Monday, April 06, 2009

YRC Worldwide Expands Partnership with Leading Transportation Industry Organization Women in Trucking, Inc.

Collaboration designed to promote best-in-class diversity, recruiting, hiring and workplace practices for all carriers

YRC Worldwide Inc. announced today a partnership with Women in Trucking, Inc., a leading transportation industry organization established to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry, promote their accomplishments and minimize the obstacles they face. Through best-in-class programs and initiatives, YRC Worldwide and Women in Trucking aim to address the real and perceived barriers that exist in the transportation industry, particularly for women.

"YRC Worldwide is proud to work collaboratively with Women in Trucking," said Jim Kissinger, YRC Worldwide Executive Vice President of Human Resources. "By doing so, we're better able to explore and address the industry-wide misconceptions that have historically discouraged women from considering transportation as a career. As the LTL industry leader, we're genuinely committed to fostering a more diverse workforce."

The partnership includes:

*Additional memberships for 25 female YRC Worldwide drivers to Women in Trucking. In addition, Maggie Peterson, a YRC professional driver, already serves as a Women in Trucking board member.

*Joint development and administration of a national survey of women truck drivers on workplace issues such as driver training, safety, job satisfaction and other issues
Discussion with the travel center industry about the possibility of developing a scoring system for truck stops around the country detailing cleanliness, safety, and other relevant issues raised by the survey

*Expansion of current recruiting programs to encourage the interest and hiring of women across a variety of positions, including dock workers and drivers

*Improved training benchmarks and programs designed to improve hiring and the work environment for women

*Development of information addressing safety issues for female truck drivers. Pamphlets will be available for use throughout the trucking industry, including truck stops and distribution to YRC Worldwide female drivers.

*Outreach to major truck stops on interstate highways to encourage a more female-friendly environment, specifically improvements in cleanliness, safety, and bathroom/shower facilities

*A continuing spotlight on the achievements of YRC Worldwide female drivers

In addition to the partnership with Women in Trucking, Kissinger added that YRC Worldwide intends to continue and improve support for minorities and veterans as well.

"We are pleased to be a part of the YRC Worldwide initiatives to create a more driver-friendly environment for both men and women in the trucking industry, especially the issues that have been identified as priorities for women," said Ellen Voie, President and CEO of Women in Trucking, Inc. "These include safety and security, convenience and amenities, but more importantly, these initiatives will help women find opportunities and success in a currently male-dominated industry."

YRC Worldwide has traditionally partnered with grassroots agencies, like Women in Trucking, to further company diversity goals, gain expert perspectives and ideas, and implement programs. One such program, Diversity Days, provides an opportunity for leaders of good faith agencies, like the YWCA and the NAACP, to visit YRC Worldwide facilities, talk with employees and get to know the company before recommending new recruits.

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