Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
NRLB New "Protected Concerted Activity" Website
Contact:
Office of Public Affairs
202-273-1991
publicinfo@nlrb.gov
www.nlrb.gov
The National Labor Relations Board today made public a webpage that describes the rights of employees to act together for their mutual aid and protection, even if they are not in a union.
The page, at www.nlrb.gov/concerted-activity, tells the stories of more than a dozen recent cases involving protected concerted activity, which can be viewed by clicking points on a map. Among the cases: A construction crew fired after refusing to work in the rain near exposed electrical wires; a customer service representative who lost her job after discussing her wages with a coworker; an engineer at a vegetable packing plant fired after reporting safety concerns affecting other employees; a paramedic fired after posting work-related grievances on Facebook; and poultry workers fired after discussing their grievances with a newspaper reporter.
Some cases were quickly settled after charges were filed, while others progressed to a Board decision or to federal appellate courts. They were selected to show a variety of situations, but they have in common a finding at some point in the NLRB process that the activity that the employees undertook was protected under federal labor law.
The right to engage in certain types of concerted activity was written into the original 1935 National Labor Relations Act’s Section 7, which states that: “Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all such activities.”
That right has been upheld in numerous decisions by appellate courts and by the U.S. Supreme Court over the years. Non-union concerted activity accounts for more than 5% of the agency’s recent caseload.
“A right only has value when people know it exists,” said NLRB Chairman Mark Gaston Pearce. “We think the right to engage in protected concerted activity is one of the best kept secrets of the National Labor Relations Act, and more important than ever in these difficult economic times. Our hope is that other workers will see themselves in the cases we’ve selected and understand that they do have strength in numbers.”
Click here for website version
Office of Public Affairs
202-273-1991
publicinfo@nlrb.gov
www.nlrb.gov
The National Labor Relations Board today made public a webpage that describes the rights of employees to act together for their mutual aid and protection, even if they are not in a union.
The page, at www.nlrb.gov/concerted-activity, tells the stories of more than a dozen recent cases involving protected concerted activity, which can be viewed by clicking points on a map. Among the cases: A construction crew fired after refusing to work in the rain near exposed electrical wires; a customer service representative who lost her job after discussing her wages with a coworker; an engineer at a vegetable packing plant fired after reporting safety concerns affecting other employees; a paramedic fired after posting work-related grievances on Facebook; and poultry workers fired after discussing their grievances with a newspaper reporter.
Some cases were quickly settled after charges were filed, while others progressed to a Board decision or to federal appellate courts. They were selected to show a variety of situations, but they have in common a finding at some point in the NLRB process that the activity that the employees undertook was protected under federal labor law.
The right to engage in certain types of concerted activity was written into the original 1935 National Labor Relations Act’s Section 7, which states that: “Employees shall have the right to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and shall also have the right to refrain from any or all such activities.”
That right has been upheld in numerous decisions by appellate courts and by the U.S. Supreme Court over the years. Non-union concerted activity accounts for more than 5% of the agency’s recent caseload.
“A right only has value when people know it exists,” said NLRB Chairman Mark Gaston Pearce. “We think the right to engage in protected concerted activity is one of the best kept secrets of the National Labor Relations Act, and more important than ever in these difficult economic times. Our hope is that other workers will see themselves in the cases we’ve selected and understand that they do have strength in numbers.”
Click here for website version
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Conway Employee's Got The Right Idea - A Post From Change Conway To Win Blog
We deserve better
Posted: 10 Jun 2012 08:10 PM PDT
Fellow Southern California UFV, UIV, ULA, ULB, ULX, UOR, USB, USD, UVC, now is the time to organize to combat favoritism, discrimination, abuse of power by supervisors, and punishment for insignificant things. It's time for a stress-free environment, to be treated humanely and not as a number. We need to communicate, educate and inform ourselves. We don't need to be in fear of fighting for our working rights. We deserve better treatment, respect, and dignity. Let’s organize to have a voice and stop this hostile work environment.
Posted: 10 Jun 2012 08:10 PM PDT
Fellow Southern California UFV, UIV, ULA, ULB, ULX, UOR, USB, USD, UVC, now is the time to organize to combat favoritism, discrimination, abuse of power by supervisors, and punishment for insignificant things. It's time for a stress-free environment, to be treated humanely and not as a number. We need to communicate, educate and inform ourselves. We don't need to be in fear of fighting for our working rights. We deserve better treatment, respect, and dignity. Let’s organize to have a voice and stop this hostile work environment.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
FedEx Freight to Raise Truck Pricing 6.9 Percent
William Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jun 8, 2012 5:33PM GMT
FedEx Freight, the nation’s largest stand-alone less-than-truckload carrier, is first out of the gate to raise pricing this summer with a 6.9 percent rate hike to take effect on July 9.
