Freedom Convoy

Universal Logistics sees bridge blockade as ‘blip’ to strong 2022

Stock pops 7% on better-than-expected guide

Universal Logistics Holdings “had its share of challenges” during 2021. Port and supply chain congestion and a tough labor market weighed on production at the auto and truck OEMs, the Michigan-based asset-light transportation provider’s primary customer base.

“Yet, despite these challenges, Universal’s business model continued to deliver impressive results,” CEO Tim Phillips stated in a press release. The company reported record full-year revenue in 2021, up 26% year-over-year to $1.75 billion,...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/universal-logistics-sees-bridge-blockade-as-blip-to-strong-2022

Ontario declares state of emergency targeting Ambassador Bridge, Ottawa protests

Ottawa Ontario Canada, February 10 2022, Enforcement Officer talks with police

The Canadian province of Ontario declared a state of emergency on Friday to empower law enforcement to end the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge — the busiest commercial border crossing between the U.S. and Canada — and the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said his government will be taking multiple measures to empower law enforcement, including potentially revoking CDLs — as well as fines and jail times. The measures would be temporary.

“Your right to make a political...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ontario-declares-state-of-emergency-targeting-ambassador-bridge-ottawa-protests

‘People’s Convoy’ vows not to disrupt Super Bowl

The organizers of The People’s Convoy released a statement late Thursday that their group “has no intention or plans” to protest the Super Bowl in Los Angeles on Sunday.

“Such notice and rumors are put out there by either another group or paid opposition,” Kris Young, one of the administrators for The People’s Convoy, posted on the group’s Facebook and Telegram accounts late Thursday. 

The People’s Convoy Facebook Page

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had issued a warning that a convoy of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/peoples-convoy-vows-not-to-disrupt-super-bowl

American Trucking Associations denounces cross-border protests

The American Trucking Associations officially weighed in on growing turmoil at the U.S.-Canada border as demonstrations that started as trucker protests against the vaccine mandate spiral into costly supply chain delays.

“ATA strongly opposes any protest activities that disrupt public safety and compromise the economic and national security of the United States,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement issued Thursday.

“We held serious concerns about the unintended impact a vaccine...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/american-trucking-associations-denounces-cross-border-protests

Ambassador Bridge protest drags on, trucks back up at alternate border crossing

Trucks backed up at the Blue Water Bridge US-Canada border crossing.

The protest blocking traffic at the busiest commercial crossing between the U.S. and Canada, the Ambassador Bridge, entered its third day on Wednesday as trucks waited for hours to get across an alternate border, while others detoured hundreds of miles.

The bridge, which links Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, remained closed as several dozen vehicles, including some trucks, continued to block an access road from the Canadian side. At the nearby Blue Water Bridge, trucks faced delays of over four...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ambassador-bridge-protest-drags-on-trucks-back-up-at-alternate-crossing

CEO: Vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers ‘not an issue at all’ for TFI

A truck pulling a trailer of Canadian trucking firm TFI International company Canpar in the United States.

The COVID-19 vaccine mandate for truckers crossing the U.S.-Canada border hasn’t been a problem for Canada’s largest trucking company, TFI International, CEO Alain Bédard told financial analysts on Tuesday. 

“Vaccination at TFI is not an issue at all,” Bédard said while discussing the company’s fourth-quarter financial results. “On the Canadian side, most of our drivers are vaccinated.”

Bédard made the comments less than a month after the Canadian and U.S. governments implemented mandates, on...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ceo-vaccine-mandate-for-cross-border-truckers-not-an-issue-at-all-for-tfi

Canadian protesters continue to disrupt commercial traffic at Ambassador Bridge

Truck drivers and other protesters rallying against Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate blocked Detriot’s Ambassador Bridge Monday night, forcing commercial and passenger vehicles to take long detours.

The bridge connecting Canada and the United States was closed shortly before 8 p.m. Monday. The blockade of the Ambassador Bridge was one of multiple protests taking place across Canada loosely connected to the Freedom Convoy in the capital city of Ottawa. Protests also blocked traffic overnight...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/protesters-continue-to-disrupt-traffic-at-ambassador-bridge

Trade group: Exempt cross-border truckers from vaccine mandate

A trucking trade group is urging U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to exempt cross-border truckers from COVID-19 vaccine rules implemented in mid-January.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association sent letters to Biden and Trudeau  on Monday.

The move comes after the Freedom Convoy entered its second week in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, to protest the country’s rule that took effect on Jan. 15, requiring U.S. truckers entering Canada to be vaccinated. The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/trade-group-exempt-cross-border-truckers-from-vaccine-mandate

OOIDA: Eximir a los camioneros transfronterizos del mandato de vacunación

Un grupo de comercio de camiones está instando al presidente de Estados Unidos, Joe Biden, y al primer ministro canadiense, Justin Trudeau, a que eximan a los camioneros transfronterizos de las normas de la vacuna COVID-19 implementadas a mediados de enero.

La Asociación de Conductores Independientes Propietarios envió cartas a Biden y Trudeau  el lunes.

La medida se produce después de que el Convoy de la Libertad entrara en su segunda semana en la capital de Canadá, Ottawa, para protestar por la...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ooida-eximir-a-los-camioneros-transfronterizos-del-mandato-de-vacunacion

Ottawa declares state of emergency as Freedom Convoy protests disrupt capital

The Freedom Convoy protests initiated by truck drivers in Canada’s capital have led Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson to declare a state of emergency for the city.

Watson made the announcement Sunday after the weeklong protests continued to disrupt Ottawa’s central area.

The statement released by the mayor’s office said: “Declaring a state of emergency reflects the serious danger and threat to the safety and security of residents posed by the ongoing demonstrations and highlights the need for support from...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ottawa-declares-state-of-emergency-after-trucker-initiated-protests

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