AAR makes frantic plea for railroads and unions to come to agreement before Sep. 16th
Good morning! It’s Positive Thinking Day. Are you ready to start the day off right?
Well, let’s start with some positive thoughts that the railroads and the unions will be able to come to an agreement in less than three days’ time. If not… on September 16th at 12:01 A.M., a labor strike will be imminent.
Check out today’s featured article from Logistics Management to read about the Association of American Railroads (AAR) dire warning to American consumers: if a strike comes, be prepared for it. ☕️
Featured Article:
AAR report highlights potential economic impact of a railroad service interruption | Logistics Management
“As the clock ticks down towards the September 16, 12:01 A.M. deadline for United States-based freight railroads and railroad labor unions to reach labor accord, a new report issued this week by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) makes the case for what is at stake should deals not be struck with the remaining unions that have yet to reach new labor deals. “
Sustainability & Customer Relations ♻️
Customers desire more environmentally-friend shipping methods, regardless of delays
A new survey from Descartes Systems titled “Retailers: Sustainability is Not a Challenge, It’s an Opportunity”, reports that a mere 38% of consumers feel retailers are actually doing a decent job using sustainable delivery operations. This number is also reflected in the 54% who say they are willing to wait for long delivery times in order for a more sustainable shipping option to be implemented.
Safety & Driver Issues 🚛
Distracted driving kills, maims, and costs
Nuclear verdicts in light of severe injury or death caused by a truck driver have fleets scrambling for better deterrents in their vehicles. Proper technology in the form of dashcam advancements are critical updates companies should adopt.
The United States tends to be a very litigious country, and whether for fear of lawsuits or for the safety of the driver and surrounding drivers on the road… the need for additional and advanced safety tech in trucks has never been as clear.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🇺🇦 Ukrainian men who work on ships are now exempt from wartime restrictions on travel. Until this decision was announced this week, all Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 years old were not allowed to leave the country. Viktor Vyshnov, deputy head of Ukraine’s Shipping Administration, has reasoned that international trade depends on the country’s grain exports, and these men need to be permitted to leave the country. (More Than Shipping)
💸 Sounds breached to me. The US Inflation Act has signaled to some in the European Union that they are violating World Trade Organization rules. Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, is analyzing what he is describing as “discriminatory elements” of the recently passed American bill. The bill heavily focuses on enhancing domestic manufacturing of electric cars instead of relying on China for battery components. (AJOT)
More to consider…
No contest! Amplify Energy Corporation has agreed to pay nearly $5 million in penalties and fines as a result of a crude oil spill in 2021 that killed birds and caused environmental damage off the coast of Huntington Beach, California. (Marine Link)
Get those drones airborne! Gas prices have continues to create challenges for deliveries and businesses are looking to launch autonomous drones into their fleets in order to fulfill their operative duties and cut costs. (Food Logistics)
Pittsburgh Regional Transit plans to go all-electric. With a goal of 2045, Pittsburgh will invest $1 billion over the next 20 years into a zero-emission bus fleet for its public transportation improvement plan. (Intelligent Transport)
Air Cargo ✈️
PIT breaks ground on state-of-the-art cargo facility, boosting freight capacity and capabilities | AJOT
AJOT shares an article Pittsburgh International Airport’s breakthrough 77,000 square-foot facility to increase its cargo handling capabilities and improve technologies available for freight capacity.
Airlines’ chaotic summer is over. These 5 charts show how it went | CNBC
CNBC contributors Leslie Josephs and Gabriel Cortes share several charts visualizing just how difficult a summer it was for airlines.
Retail 🛍
Zara Billionaire Ortega Bets on Logistics With Philadelphia Investment | Bloomberg
Bloomberg contributor Rodrigo Orihuela writes about Amancio Ortega, the CEO and founder of Zara - the apparel brand - and his recent heavy-duty investment of $148 million in a Philadelphia logistics center.
Inflation 💸
Inflation Reduction Act likely to influence trucking more than inflation | CCJ Digital
CCJ Digital Staff writes about the Inflation Reduction Act, recently passed by U.S. President Joe Biden in August, and how trucking may face the brunt of regulatory change.
Regulations ⚖️
What to Know About the Advanced Clean Fleets Proposal | Trucking Info
Trucking Info contributor Vesna Brajkovic writes about The California Air Resources Board’s proposal for the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation and when the issue will be launched into a public hearing.