The industrial freight arm of FedEx also will adjust absolute minimum charges and accessorial rates and charges, but said its fuel surcharge will remain unchanged. The general rate increase only affects base tariff rates, not contract rates negotiated with individual shippers, and comes as carriers say higher rates are needed.
LTL and truckload carriers at recent shipping events said higher operating costs, especially for labor and equipment, make higher rates and cost-cutting necessary.
The 6.9 percent rate increase also matches GRIs issued by most publicly owned LTL carriers last summer, though it’s higher than most GRIs in previous years.
Last September, FedEx Freight raised base rates 6.75 percent. Companies including YRC Freight and Con-way Freight hiked tariff pricing 6.9 percent in July and August.
General rate increases don’t cover the majority of LTL freight, but they are a barometer for trucking industry demand.
Since the recession, LTL carriers say they are keeping a larger share of those rate hikes as discounting dwindles.
“We believe most of (FedEx’s) competitors will follow suit with a rate increase in the July-August timeframe,” said David G. Ross, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus.
Stifel Nicolaus expects LTL rates to climb 2 to 4 percent in 2012, as trucking operators retain pricing power during a choppy recovery.
Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.
FedEx Freight, the nation’s largest stand-alone less-than-truckload carrier, is first out of the gate to raise pricing this summer with a 6.9 percent rate hike to take effect on July 9.
The industrial freight arm of FedEx also will adjust absolute minimum charges and accessorial rates and charges, but said its fuel surcharge will remain unchanged. The general rate increase only affects base tariff rates, not contract rates negotiated with individual shippers, and comes as carriers say higher rates are needed.
LTL and truckload carriers at recent shipping events said higher operating costs, especially for labor and equipment, make higher rates and cost-cutting necessary.
The 6.9 percent rate increase also matches GRIs issued by most publicly owned LTL carriers last summer, though it’s higher than most GRIs in previous years.
Last September, FedEx Freight raised base rates 6.75 percent. Companies including YRC Freight and Con-way Freight hiked tariff pricing 6.9 percent in July and August.
General rate increases don’t cover the majority of LTL freight, but they are a barometer for trucking industry demand.
Since the recession, LTL carriers say they are keeping a larger share of those rate hikes as discounting dwindles.
“We believe most of (FedEx’s) competitors will follow suit with a rate increase in the July-August timeframe,” said David G. Ross, an analyst with Stifel Nicolaus.
Stifel Nicolaus expects LTL rates to climb 2 to 4 percent in 2012, as trucking operators retain pricing power during a choppy recovery.
Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.
Federal judge orders reinstatement of supermarket cashier in New Mexico
A federal judge has ordered an Albertsons grocery store in Albuquerque, New Mexico to reinstate a longtime cashier who was suspended and then fired after talking with union organizers and recommending unionization to fellow employees.
Judge James A. Parker of the U.S. District Court for New Mexico granted the National Labor Relations Board’s request for a temporary injunction, which also prohibits store managers from threatening employees or putting them under surveillance for union activity.
Before she was fired, the cashier met with organizers from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1564 and distributed union cards to coworkers. The cashier and the union filed charges with the NLRB resident office in Albuquerque. The NLRB investigated and issued complaint alleging numerous unfair labor practices. After a hearing, Administrative Law Judge William Schmidt issued a decision that found the suspension and firing and certain other actions by store managers were unlawful.
The injunction seeks to restore the rights of all employees to engage in union activities while the case continues through the NLRB process
Judge James A. Parker of the U.S. District Court for New Mexico granted the National Labor Relations Board’s request for a temporary injunction, which also prohibits store managers from threatening employees or putting them under surveillance for union activity.
Before she was fired, the cashier met with organizers from the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1564 and distributed union cards to coworkers. The cashier and the union filed charges with the NLRB resident office in Albuquerque. The NLRB investigated and issued complaint alleging numerous unfair labor practices. After a hearing, Administrative Law Judge William Schmidt issued a decision that found the suspension and firing and certain other actions by store managers were unlawful.
The injunction seeks to restore the rights of all employees to engage in union activities while the case continues through the NLRB process
Monday, June 4, 2012
Scope of change at FedEx unclear
The Commercial Appeal ( Memphis , TN )
May 31, 2012 Thursday
Final Edition
Scope of change at FedEx unclear;
Predicted restructuring expected to resemble '04
BYLINE: Wayne Risher risher@commercialappeal.com
Analysts don't know the size or scope of anticipated restructuring at Memphis-based FedEx Corp. but believe it could look more like 2004 than 2009.
