Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, May 28, 2025:
Kroger drivers in Georgia okay strike
Drivers at Kroger's Forest Park, Georgia, fulfillment center have authorized a strike. Kroger is one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S., operating more than 2,700 stores nationwide.
The 30 CDL drivers voted by a 96% margin to join the Teamsters union last year. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 528, are seeking their first Teamsters contract with higher wages, benefits and enforceable workplace protections, according to the union.
"Kroger needs to stop dragging its feet and deliver a real offer that respects the work we do," said Marion Jackson, a Kroger driver and Local 528 shop steward. "This company can more than afford what we're asking for. We are ready to strike if Kroger doesn't start taking our demands seriously."
Kenworth adds vocational Paccar TX-12 PRO automated transmission option to MX-13
Kenworth on Tuesday announced that the Paccar TX-12 PRO automated transmission is now available with the Paccar MX-13 engine for Kenworth’s T680, T880 and W990 models.
The TX-12 PRO is designed to optimize performance for both on- and off-highway applications such as dump, plow, tankers, and more. The TX-12 PRO builds upon the standard TX-12, one of the most efficient on-highway automated transmissions, Kenworth said.
“The TX-12 PRO transmission’s integration with the MX-13 engine is a welcomed addition for our Class 8 customers that operate in vocational applications,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing.
The TX-12 PRO is engineered to operate with all MX-11 and PX-9 engine ratings up to 445 hp, 1,700 lb.-ft. of torque and MX-13 engine ratings up to 455 hp and 1,650 lb.-ft. of torque, and 70,000 pounds of gross combination vehicle weight (GCVW).
The Paccar TX-12 PRO features many of the TX-18 PRO enhanced capabilities for vocational and select off-highway applications, including Paccar’s Extreme Duty clutch for improved low-speed maneuvering, Rock Free mode to help trucks get unstuck in mud or sand, an off-highway calibration tuned for changing soil conditions, and more. The 12-speed gear set provides wide ratio coverage, allowing for excellent maneuverability around job sites.
The TX-12 PRO offers dual PTO openings – a bottom mount 8-bolt and 4-bolt rear mount for a combined 95-hp capacity.
The transmission is equipped with an internal oil temperature sensor, which shows transmission temperatures on the in-cab 15-inch digital display and provides driver notifications in situations causing excessive temperatures.
As with all Paccar TX-12 and TX-18 transmission models, the TX-12 PRO is standard with Kenworth’s driver-friendly column-mounted, right-hand stalk shifter.
Oil maintenance intervals for the TX-12 PRO are 250,000 miles, and the clutch is maintenance-free, Kenworth said.
Port of Savannah launches new app to assist truckers
The Georgia Ports Authority has rolled out its new GPA Trucker mobile app to help make the truck driver experience smoother, easier and faster at Port of Savannah terminals.
The Port of Savannah averages 14,000-16,000 gate moves daily from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Truck turn times at Garden City Terminal average 35 minutes for a single move, and 53 minutes for dual moves when a driver is delivering an export and picking up an import.
The GPA Trucker app puts more information at drivers’ fingertips to make their work easier. Through the app, drivers can save drive time, simplify paperwork and get notifications such as changes to gate hours to help plan the day. For ease of use, the app offers facial recognition or fingerprint opening.
“At GPA, we see drivers as our front-line customers, and we are always working to provide a superior customer experience,” GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch said. “Helping truckers solve problems before they arrive at our gates improves overall efficiency for them and for the cargo owners who choose Georgia Ports.”
The app’s initial purpose is to improve and simplify the process for container transactions. To track container moves, Georgia Ports uses PINs, which are good for 72 hours. Drivers provide the PIN at the terminal gate to receive a paper ticket with a container’s pickup or drop-off location.
The GPA Trucker app now also provides a digital version of the ticket that can be saved or transmitted to a driver’s trucking company. The app’s next generation will include a push function, so drivers will automatically receive their digital tickets instead of having to search in the app.
Through the app, drivers can avoid trips if, for instance, the time limit has expired on the PIN issued for a container move, or an export container has shifted to a different vessel.
Additionally, the app informs drivers which terminal entry gate is closest to the container, and sends announcements such as changes to gate hours and weather alerts. Future functionality will include navigation assistance through Waze or Apple Maps, so that drivers can more easily find containers on terminal.
The free app is available on the Apple AppStore or Google Play by searching for “GPA Trucker.”
