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.

YRC and YRC Reimer Reduce Cross-Border Transit Times Between U.S. and Canada

YRC, Inc. and YRC Reimer in Canada, both subsidiaries of YRC Worldwide, announced that they have enhanced their industry-leading northbound and southbound service between the United States and Canada by reducing transit times in 5,500 lanes, effective immediately.

"We are dedicated to providing comprehensive transportation solutions, which means continual enhancement of our services and our networks," Mike Smid, president - YRC Inc., and chief operations officer - YRC Worldwide. "As we expand our cross border services provided by YRC, and YRC Reimer, reducing transit times is one more way we can offer better predictability and more precise delivery options."

In addition to improved transit times, YRC and YRC Reimer can provide a seamless experience through the availability of YRC Border Ambassadors who work with customers to ensure proper shipment documentation - and integrated customs brokerage services through affiliated broker, YRC Logistics. Customs brokerage is provided free of charge when new customers book guaranteed or expedited shipments.

YRC is also border-security compliant and certified in the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism Program, as well as the Canada Partners in Protection program; the Free and Secure Trade program of the Canadian and U.S. governments; and the Customs Self-Assessment program.

Through certification in these programs, the efforts of the YRC Border Ambassadors and integrated customs brokerage services, shipments clear the border in minutes and 98 percent of all shipments are pre-released before they reach the border. With one call and one carrier, customers also enjoy better control and improved shipment visibility, as well as the convenience of one itemized invoice for transportation, brokerage services, duties and taxes.

For more information about YRC customs brokerage service, customers should contact their account representative or visit Cross-Border Shipping to Canada