Some believe personnel cuts are inevitable, but suggest the company is likely to pursue a voluntary approach that would rely on attrition and buyouts.
Looking toward an earnings report June 19 and an October investor meeting, the analyst world has been abuzz with speculation about what FedEx might do to boost disappointing profits in the Express division.
Some expect the company to announce a plan between now and October, while others say it's a work in progress.
Art Hatfield, analyst with Raymond James in Memphis , said Wednesday that restructuring is "not new news. They've been talking about restructuring their domestic network for awhile, and they've been in the process of doing it. I don't think it's going to be a big bang."
"I don't know how big it's going to be," Hatfield continued. "My suspicion is that nobody is going to be asked to leave involuntarily. My suspicion is it will be done voluntarily."
"We're not saying that's going to happen. I'm just saying that makes sense. You cannot take assets out of service without affecting people."
Scott Stratton, leader of FedEx's Air Line Pilots Association unit, said the union hadn't received an official briefing on the potential restructuring, but was open to talking.
FedEx declined comment.
Helane Becker, analyst with Dahlman Rose & Co., speculated FedEx would offer an early retirement program rather than using layoffs.
In 2003, with the economy still recovering from Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, FedEx dangled voluntary buyouts as part of a push toward 10 percent operating margins.
The offer got more takers than the company anticipated and trimmed about 3,600 from the payroll by June 30, 2005.
In 2009, the company eliminated 3,100 jobs, some of them involuntarily, in an effort to balance expenses against weak demand coming out of the great recession.
One round of those cuts slashed 1,000 jobs companywide, including an estimated 500 in Memphis , where FedEx employs about 30,000.
Becker said in a research note she expects FedEx to follow a strategy similar to what DHL outlined recently: increasing revenues and productivity and reducing costs.
"We believe the focus will be on replacing three-crew, three-engine aircraft with two-crew, two-engine aircraft," Becker wrote. "This will save approximately $500 million annually on maintenance costs, fuel costs and crew costs. Older aircraft comprise about 25 percent of FedEx's fleet, so the bottom line impact of $1 a share is very real."
FedEx Express' fleet modernization program calls for 48 Boeing 727s, four MD 10s and 10 MD 11s to be replaced by newer, more-fuel-efficient aircraft, including Boeing 757s, 767s and 777s over the next five years.
With Express margins languishing - the last three quarters were 4.4 percent, 5.2 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively - Becker and others believe fleet replacement and network rationalization will be accelerated.
"I think it's going to be more aggressive," she said. "They'll probably push it along and make it happen faster."
May 31, 2012 Thursday
Final Edition
Scope of change at FedEx unclear;
Predicted restructuring expected to resemble '04
BYLINE: Wayne Risher risher@commercialappeal.com
Analysts don't know the size or scope of anticipated restructuring at Memphis-based FedEx Corp. but believe it could look more like 2004 than 2009.
Some believe personnel cuts are inevitable, but suggest the company is likely to pursue a voluntary approach that would rely on attrition and buyouts.
Looking toward an earnings report June 19 and an October investor meeting, the analyst world has been abuzz with speculation about what FedEx might do to boost disappointing profits in the Express division.
Some expect the company to announce a plan between now and October, while others say it's a work in progress.
Art Hatfield, analyst with Raymond James in Memphis , said Wednesday that restructuring is "not new news. They've been talking about restructuring their domestic network for awhile, and they've been in the process of doing it. I don't think it's going to be a big bang."
"I don't know how big it's going to be," Hatfield continued. "My suspicion is that nobody is going to be asked to leave involuntarily. My suspicion is it will be done voluntarily."
"We're not saying that's going to happen. I'm just saying that makes sense. You cannot take assets out of service without affecting people."
Scott Stratton, leader of FedEx's Air Line Pilots Association unit, said the union hadn't received an official briefing on the potential restructuring, but was open to talking.
FedEx declined comment.
Helane Becker, analyst with Dahlman Rose & Co., speculated FedEx would offer an early retirement program rather than using layoffs.
In 2003, with the economy still recovering from Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, FedEx dangled voluntary buyouts as part of a push toward 10 percent operating margins.
The offer got more takers than the company anticipated and trimmed about 3,600 from the payroll by June 30, 2005.
In 2009, the company eliminated 3,100 jobs, some of them involuntarily, in an effort to balance expenses against weak demand coming out of the great recession.
