US STB Extends Comment Period on Rail Switching Proposal

US STB Extends Comment Period on Rail Switching Proposal

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has extended the comment deadline for its “Reciprocal Switching” proposal, which aims to provide poorly served freight rail shippers with the option to access other rail carriers. The new proposal establishes three key performance standards: service reliability, consistency, and local service. It also requires Class I railroads to provide historical data on service metrics. Industry response to the proposal has been mixed, but there's general agreement that it's intended to improve the quality of rail service.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Trucking Tonnage Index Drops Signaling Freight Market Weakness

Trucking Tonnage Index Drops Signaling Freight Market Weakness

The American Trucking Associations reported a significant drop in the Truck Tonnage Index for September, both month-over-month and year-over-year, marking the largest decline in recent years. Experts attribute this to factors such as economic slowdown and inventory glut. Businesses should closely monitor market trends, optimize operational efficiency, diversify their customer base, strengthen risk management, flexibly adjust pricing strategies, and improve service quality to survive and thrive in this uncertain environment. Proactive adaptation is key to navigating the current challenges.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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UPS Teamsters Reach Landmark Labor Deal

UPS Teamsters Reach Landmark Labor Deal

UPS expects the new five-year labor agreement with the Teamsters union to be approved within two weeks. Hailed as a 'win-win-win' solution, the agreement aims to improve employee benefits, stabilize operations, ensure customer service, and strengthen the long-term partnership between UPS and the Teamsters. This agreement is expected to pave the way for a new chapter of corporate development, offering benefits for employees, the company, and its customers while ensuring operational stability and growth.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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North American Class 8 Truck Orders Rise in May Amid Recovery

North American Class 8 Truck Orders Rise in May Amid Recovery

North American Class 8 truck orders rebounded significantly in May, exceeding expectations according to FTR and ACT Research data, though still below replacement demand. Fleet demand resilience and order backlogs are supporting production. Economic conditions, technological advancements, and regulatory policies will continue to shape the market. The industry needs to pay attention to long-term trends and actively respond to challenges. This positive order activity signals continued, albeit moderated, strength in the heavy-duty truck market despite broader economic uncertainties.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Networked Labor Systems Boost Efficiency Decisionmaking

Networked Labor Systems Boost Efficiency Decisionmaking

Networked Labor Management Systems (NLMS) leverage cloud computing and big data analytics to connect dispersed labor resources, enabling centralized management, real-time collaboration, and intelligent optimization. This helps businesses improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance employee satisfaction. With ongoing technological advancements, NLMS is evolving towards greater intelligence, mobility, and integration, providing companies with more efficient and flexible labor management solutions. It allows for better resource allocation and performance monitoring, ultimately contributing to a more agile and responsive workforce.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Union Pacific Expands Houston Port Rail Links to Five Key Markets

Union Pacific Expands Houston Port Rail Links to Five Key Markets

Union Pacific is expanding its intermodal services at Port Houston, allowing containers to be loaded directly from the port onto railcars. This service provides direct rail access to five major metropolitan areas: Denver, Salt Lake City, Oakland, Los Angeles, and El Paso. The initiative aims to improve transportation efficiency, reduce costs, alleviate highway congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting both customers and the community. This expansion further solidifies Union Pacific's leading position in the intermodal market.

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Dollar Tree Taps Exdollar General Exec to Revamp Supply Chain

Dollar Tree Taps Exdollar General Exec to Revamp Supply Chain

Dollar Tree has appointed Kindy, a former Dollar General executive, as its Chief Supply Chain Officer. This move aims to reshape the company's supply chain, enhance efficiency, and address increasingly complex challenges. The appointment signals Dollar Tree's commitment to optimizing its operations and pursuing growth opportunities in the competitive discount retail market. Kindy's experience is expected to be instrumental in streamlining processes and improving overall supply chain performance as Dollar Tree navigates a dynamic business environment.

01/19/2026 Logistics
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Canadian West Coast Port Workers Strike Again Disrupting Supply Chains

Canadian West Coast Port Workers Strike Again Disrupting Supply Chains

Canadian West Coast ports are facing a potential strike, threatening to severely disrupt supply chains and impact global trade. The situation calls for strengthened dialogue between parties to avoid work stoppages. Mitigation strategies include diversifying supply chains to reduce reliance on single points of failure and investing in infrastructure improvements to enhance port efficiency and resilience. A prolonged strike could have significant economic consequences, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to address the underlying labor dispute and ensure the smooth flow of goods.

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West Coast Canada Port Workers Reach Labor Deal

West Coast Canada Port Workers Reach Labor Deal

A tentative agreement has been reached again in the labor negotiations at Canada's West Coast ports, after a previous agreement was rejected by the union. The new agreement aims to address issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions, but still requires ratification by union members. This event highlights the vulnerability of supply chains and the economic impact of labor relations. Long-term solutions require strengthened communication and increased mutual trust between labor and management to jointly address the challenges.

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Fedex Pilots Secure Tentative Deal After Prolonged Talks

Fedex Pilots Secure Tentative Deal After Prolonged Talks

After two years of negotiations and a strike authorization vote, FedEx Express and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) have reached a tentative agreement addressing key issues like compensation and retirement benefits. The final ratification of the agreement and its potential impact on the aviation industry remain to be seen. This event highlights the evolving labor market dynamics and the increasing importance of protecting labor rights. The outcome could set a precedent for future labor negotiations within the aviation sector and beyond.

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