Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, March 27, 2024:
Judge dismisses Yellow’s $137M lawsuit against Teamsters
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters won a major victory against now-defucnt Yellow Corporation on Monday with the dismissal of the company’s $137 million lawsuit by U.S. District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson.
The lawsuit, Yellow Corporation et al., v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters et al., was filed at the end of June before Yellow filed for bankruptcy in August. Yellow alleged that the labor union breached a binding contract with Yellow and caused more than $137 million in damages by "unjustifiably blocking, for over eight months, Yellow’s restructuring plan to modernize its business, which is necessary to compete against non-union carriers that dominate the LTL business today."
At the time, Yellow was in the second phase of its One Yellow strategy to improve efficiency, speed, choice and value for its customers. Phases 2 and 3 of One Yellow, which included aligning operations in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and Central regions, were set to take place last year. Phase 1, integrating the linehaul networks of YRC Freight and Reddaway in the Western region to support both regional and long-haul services, was completed in 2022 with union approval and under the collective bargaining agreement, Yellow charged that the union was not permitted to impede its restructuring.
The union called the lawsuit “a blatant attempt by Yellow Corp. to undermine the rights of workers and discredit the Teamsters.”
U.S. District Court Judge Julie A. Robinson, who ruled in the case, said that Yellow “failed to exhaust the grievance process under the terms of the [National Master Freight Agreement] before bringing their [Labor Management Relations Act] claims in this case."
[Related: Yellow files $137 million lawsuit against Teamsters union]
ATRI launches driver survey on detention time impacts
The American Transportation Research Institute on Tuesday issued a call for truck drivers to provide data on their detention experiences at customer facilities. This latest data collection is part of a larger ATRI study examining the effects of detention on the trucking industry.
Earlier this year, ATRI asked motor carriers and owner-operators to participate in a similar survey and how time spent waiting at facilities impacts their operations.
The short survey asks truck drivers to share details confidentially on their experience with driver detention and how it impacts their day-to-day life, professional livelihood and perceptions of the industry.
While at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week, ATRI staff collected more than 250 surveys from truck drivers in attendance. This online version now provides the opportunity for drivers nationwide to provide their input into this critical research.
“Drivers routinely rank detention/delay at customer facilities among their top industry concerns,” said ATRI President Rebecca Brewster. “This research will update our 2019 analysis on detention to see how and if things have changed post-pandemic.”
Truck drivers are encouraged to complete the survey by clicking here. The survey will remain open through April 26.
[Related: Operational costs data needed for annual ATRI report]
SiriusXM’s Dave Nemo announces retirement plans
Dave Nemo
While he will continue to lend his name, expertise, and voice to the broadcast, Nemo is stepping back to play percussion, travel, and in his own words, “Do what I wanna to do when I wanna to do it.”
Nemo will officially be retiring at the end of May 2025, but said he plans “an active retirement.”
The radio legend will spend this coming year not only continuing to host his show but also increasing his travel schedule to thank his many friends throughout the industry. Calling these appearances “The Last Ride of The Road Gang,” RadioNemo of North America will be celebrating the career of their namesake co-founder with parties, live broadcasts, and special events.
“The Last Ride of The Road Gang” got underway at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, where Nemo made the official announcement from the SiriusXM broadcast booth on March 23.
Moving forward, “The Dave Nemo Show” will continue with Nemo lending support not only to his trusted colleagues Jimmy Mac, Lindsay Lawler, and Tim Ridley, but also the many contributors of the program. The show can continue to be heard weekdays on SiriusXM Road Dog Trucking from 7-11 a.m. Eastern.
