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More layoffs hit freight-related companies across US

Layoffs continue across the freight and logistics industry, with companies announcing 1,277 job reductions and six distribution facility closures across the country.

It is the second major round of layoffs in the industry since last week, when True Value Co., GXO, CJ Logistics America, DHL, PepsiCo, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling LLC, Hunt & Sons LLC, Kuehne+Nagel, Americold Logistics, Amazon and Trademango Solutions announced they were eliminating 2,402 jobs.

UPS

Shipping giant UPS plans to temporarily...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/more-layoffs-hit-freight-related-companies-across-us

Could retail delivery fees gain traction with a Harris-Walz win?

Kamala Harris’ running mate in the 2024 presidential election recently approved a funding mechanism that charges retailers a 50-cent delivery fee to help fund road improvements in Minnesota.

The per-shipment fee, included in a transportation package Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into law on May 24, is applied to last-mile shipments and is separate from other taxes or charges.

Walz’s elevation to the national stage as the vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket could also boost the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/could-retail-delivery-fees-gain-traction-with-a-harris-walz-win

UPS plans to close Baltimore facility, lay off 540 workers

A Baltimore UPS customer center is planning to close in August, according to a Maryland state filing. The move will affect hundreds of workers.

A UPS (NYSE: UPS) on Vero Road will shutter Aug. 23, resulting in the layoffs of 540 employees, according to a Work Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed June 20 with the Maryland Department of Labor. The same UPS location laid off 118 employees in March.

A representative from UPS sent this statement to FreightWaves, “As a part of our Network of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ups-plans-to-close-baltimore-facility-lay-off-540-workers

Watchdog sees reverse logistics potential for Postal Service

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service may have an opportunity to expand its presence in the reverse logistics market and take on 3PLs as well as commercial rivals UPS and FedEx, according to a federal watchdog.

The Postal Service has been increasing its presence in the package returns market since 2018 by introducing services that vary based on speed, volume and shippers’ logistics capabilities.

But a new white paper by the agency’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) titled “Sending It Back:...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/watchdog-sees-reverse-logistics-potential-for-postal-service

US parcel revenue sees first decline in 7 years, report finds

U.S. parcel revenue has seen the first decline in seven years despite increased parcel volume, according to an annual report from Pitney Bowes.

The U.S. Parcel Shipping Index, released Wednesday by the global shipping and mailing company, highlighted 2023’s shifts in the carrier-competitive landscape and consumer behaviors. U.S. parcel revenue fell 0.03% from $198.4 billion in 2022 to $197.9 billion last year despite a slight parcel volume increase of 0.05% from 21.5 billion in 2022 to 21.7...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-parcel-revenue-sees-first-decline-in-7-years-report-finds

Should UPS have been bigger as well as better?

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For the first 30 or so months of her tenure, UPS CEO Carol B. Tomé had the wind at her back. For the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/should-ups-have-been-bigger-as-well-as-better

FedEx restores service guarantees on 2nd-day air morning service

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), following rival UPS Inc.’s lead from earlier this week, said Friday that it will restore money-back guarantees for its second-day morning air service in the domestic U.S.

UPS (NYSE: UPS) said on Wednesday that it would reinstate refunds for its second-day morning service, which calls for packages and documents to be delivered by 10:30 a.m. on the second day. FedEx’s actions follow suit.

The carriers did away with all money-back guarantees — known in the parcel-delivery...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-restores-service-guarantees-on-2nd-day-air-morning-service

Labor 2023: A lot of noise but few strikes

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For all the hand-wringing about the potential for labor disturbances across multiple modes, the year...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/labor-2023-a-lot-of-noise-but-few-strikes

FedEx launches boxless, label-less returns

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) said Monday that it has launched a program in which consumers can return merchandise without a box or shipping label to more than 10,000 locations, including 2,000 FedEx Office stores.

Customers wanting to complete an in-store return of online orders can request a QR code on their mobile phone that can be scanned at drop-off points. FedEx said it will also offer contactless drop boxes where goods can be returned without any person-to-person interaction.

Competitors...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-launches-boxless-label-less-returns

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