UPS refused exemption from challenging FMCSA driver training rule
Good morning! It is International Day of Clean Air Day 🌬 go get a breath of fresh air.
The United Parcel Service has requested an exemption from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s entry-level driver training rule, hoping to waive the requirement that training instructors have at least two years of experience under their belt. And again, the FMCSA has denied the request. UPS claims that there is too much turnover in training positions - in fact, only 38% of those hired stay on board long enough to meet the FMSCA requirement.
Check out today’s featured article from Land Line Media to read about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s denial of the United Parcel Service’s request for exemption and what this might mean for deliveries to your home. ☕️
Featured Article:
FMCSA denies UPS driver training exemption | Land Line Media
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has once again denied a request from the United Parcel Service for an exemption from part of the entry-level driver training rule.”
Electric Vehicles & Fuel Sustainability ♻️
Rolling blackouts and heat brutalize California’s energy grid
Very shortly after announcing a ban on new gas-powered vehicles and encouraging electric car implementation, California’s electric grid is suffering one of its hottest and crippling summers on record. With temperatures climbing in the triple digits, the threat of rolling blackouts and the warning by officials to not charge electric vehicles at specific times of the day or over the weekend have many Californians puzzled and stressed.
Wildfire danger is a major concern for the state and threatens its energy grid - which operates on a blend of solar and natural gas during most of the hours of the day.
Inflation 💸
Continually raising federal minimum wage will not solve the cost of living problem
The federal minimum wage is $15 per hour, by executive order of President Biden in the spring of 2021. Many argue that the resulting inflation has made the benefits of a higher minimum wage moot and that $15 per hour can go much further in places like Mississippi and Louisiana than in California or New York.
Experts say that minimum wage hikes tend to hurt small businesses, as they are forced to cut available job positions. They advise that the American public should stop demanding minimum wage increases before they get ahead of themselves.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
🇮🇳 India knows an opportunity when it sees one. Asia’s third-largest economy is on a mission to compete with the likes of the United States in the manufacturing landscape, hoping to overtake China’s spot. Both Europe and the United States have shifted orders to India-based manufacturers as the holiday season approaches. (Supply Chain Brain)
⚖️ Biden is allowing Trump-era tariffs to continue… for now. Tariffs leveled by the Trump Administration against Chinese merchandise imports are still under review, although the extension was approved after an official letter from businesses advocates of the tariffs was received at the Office of the US Trade. By law, tariffs automatically expire four years after they were imposed unless otherwise stated. (AJOT)
⛽️ Europe unwillingly says bye-bye to Russian natural gas. After years of heavily relying on natural gas pumped from Russia’s state-owned exporter Gazprom, Europe is now struggling with the potential of a crippling economy and difficult winter as the pipeline is shut off to Germany. European Union officials are accusing Russia of “energy blackmail”. (AP News)
More to consider…
Chewy, the pet supply retailer, is expanding its fulfillment center network. The growth comes after soaring e-commerce demand encourages the company to open its third automated warehouse in Reno, Nevada. CEO Sumit Sing spoke on a Q2 earnings call about how more fulfillment centers are cutting the costs of shipping. (Supply Chain Dive)
Get ready… there might be a strike. UPS and the Teamsters Union are preparing for talks over labor contract negotiations, which are set to expire in the spring of 2023. Regardless of preparation, drivers and package handlers are already hinting that they will strike, threatening 6% of the nation's gross domestic product that is moved in UPS trucks. (CNN Business)
Asia wins Russian oil while Europe suffers major cut-backs. Germany, the biggest importer of Russian oil in the European Union, has purchased 19 billion euros worth of Russian fossil fuels from February through August of 2022. Last week, Russia abruptly shut off natural gas flow to the European Union and claimed that it would not be returned until sanctions were removed. Sanctions were originally put in place as condemnation for invading Ukraine earlier this year. (AP News)
Sustainability ♻️
The long and winding road to decarbonization | Supply Chain Management Review
Supply Chain Management Review contributor Bob Trebilcock writes about the push to decarbonize the supply chain and what different sectors are doing to make it a reality.
Warehousing 📦
Amazon Closes, Abandons Plans for Dozens of U.S. Warehouses | Supply Chain Dive
Supply Chain Dive shares an article from Bloomberg the news that Amazon is abandoning several large distribution center warehouse projects due to slowing sales growth.
How to Find the Right Facility for Your Supply Chain Needs | All Things Supply Chain
All Things Supply Chain gust blogger writes about what a firm needs to consider when choosing where to operate in terms of warehouse selection.
Company Culture 🎉
Training Employees to Create a Strong DE&I Culture? | MHL News
MHL News shares the story of Janine Yancey, the CEO of Entrain, and how she implemented a DE&I culture in her company for her employees.
Industry Forecast 📊
The Prediction: By 2025 50% of all manufacturers will have extended visibility to Tier-3 supply | Supply Chain Movement
Supply Chain Movement shares an article explaining the prediction that by 2025, 50% of all manufacturers will have full open clarity with Tier-3 supply for more supply chain agility.
Repair & Maintenance 🧰
Best practices to optimize engine oil drain intervals | Fleet Owner
Fleet Owner contributor John Hitch writes about the importance of engine oil drain intervals and why they’re important for maintaining your truck’s operating quality.
Finding the root cause of: a DPF inefficiency fault code | Fleet Maintenance
Fleet Maintenance contributor Seth Skydel writes about a DPF inefficiency fault code that is plaguing technicians.
American Politics 🇺🇸
Red wave or blue line? Biden, Trump start sprint to midterms as Democrats hope to defy history | Yahoo News
Yahoo News contributor Susan Page from USA Today writes about the chances of Democrats winning in November’s midterms.
Trucker’s Lounge 🧢
Pallet handling in wine country | Supply Chain Management Review
Supply Chain Management Review contributor Bob Trebilcock writes about his experience interviewing Kent Mann, vice president of operations for the family-owned winery Trinchero, the 2nd largest wine company in North America
Peak Season 🎁
Making Holiday Shipping Easier, Faster, and More Reliable | SupplyChainBrain
Supply Chain Brain Contributor Bill Catania writes about the upcoming holiday season and what shipping firms are doing to make the delivery of products more reliable for consumers.
Sales 🧾
How Consumer Price Hikes Impact Fleet Operating Costs | Supply Chain Brain
Supply Chain Brain Contributor Brian Antonellis writes about the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases over the last several weeks and what this could mean for fleets trying to minimize their operation costs.
Business Strategy 💡
Supplier innovation puts the 'value' into supply chains | Supply Chain Digital
Supply Chain Digital contributor Sean Ashcroft writes about a recent McKinsey survey’s results showing the supportive benefits of innovation in supply chain firms.
TMS 💻
Investing in a SaaS-based TMS could reduce costs long-term | CCJ Digital
CCJ Digital senior editor Angel Coker writes about the long-term benefits of adapting a SaaS-based TMS for your trucking business.
Money Matters 💸
Knight-Swift’s smaller business areas eclipse its intermodal profit | Transport Dive
Transport Dive’s Associate Editor David Taube writes about Knight-Swift’s reported $17.79 million of operating income in Q2, and how the historically loss-producing conglomerate has now surpassed the company’s intermodal sector.
Network Association 🤝
Kenan Advantage Group acquires driver-centric carrier Carbon Express | Bulk Transporter
Bulk Transporter contributor Jason McDaniel writes about the two bulk haulers merging operations.
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.