Saturday, June 02, 2007

Protecting Your Pensions

A Message From Teamsters National Freight Division Director Tyson Johnson


As we prepare to negotiate the National Master Freight Agreement (NMFA) later this year, we realize that you, our members, are very concerned about your pensions.

Your concern may be heightened by the recent proposal from UPS to create a new, joint Teamsters-company pension plan to cover full-time UPS employees who currently obtain their pension benefits from the Central States Fund.

UPS' proposal is just that, a proposal. Teamster leaders are studying the proposal now and gathering information from the Central States Fund to fully assess the impact. You can be assured that your Teamster leaders will not support any proposal that will harm any active or retired Central States member.

You may have also heard that CEO Robert Davidson of ABF has been giving reports that he would like to have his company withdraw from all Teamster pension plans. We will not permit ABF or any other freight company to do anything that will harm any active or retired Central States member. Please be assured that any proposal related to pensions from ABF, or any other freight company, will not be discussed until NMFA talks begin later this year.

I urge you to not be swayed by rumors. Instead, visit the Teamsters web site for the latest information.

YRC Worldwide Recognized by CIO Magazine

YRC Worldwide Inc. announced today that it has been named a recipient of the 2007 CIO 100 award by CIO magazine. The 20th annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

"The CIO 100 award recipients serve as industry role models for business and IT excellence," said Abbie Lundberg, Editor in Chief of CIO magazine. "This year's winners demonstrate extraordinary results in a variety of important areas, including business transformation, collaboration, customer innovation and top line contributions."

"This is a tremendous honor that YRC Worldwide has received," said Michael Rapken, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of YRC Worldwide Technologies. "Again, this demonstrates the talented people we have and the value we bring to the business."

"We are honored to receive this recognition again this year," said Bill Zollars, Chairman, President and CEO of YRC Worldwide. "We strongly believe that innovative solutions are the key to driving revenue and providing necessary enhanced capabilities to our customers. This award validates our continued commitment to finding innovative technology solutions that serve our core purpose of making global commerce work by connecting people, places and information."

About the CIO 100

The recipients of this year's CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative practices in both business and IT. Next, teams of CIO magazine editors and writers reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, the teams met for a daylong meeting to debate the merits of each nominee and vote on the final 100. Once the top 100 honorees were selected, several honorees were chosen to receive an additional special award.

Complete coverage of the 2007 CIO 100 awards will be in the August 15 issue of CIO magazine and available online at http://www.cio.com/ on August 15.

Friday, June 01, 2007

ABF Wins the ATA Excellence in Security Award

ABF Freight System, Inc., has been recognized by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for exceptional security practices, earning the 2007 Excellence in Security Award from the ATA Security Council. The 2007 award was presented in Orlando during the group's annual Trucking Security and Law Enforcement Conference and Exhibit. Including the inaugural award in 2001, ABF(R) has earned the Excellence in Security Award an unprecedented four times.

"Each year, the council recognizes the motor carrier that has excelled at protecting personnel, equipment and freight and has surpassed all others in securing its company's and customers' assets," said Susan A. Chandler, executive director of the ATA Security Council. "ABF is a company that has evaluated the risk, implemented the programs, applied the tools, trained the personnel and managed the systems and processes that successfully minimized theft and violence. ABF constantly evaluates and improves its security measures, personnel training and experience records, and as a result, insures future prevention and recovery."

"ABF's industry-leading security and cargo care record, acknowledged by this prestigious award and by certifications such as ACE, FAST and C-TPAT, give ABF customers a significant supply chain advantage," said ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. "Today, more than ever before, shippers recognize the importance of cargo security. An efficient, reliable supply chain requires a carrier that can deliver goods intact, on time, damage free and without security delays. Our customers appreciate the fact that ABF will continue to lead the industry in this area."

The ABF security program is led by 15 regional security managers strategically located throughout the carrier's North American system. Each security manager is a former law enforcement official who works closely with ABF management and local, state and federal authorities and regulators. "Protecting our customers' freight and company assets and the safety and security of our employees are major concerns for the company," said Jim McFarlin, ABF safety and security director. "ABF security procedures and guidelines were formulated as a guide for all employees-from upper management to touch labor -- so they have the knowledge to conform to the security requirements of the company. This approach has positioned ABF as the premiere LTL carrier when it comes to delivering shipments safely and securely."

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Trucking giant YRC is not in play

CEO denies rumors of takeover


After rumors swirled last week that LTL trucking firm YRC Worldwide may be the target of a takeover bid, the company’s CEO William Zollars is denying the reports.

"We certainly don't have anything going on," Bill Zollars, CEO of the Overland Park, Kansas-based company that combined both Yellow and Roadway told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"I really was not responding to anything specific," Zollars said, referring to a BusinessWeek interview that began the rumor mills churning.

Zollars also revealed earlier this month that YRC is “in the process of establishing a ground network in China” in a report by the Kansas City Star.