One round of those cuts slashed 1,000 jobs companywide, including an estimated 500 in Memphis , where FedEx employs about 30,000.
Becker said in a research note she expects FedEx to follow a strategy similar to what DHL outlined recently: increasing revenues and productivity and reducing costs.
"We believe the focus will be on replacing three-crew, three-engine aircraft with two-crew, two-engine aircraft," Becker wrote. "This will save approximately $500 million annually on maintenance costs, fuel costs and crew costs. Older aircraft comprise about 25 percent of FedEx's fleet, so the bottom line impact of $1 a share is very real."
FedEx Express' fleet modernization program calls for 48 Boeing 727s, four MD 10s and 10 MD 11s to be replaced by newer, more-fuel-efficient aircraft, including Boeing 757s, 767s and 777s over the next five years.
With Express margins languishing - the last three quarters were 4.4 percent, 5.2 percent and 5.3 percent, respectively - Becker and others believe fleet replacement and network rationalization will be accelerated.
"I think it's going to be more aggressive," she said. "They'll probably push it along and make it happen faster."
Friday, June 1, 2012
2.2% Increase to Top of Scale at SBO
At wednesday's drivers pre shift meeting, it was announced that p&d drivers at SBO will be getting a .55 cent increase to the "top of scale" in June. Also , the dock scale would go up .50 cents. The line haul had a .01 cent increase.
No infromation on any mechanic or clerical increases yet.
With an increase of this amount you can bet that Fedex must be worried about our campaigne!
The Time To Organize Is NOW! Be Wise And Organize
No infromation on any mechanic or clerical increases yet.
With an increase of this amount you can bet that Fedex must be worried about our campaigne!
The Time To Organize Is NOW! Be Wise And Organize
FedEx tBrazilian Transportation Company
Mark Szakonyi, Associate Editor | May 29, 2012 3:28PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Parcel + Package
| Supply Chain Management
| South America
Acquisition helps counter growing UPS presence in top South American economic engine
FedEx plans to acquire a major Brazilian transportation and logistics company, as the parcel giant works to counters the increased UPS presence in the top South American economic engine.
FedEx didn’t disclose the terms of the acquisition of Rapidao Cometa Logistica e Transportes, a roughly 9,000-employee company with 45 operation branches, and about 770 vehicles and trailers. UPS is expanding its presence in Brazil through its $6.8 billion acquisition of TNT Express, Europe’s second-largest package delivery company.
“The acquisition of Rapidao Cometa — one of the largest logistics solutions providers in Brazil — is in line with our long-term strategy to grow our Latin American business and better serve our customers seeking to enter or expand their businesses in the Brazilian market,” said Juan Cento, FedEx Express president of Latin America and the Caribbean.” FedEx will now be able to provide a more comprehensive portfolio of services in Brazil, including international air express, domestic ground and value-added services such as supply chain and logistics solutions.”
The FedEx acquisition of Rapidao Cometa, a company that the former has worked with for 11 years, is the latest acquisition aimed at countering the UPS expansion through the purchase of TNT. FedEx said in mid-April that it is in negotiations to buy Tatex, a French express shipping company, and the Memphis-based company bought Polish courier company Opek two week earlier.
For UPS, Brazilian revenue growth helped drive a 7.8 percent in its average revenue per package in the Americas in the first quarter compared to the same period a year ago. That pricing increasingly helped offset a slip in daily package volume of 2 percent.
Rapidao Cometa has the capacity to reach more than 3,500 locations and serves all the states within Brazil. The acquisition will expand the FedEx workforce in Brazil to more than 9,500.
Acquisition helps counter growing UPS presence in top South American economic engine
Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @szakonyi_joc.
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Parcel + Package
| Supply Chain Management
| South America
Acquisition helps counter growing UPS presence in top South American economic engine
FedEx plans to acquire a major Brazilian transportation and logistics company, as the parcel giant works to counters the increased UPS presence in the top South American economic engine.
FedEx didn’t disclose the terms of the acquisition of Rapidao Cometa Logistica e Transportes, a roughly 9,000-employee company with 45 operation branches, and about 770 vehicles and trailers. UPS is expanding its presence in Brazil through its $6.8 billion acquisition of TNT Express, Europe’s second-largest package delivery company.
“The acquisition of Rapidao Cometa — one of the largest logistics solutions providers in Brazil — is in line with our long-term strategy to grow our Latin American business and better serve our customers seeking to enter or expand their businesses in the Brazilian market,” said Juan Cento, FedEx Express president of Latin America and the Caribbean.” FedEx will now be able to provide a more comprehensive portfolio of services in Brazil, including international air express, domestic ground and value-added services such as supply chain and logistics solutions.”
