🚛 Jersey Joust
Good morning! As we dash through the final week before Christmas, it's time to take stock of the incredible challenges and innovations that have shaped this industry throughout the year. From ongoing disruptions in global trade to the relentless pursuit of sustainability and the ever-evolving world of technology, the logistics landscape has been a whirlwind of change.
So, grab your coffee, get your to-do list ready, and let's dive into this special Monday edition of the Workday Dash!❤️🚛🎄
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New Jersey Sues STG Logistics
The New Jersey Labor Department is taking STG Logistics to court, saying they treated truck drivers as freelancers instead of employees, which breaks state rules. This lawsuit is the first of its kind under a law from 2021 that lets New Jersey go after businesses that misclassify workers. The whole thing started when STG Drayage was part of XPO Logistics Drayage, but then they sold their intermodal business to STG Logistics in March 2022.
The lawsuit says XPO drivers, including those in Newark, had to sign contracts saying they were independent contractors. They had to pay for truck maintenance themselves, and money was taken out of their pay for different expenses. Even though they owned their trucks, they could only use them for XPO, and they were tracked with GPS. XPO set their rates, and the lawsuit claims drivers got paid less than minimum wage. STG Logistics is now on the hook for what XPO did before they bought the business.
Check out today’s featured article from Landline to learn more about why the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is suing STG Logistics, and what it could mean for the company next year. Will the misclassification be hurtful to the company this far into the year?
Featured Article
New Jersey sues trucking company accused of misclassifying truckers | Land Line
“The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has filed a lawsuit against STG Logistics, claiming the trucking company has been misclassifying drivers as independent contractors.”
Ports & Money
The $21 Billion Upgrade Transforming U.S. Ports
The Biden administration is giving a big cash boost to U.S. ports, including Baltimore, to upgrade their facilities. Baltimore is getting $47 million to start an offshore wind manufacturing hub and improve cargo handling, including a new spot for rolling cargo.
Overall, more than $653 million in grants from the Port Infrastructure Development Program are going to ports all around the country. These funds are meant to make ports work better, handle bigger ships, and fix supply chain problems, which should make U.S. ports more appealing to shipping companies and help goods flow to and from the Midwest.
NASA & Aerospace
In Orbit Aerospace Aims to Become Premier Third-Party Logistics Provider For Science
In Orbit Aerospace, a California-based space startup, is making waves in the world of space commerce. They're all about providing logistics services in space, kind of like the UPS or FedEx of the cosmos. What's unique is that they're creating orbital platforms and spacecraft that can help with manufacturing and research up there. Imagine having your space factory or lab!
In Orbit Aerospace has teamed up with NASA to test their tech on the International Space Station. They're focusing on making sure their spacecraft can dock and transfer stuff around in zero gravity. Their first big demo mission is set for early 2025.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
Checking out the scoop outside of the United States…
🇰🇵 U.S. Issues Stark Warning to North Korea. The United States and South Korea have issued a strong warning to North Korea, stating that any nuclear attack against the U.S. or its allies, especially South Korea, would result in the end of the Kim Jong Un regime. This warning was delivered during a meeting in Washington focused on nuclear deterrence and enhancing coordination in the event of a conflict with North Korea.
🌴 Rising Challenges and Record Migration through the Darien Jungle. The Darien jungle region between Colombia and Panama, once considered impassable, has become a surprisingly swift but demanding route for hundreds of thousands of global migrants seeking refuge from economic hardships and violence. Over 506,000 migrants, including a significant number of Venezuelans, crossed this challenging terrain by mid-December, doubling the previous year's record, sparking migration debates not only in Latin America but also on Mediterranean and Atlantic routes to Europe.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🔋 Half of Americans Lack Garages For Easy EV Charging. Mickey Anderson, CEO of Baxter Auto Group, has expressed doubts about President Joe Biden's plan to require 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032, citing the challenge of charging electric vehicles for the nearly half of Americans who lack garages. Anderson advocates for a more flexible approach, allowing consumer preferences and adoption rates to determine the pace of the transition to EVs, emphasizing the importance of accommodating consumer needs and choices.
🪧 Teamsters Union Votes in Favor of Potential Strike at Anheuser-Busch. The Teamsters union, representing 5,000 members at Anheuser-Busch's 12 U.S. breweries, has overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike if a new labor contract is not reached by early next year. The strike authorization stems from demands for higher wages, job security, and improved benefits, with negotiations on these issues stalled since mid-November.
📱 Apple Enhances Passcode Security on iPhones to Deter Thieves. Apple has introduced a Stolen Device Protection feature in the beta version of iOS 17.3, requiring the use of Face ID or Touch ID instead of a passcode for accessing sensitive information like passwords, Apple ID settings, payment details, and disabling Find My iPhone. This added security layer is intended to deter thieves who may have had access to passcodes, making it harder for them to wipe and sell stolen iPhones, with the public release expected early next year.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
🛢 US Frackers Make a Comeback, Challenging OPEC's Pricing Strategy. US shale oil production has exceeded expectations, reaching record levels and complicating OPEC's efforts to stabilize oil prices through supply cuts. The US government initially projected an average of 12.5 million barrels per day for domestic production this quarter, but it has since revised that estimate to 13.3 million barrels per day, underscoring the significant influence of US shale producers on the global oil market and challenging OPEC's supply management strategy.
🚗 US Expresses Concern Over Mexico's Attraction of Chinese Electric Vehicle Factories. Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers like MG, BYD, and Chery are considering building factories in Mexico due to favorable conditions, including lower labor costs and access to the USMCA trade deal. This move has raised concerns in the US that such investments could provide a way for Chinese EVs to enter the US market, potentially bypassing trade restrictions, as the US seeks to maintain its leadership in the EV manufacturing sector and is closely monitoring these developments.
💰 Only 10 Cars Eligible for the $7,500 Electric Vehicle Tax Credit in 2024. Starting January 1, 2024, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will impose stricter requirements for electric vehicles to qualify for the federal tax credit of up to $7,500. To be eligible, an EV or plug-in hybrid must be manufactured in North America and exclude battery components from foreign entities of concern like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, aiming to promote domestic manufacturing but limiting the number of qualifying EVs to only 10 in 2024 while excluding many foreign-made EVs from the credit.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 22, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.