women leaders are working to build the chain back smarter.”
Artificial Intelligence 🤖
Vertical Focus Electronics - Inbound Logistics
“South Korean technology company LG Electronics unveiled a new delivery robot that can serve both indoor and outdoor environments, which could be a game-changer for contactless delivery and services.”
Innovators Continue to Shape the Last Mile. What’s Next? | Supply Chain Brain
“Travel bans, flight cancellations, lockdowns: it’s hard to forget how the pandemic slowed down supply chains and logistics operations around the world. And the impact was statistically measurable.”
States Adopt Digital License Plates for CMVs | TT News
“Digital license plates are a reality for heavy trucks in California and Arizona as Texas becomes the latest to adopt this innovative technology, but only for some commercial vehicle fleets.”
Ports 🚢
“Even though the current contract has expired, the ILWU and PMA said on July 1 that negotiations on a new deal will continue to move forward.”
Business Strategy 💡
Direct Materials: Making the Right Moves to Stay Competitive | MHL News
“A new approach to direct materials management can help companies capture the value they’re overlooking.”
See change as opportunity, Oracle tells supply chain chiefs | Supply Chain Digital
“Multinational computer tech giant Oracle has published a paper exploring ways supply chain chiefs can ‘turn change into opportunity’.”
Significant hurdles | Seths Blog
“If your plan, your idea or your art doesn’t involve any significant hurdles in moving forward, it’s probably not worth that much.”
Customer Relations 🤝
The promise and challenge of multi-client fulfillment for e-commerce | McKinsey
“A multi-client fulfillment model could help third-party logistics providers gain competitive advantage, but it also poses challenges—here’s how they can be overcome.”
Maintenance & Repair 🧰
Why some fleets opt to outsource maintenance | Fleet Owner
“Fleet needs, service provider capabilities, and data are driving maintenance decisions. Here’s how some fleets are finding the right balance.”
Owner-Operators 🚛
AB5 case denied by Supreme Court; what’s next? | Landline Media
“The U.S. Supreme Court announced on June 30 that it denied the California Trucking Association’s petition for a hearing over the state’s Assembly Bill 5.”
Marketing Approach 🤳
Why personalization is more important than ever for brands | Smart Brief
“Personalization is a key way for marketers to delight customers, whether that’s through personalized products, experiences, shopping journeys, content or ads.”
Quote of the Day:
“Step out of the history that is holding you back. Step into the new story you are willing to create.”
— Oprah Winfrey, media proprietor
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.