YRC Reimer shutters city operations

A U.S.-based shipping company is shutting down its operations in Edmonton Oct. 31 after its unionized employees refused to take cuts in their wages and benefits, says the company's Canadian president.

"It's a tough economy and people have to realize this," said YRC Reimer Canadian president Clayton Gording.

He said about 55 to 60 drivers and warehouse workers will be affected.

Gording said the unionized workers who belong to a Teamsters local voted just days ago against taking a cut in wages and benefits.

The vast majority of Reimer employees in the U.S. took rollbacks earlier this year averaging 25%, Gording said.

Proposed wage rollbacks in Canada were not that large.

He would not give breakdowns on the value of rollbacks the company was seeking in Edmonton. He said it has operated here since the 1950s. Gording said Reimer will continue to service Edmonton through other means.

A spokesman for the Teamsters local union could not be reached for comment.

Yellow Canada, Reimer Express integrated into YRC Reimer

Reimer Express Lines and Yellow Canada have been merged into a “single market facing brand” to be known as YRC Reimer, YRC Worldwide has announced.

The company says the move will offer Canadian customers advantages due to the integration of the YRC network, such as simplified access to “flexible, efficient solutions.”

”We are excited to be an integral part of the Roadway and Yellow networks in the US, creating the single most comprehensive network throughout North America,” said Clayton Gording, president, YRC Reimer. “This is truly a game changing event for our company and our industry, and I’m proud that the successful integration of several Canadian service centers served as the pilot for the recent YRC integration across North America.”

The company says the name change will not impact the company’s working relationships. A new logo will be phased into operations, but in the meantime company equipment and buildings will continue to maintain current “heritage” brand names, the company says.