Latest News Updates From Rip Watson

Business

Trucking’s Operational Costs Fell in 2012, ATRI Says

The average variable cost to run a truck in 2012 fell about 5% from the previous year to $1.63 per mile, as carriers had to cut costs to cope with soft freight volumes in a weak economy, the American Transportation Research Institute said in a report issued Sept. 4.

September 4, 2013
Business

Court Rules Against ABF in Contract Suit Against YRC, Teamsters

ABF Freight System unit lost another round in its court action against the Teamsters union and YRC Worldwide over a national freight contract.

September 3, 2013
Safety

UPS to Stop Insuring Spouses of Some Employees

UPS Inc. has told employees it plans to halt health-care coverage for about 15,000 spouses of nonunion workers who are covered by other plans.

August 22, 2013
Business

YRC Subsidiary Back in Operation after Unauthorized Walkout

YRC Worldwide Inc.’s regional Reddaway less-than-truckload unit resumed normal operations on Monday after an unauthorized walkout by Teamsters at Southern California terminals in Fontana and Compton, the unit’s president said.

August 19, 2013
Business

Volvo Recalls 23,000 Tractors to Address Clutch Issue

Volvo Trucks North America has begun a recall to of 23,003 units to deal with a potential clutch problem, the manufacturer advised the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

July 9, 2013
Business

Teamsters See UPS Package Contract Headed for Approval

The Teamsters union said that the master contract for its UPS Inc. package workers appears headed for rank-and-file approval, and that talks will resume with the package carrier to resolve issues that were rejected in side agreements.

June 26, 2013
Business

Teamsters Locals Reject UPS Freight Contract

For the first time, UPS Freight Teamsters have rejected the contract negotiated on their behalf by union leaders, the union announced.

June 25, 2013
Business

YRC Worldwide Breaks Off Contract Talks With Machinists Union

YRC Worldwide said it has broken off contract talks with the International Association of Machinists, which represents about 200 workers at the less-than-truckload operator, effective Monday.

April 12, 2013
Special Coverage, Business

North American Truck Production Expected to Rise 15% in 2014, ACT Says

COLUMBUS, Ind. — North American truck production in 2013 is on course to virtually match last year and will spike almost 15% in 2014 on stronger economic growth, ACT Research President Kenny Vieth predicted.

March 20, 2013
Special Coverage, Business, Fuel

Energy Executive T. Boone Pickens Touts Promise of Natural Gas

ARLINGTON, Va. — Oil and gas industry legend T. Boone Pickens said here Thursday that it would be in the best interests of the trucking industry to embrace natural gas as a transportation fuel.

November 29, 2012