The FedEx acquisition of Rapidao Cometa, a company that the former has worked with for 11 years, is the latest acquisition aimed at countering the UPS expansion through the purchase of TNT. FedEx said in mid-April that it is in negotiations to buy Tatex, a French express shipping company, and the Memphis-based company bought Polish courier company Opek two week earlier.
For UPS, Brazilian revenue growth helped drive a 7.8 percent in its average revenue per package in the Americas in the first quarter compared to the same period a year ago. That pricing increasingly helped offset a slip in daily package volume of 2 percent.
Rapidao Cometa has the capacity to reach more than 3,500 locations and serves all the states within Brazil. The acquisition will expand the FedEx workforce in Brazil to more than 9,500.
Acquisition helps counter growing UPS presence in top South American economic engine
Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @szakonyi_joc.
FedEx to Open Japan Hub
Mike King, Special Correspondent | May 28, 2012 1:59PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Parcel + Package
| Cargo Airlines
| International Air
| Asia
| North America
| United States
New facility in Osaka will handle shipments in northern Asia-Pacific
FedEx Express will set up a new regional hub for the North Pacific in Japan in 2014.
The center will be located at a new 82,000-square-foot facility at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and will include customs clearance, ramp, sort and transshipment operations and will be used to consolidate shipments from northern Asia to the U.S.
The role of its Asia-Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, will not be affected, FedEx said.
David L. Cunningham Jr., president of FedEx Express’s Asia-Pacific operations, said the new facility would enable the company to meet growing demand, with Asian trade volume set to reach $14 trillion by 2015.
Contact Mike King at Michael@borderline.eu.com.
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Parcel + Package
| Cargo Airlines
| International Air
| Asia
| North America
| United States
New facility in Osaka will handle shipments in northern Asia-Pacific
FedEx Express will set up a new regional hub for the North Pacific in Japan in 2014.
The center will be located at a new 82,000-square-foot facility at Osaka’s Kansai International Airport and will include customs clearance, ramp, sort and transshipment operations and will be used to consolidate shipments from northern Asia to the U.S.
The role of its Asia-Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, will not be affected, FedEx said.
David L. Cunningham Jr., president of FedEx Express’s Asia-Pacific operations, said the new facility would enable the company to meet growing demand, with Asian trade volume set to reach $14 trillion by 2015.
Contact Mike King at Michael@borderline.eu.com.
FedEx Completes Tatex Acquisition
William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | May 11, 2012 5:44PM GMT
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Parcel + Package
| Supply Chain Management
| Europe
| Western Europe
Express carrier strengthens international giant hand in Europe
FedEx wrapped up its second European acquisition in two months May 10, signing an agreement to purchase French express shipping company Tatex.
The business-to-business express carrier has 1,000 employees and a nationwide network in France, including a central hub in Lieusaint, just south of Paris.
Tatex carries more than 19 million parcels a year, specializing in the high-tech, spare parts, automotive and clothing sectors, and has about $198 million in revenue.
The company has 35 shipping centers including six regional hubs in France.
In April FedEx bought Polish courier company Opek, its first European acquisition following UPS’s $6.8 billion takeover of the Dutch TNT Express in mid-March.
FedEx is also growing organically in Europe, opening 26 stations across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Northern Ireland so far in fiscal 2012.
The acquisitions of Tatex and Opek are expected to boost FedEx’s annual sales in Europe by about $270 million.
Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.
The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story
Parcel + Package
| Supply Chain Management
| Europe
| Western Europe
Express carrier strengthens international giant hand in Europe
FedEx wrapped up its second European acquisition in two months May 10, signing an agreement to purchase French express shipping company Tatex.
The business-to-business express carrier has 1,000 employees and a nationwide network in France, including a central hub in Lieusaint, just south of Paris.
Tatex carries more than 19 million parcels a year, specializing in the high-tech, spare parts, automotive and clothing sectors, and has about $198 million in revenue.
The company has 35 shipping centers including six regional hubs in France.
In April FedEx bought Polish courier company Opek, its first European acquisition following UPS’s $6.8 billion takeover of the Dutch TNT Express in mid-March.
FedEx is also growing organically in Europe, opening 26 stations across France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Northern Ireland so far in fiscal 2012.
The acquisitions of Tatex and Opek are expected to boost FedEx’s annual sales in Europe by about $270 million.
Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.
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