Chinese New Year holiday arrangements vary greatly in the cross-border e-commerce industry. Banggood's controversial one-day holiday contrasts sharply with startups offering a generous 23-day break. The number of holiday days reflects corporate culture and business conditions. Reasonable holidays are crucial for both employee well-being and business success. The industry should prioritize employee welfare for sustainable development and growth.
DHL Express Canada and Unifor union have reached a new labor agreement, ending a nearly three-week work stoppage and strike. Full operations resumed on June 30th. The new agreement, valid until July 1, 2029, includes a 15.75% wage increase, a new owner-operator payment structure, and increased pension benefits. The company will prioritize processing delayed packages, and customers can submit claims through the standard procedure.
Progress has been made in the US railway labor negotiations as three unions reached a tentative agreement with freight rail companies, including wage increases and a lump-sum payment. However, attention remains focused on the progress of negotiations with the remaining unions to avoid a potential railway strike on September 16th. Preventing a strike is crucial to ensure the smooth functioning of the American economy.
CSX Transportation faced operational chaos and lowered financial forecasts due to the implementation of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). The U.S. Surface Transportation Board intervened, and internal employee dissatisfaction arose. CSX faces a transformation challenge, needing to balance efficiency, service, employee rights, and safety. Its experience provides valuable lessons for other railway companies considering similar lean initiatives and highlights the potential pitfalls of prioritizing efficiency over other crucial aspects of rail operations.
Flexport has been recognized as a Built In 2025 Best Place to Work, earning 11 awards across multiple US cities. The company is committed to providing competitive compensation and benefits, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a positive company culture that values employee feedback. Flexport expresses gratitude to its global team for their collective efforts and looks forward to continuing to improve employee satisfaction and create more opportunities for growth in the future.
Locke Supply Chain addressed issues such as low order fulfillment accuracy, long employee training cycles, and high staff turnover by implementing the Vocollect voice picking system. Integrated with the existing WMS, the system guides picking operations through voice commands, significantly improving picking efficiency and order accuracy. This resulted in reduced operating costs and improved employee work experience. This case provides valuable insights for companies facing similar challenges in warehouse logistics and order fulfillment.
The US Senate passed legislation to avert a nationwide railroad shutdown, forcing rail workers to accept a labor agreement including a 24% wage increase and additional paid personal days. While a paid sick leave provision failed to pass, the move avoids a potentially devastating railroad strike that could have significantly harmed the US economy. President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law, preventing major economic disruption.
The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have signed a new six-year contract covering 36 ports on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. The agreement guarantees record wage increases for dockworkers and provides effective protections against automation, averting potential supply chain disruptions and laying the groundwork for port modernization. The contract was overwhelmingly approved by ILA members and welcomed by the National Retail Federation (NRF).
The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a new six-year agreement covering 36 ports on the US East and Gulf Coasts. The agreement includes record wage increases, automation protections, and improved healthcare benefits. While ensuring labor stability, it may also lead to increased costs and efficiency challenges. Continued cooperation and innovation will be necessary to enhance port competitiveness in the future.
A tentative agreement was reached between three major US railway unions and freight rail companies, averting the risk of a crippling railway shutdown. The agreement includes wage increases and lump-sum payments, but requires ratification by all union members. Failure to reach a deal could have resulted in strikes and significant economic disruption. All parties must continue negotiations to ensure the smooth operation of this vital railway artery.
