CFL closing

Central Freight aftermath: Paycheck concerns, benefit worries, unsafe work conditions

In the aftermath of Central Freight Lines’ abrupt closure five weeks ago, many of the company’s 2,100 employees, including 1,325 truck drivers, have paycheck concerns and questions about vacation pay and unemployment benefits, while others claim they were subjected to unsafe working conditions at the company’s headquarters in Waco, Texas. 

However, many of their questions have yet to be answered as no one is answering the phones at HQ, although some CFL employees continue working on a contract...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/central-freight-aftermath-paycheck-concerns-benefit-worries-unsafe-work-conditions

Central Freight Lines truckers: Final paychecks came too late for Christmas

After finding out two weeks ago that Waco, Texas-based Central Freight Lines was shuttering operations, hourly employees – including 1,325 truck drivers – say they suffered a second blow after learning that their final paychecks weren’t mailed out as promised before Christmas.

Several former linehaul and pickup and delivery drivers at Central Freight’s terminals across the country told FreightWaves they were counting on those checks to buy last-minute Christmas presents. Some said managers told...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/central-freight-lines-truckers-final-paychecks-came-too-late-for-christmas

Former Central Freight Lines employee sues over LTL carrier’s shutdown

A former Central Freight Lines employee claims the Waco,Texas-based less-than-truckload carrier violated federal law by failing to give 60 days’ notice of its planned shutdown to nearly 2,100 employees and truck drivers, who found themselves without jobs two weeks before Christmas.

Aaron Cox worked at the Waco facility until his employment was terminated on Dec. 13, the same day CFL officially told its employees and drivers that the LTL carrier was ceasing operations. 

Cox alleges in his proposed...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/former-central-freight-lines-employee-sues-over-ltl-carriers-shutdown

Autopsy report: How Central Freight fell into a 5-year ‘death spiral’

Analysts, industry insiders and some of Central Freight Lines’ executives and truck drivers liken the LTL carrier’s demise to a “five-year death spiral” after the company lost a major customer, then acquired two failing companies.

The end of the 96-year-old company was the biggest shutdown in trucking since Celadon in December 2019. It leaves 2,100 workers, including 1,325 drivers, seeking employment with Christmas just around the corner.

Many of this month’s holiday gifts will arrive via Amazon,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/autopsy-report-how-central-freight-fell-into-a-5-year-death-spiral

Central Freight confirms Estes Express offering to snap up drivers, buy equipment

After FreightWaves broke the news late Saturday that less-than-truckload carrier Central Freight Lines planned to cease operations on Monday after 96 years, other LTL carriers have stepped up recruiting efforts over the past few days to scoop up more than 2,100 drivers and employees who will lose their jobs right before Christmas.

CFL President Bruce Kalem told FreightWaves late Monday that rival LTL carrier Estes Express Lines, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, which has nearly 8,100 drivers...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cfl-confirms-estes-express-offering-to-snap-up-drivers-buy-equipment

Reaction to news of Central Freight Lines shutting down

After 96 years, Central Freight Lines plans to shut down. FreightWaves’ Clarissa Hawes broke the news on Saturday night, and reaction has been swift ever since — on what’s next for the drivers and other CFL employees, how the company got to this point, how it will impact the LTL market, and so one.

Here’s a sampling of reactions and analysis on the various FreightWaves channels, as well as the rest of the freight world.

Watch: Central Freight’s impact on the LTL industry

WHAT THE TRUCK?!?: End of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/reaction-to-news-of-central-freight-lines-shutting-down