Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021:
Diesel prices hit 7-year high
Average diesel fuel prices across the U.S. increased again during the week ending Nov. 1, bringing the national average to its highest point since the week ending Oct. 6, 2014.
The U.S.’ average price for a gallon of on-highway diesel is now $3.727, up 1.4 cents over the previous week, according to the Department of Energy’s weekly report.
Prices increased in all regions across the country last week with the most significant increase being seen in California, where prices jumped 5.1 cents to $4.651 per gallon.
California holds the nation’s highest diesel prices, followed by the West Coast less California at $3.932 per gallon.
The cheapest fuel can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.486 per gallon, followed by the Lower Atlantic region at $3.631 per gallon.
Prices in other regions, according to DOE, are:
- New England – $3.651
- Central Atlantic – $3.862
- Midwest – $3.639
- Rocky Mountain – $3.814
ProMiles’ numbers during the same week saw fuel prices fall significantly by 15.4 cents, bringing its national average to $3.569 per gallon.
According to ProMiles’ Fuel Surcharge Index, the most expensive diesel can be found in California at $4.526 per gallon, and the cheapest can be found in the Gulf Coast region at $3.384 per gallon.
UPS plans to add 60,000 seasonal employees
UPS (CCJ Top 250, No. 2) expects to hire at least 60,000 seasonal employees this Thursday through Saturday in its annual “UPS Brown Friday” events at company locations across the country.
Nearly a month before Black Friday and Cyber Monday officially kick off the holiday shopping season, the UPS Brown Friday event includes more than 400 local hiring events as well as virtual events that will support more than 1,200 locations across the U.S. The hiring weekend is part of its broader effort to hire seasonal workers to support its annual holiday shipping rush.
Full- and part-time seasonal positions – primarily package handlers, drivers, and driver-helpers – have long been an entry point for permanent employment at UPS. The company said that over the last three years, about a third of those hired by UPS for seasonal package handler jobs were later hired in a permanent position when the holidays were over, and about 138,000 UPS employees – nearly a third of the company’s U.S. workforce – started in seasonal positions.
GSC Logistics accelerating growth to meet cargo surge
GSC Logistics announced it is accelerating growth plans by adding employees, drivers, real estate and chassis equipment to help manage the West Coast port situation. The company’s latest expansion includes doubling its headquarters office footprint this month at the Port of Oakland.
“Cargo is flooding ports up and down the West Coast, and we’ve got to grow if we’re going to deliver it efficiently to our customers,” said GSC President Dave Arsenault. “The opportunity is great, but so is the challenge because there’s no sign of a letup in trade flows.”
GSC Logistics said it is the largest freight hauler at the Port of Oakland and the fastest-growing player in Seattle. The firm said it expects to make good on a forecast of 25% volume growth in 2021.
Oklahoma-based flatbed carrier increasing driver pay
Melton Truck Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 83), based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, announced it is increasing driver pay.
A statement from Melton said all company drivers will receive some sort of increase. Melton’s pay scale varies depending on drivers' experience and tenure. This increase will start student drivers at 52 cents per mile and will give the most experienced drivers 65 cpm.
The increase takes effect Nov. 16 for all incoming and current drivers.