Inflation Reduction Act could expedite green trucking | CCJ Digital
CCJ Digital contributor Karthik Balakrishnan, writes about the likely reduction of 30% of the country’s emissions after the Inflation Reduction Act is underway.
Fuel Tech ♻️
Industry Shows Interest in Cummins’ Hydrogen Engines | Transport Topics
Transport Topics Senior Reporter Roger Gilroy writes about Cummins Inc.'s newest entry into fuel tech - two hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines set to be ready for production by 2027.
Bosch to manufacture EV hydrogen fuel cells in South Carolina | Supply Chain Dive
Supply Chain Dive Associate Editor Megan Ruggles writes about Bosch expansion of its Anderson, South Carolina facility to produce more electric vehicle batteries.
Covid-19 😷
CNBC contributor Leslie Josephs writes about the House Oversight committee, led by two democrats, is investigating major airlines for misuse of Covid bailout funds.
Marketing Approach 📲
Edelman Trust Barometer shows importance of businesses 'speaking up' on social issues, advises Edelman CEO | Fox Business
Fox Business contributor Kelsey Koberg writes about Edelman CEO Richard Edelman’s insistence the companies should begin paying more attention to social issues.
Trade & Border Issues 🗺
EU nations struggle to find joint approach on energy prices | AP News
AP News contributor Raf Casert writes about the European Union’s mounting efforts to make an agreement on lowering the energy prices crippling the region.
Business Strategy 💡
New Inventory Problems Expose Old Supply Chain Weaknesses | Medium
Medium contributor Yossi Sheffi writes about the troubling circumstances of bloated inventories in warehouses and why they wreak havoc across supply chains.
Medicine Logistics 💉
Logistics is increasingly becoming so critical to the future of medicines | STAT Trade Times
STAT Trade Times contributor Reji John writes about the significance of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical logistics to ensure the health and safety of individuals around the globe.
Military Logistics 🪖
AVIATORS TEST NEW GLOBAL COMBAT MAINTENANCE, LOGISTICS TOOL | Home.Mil.Army
The U.S. Army is introducing new software to its unit helicopters, testing on the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division equipment.
Network Association 🤝
Working together: In sometimes-combative world of developers and municipalities, Lincoln Logistics Bayonne stands out for collaboration | ROI NJ
ROI NJ contributor Brett Johnson highlights Lance Bergstein, managing director at Lincoln Equities Group, and the company’s knack for collaboration.
Accenture buys two more tech advisory firms in supply chain expansion | DC Velocity
DC Velocity contributor Ben Ames writes about the consulting firm Accenture’s expansion to build its intelligent supply chain network.
Watch: Parcel Forum '22: A Preview | Supply Chain Brain
Supply Chain Brain shares a video giving a sneak peek of 2022’s Parcel Forum in Chicago, this upcoming October.
Repair & Maintenance 🧰
Truck and travel stops loom large in roadside breakdown business | Fleet Owner
Fleet Owner contributor Scott Achelpohl writes about how truck stops are often needed and responsible for repairs while long-haul drivers are on the road.
Roadside breakdown services: Lifelines that rescue truckers | Fleet Maintenance
Fleet Maintenance contributor Scott Achelpohl writes about app-focused roadside assistance services for truckers.
Money Matters 💰
‘Free rides’ create $155 million in lost revenue for PA Turnpike, audit shows | The Trucker
The Trucker shares an article about the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s loss of almost $104 million in uncollected tolls in 2021.
Brokerage 📞
Freight Brokers Poised to See Gross-Margin Expansion | Transport Topics
Transport Topics Staff Reporter Connor D. Wolf writes about the spot market’s 2022 normalization process.
Electric Vehicles 🔋
Tesla could start building a lithium refinery for EV batteries in Texas this year | CNBC
CNBC contributor Arjun Kharpal writes about the upcoming Texas lithium-ion plant that could come to fruition very shortly.
GM CEO Mary Barra discusses new electric Chevy Equinox and EV production plans | CNBC
CNBC provides a video interview of General Motors CEO Mary Barra as she discusses electric vehicle production plans for the company.
Rail 🚂
Massive rail strike next week could deal another blow to America’s economy | CNN
CNN Business contributor Chris Isidore writes about the potential rail strike (or preemptive) that is bound to issue another debilitating blow to the American economy.
Human Resources 📝
Manufacturing Supply Chains: Solving Workforce Challenges with Output-Based Staffing | Inbound Logistics
Inbound Logistics contributor Harold Baro writes about the workforce woes involved with sourcing work outside of the company.
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.