PRO act gains traction despite push-back from independent contractors
Good morning! Today is a very special day as we celebrate National Margarita Day. As we raise our glasses to this beloved cocktail, we are reminded of the intricate supply chain that makes it all possible. From the sourcing of the key ingredients to the distribution of the finished product, the margarita industry relies heavily on a well-functioning supply chain. So, in honor of this festive occasion, let's take a closer look at the role of supply chain management in bringing this delicious drink to our tables. Cheers! 🥂
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The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is a proposed federal labor law that aims to strengthen and protect workers' rights to unionize, collectively bargain, and engage in other forms of collective action. The federal government, particularly the current administration, is pushing for the PRO Act for several reasons - however, some independent contractors are not a fan of the legislation.
Check out today’s featured article from Reason.com to read about the advancement of the PRO act and what it could mean for independent contractors and freelancers in the supply chain industry.
Featured Article:
Biden Wants To Restrict Work and Flexibility for Freelancers | Reason.com
“Most independent contractors don’t want the PRO Act anyway.”
Covid-19 & Health 💉
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response gets restructuring regarding vaccine stockpiling
The Department of Health and Human Services has a smaller agency within it called the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and it has been responsible for much of the vaccine supplies available to the public in recent years. In recent years there have been concerns about the effectiveness of ASPR in fulfilling its mission, and there have been calls for its restructuring.
One of the key criticisms of ASPR is that there is a lack of coordination between the agency and other public health agencies. This can lead to confusion and inefficiencies during emergency response efforts. There have been concerns that ASPR’s responsibilities overlap with those of other federal agencies, resulting in duplication of efforts and inefficiencies. Proposed changes include improving coordination, reducing duplication of efforts, providing adequate funding, and appointing strong leadership.
AI & Technology 🤖
Robotic sales surge by 11% in 2022, signaling more growth in the near future.
Industrial robot sales increased 11% last year in North America, up by 44,200 units. Warehouses are increasingly investing in robots to improve efficiency, reduce costs, improve accuracy, adapt to changing demand, take advantage of technological advancements, and address labor shortages. As robotics technology continues to advance, it is likely that more warehouses will adopt robotic systems in the years to come.
Robots can work faster and more efficiently than human workers, which can improve the speed and accuracy of warehouse operations. They can work 24/7 without rest or breaks, which can lead to significant productivity gains. Additionally, advances in robotics technology have made robots more affordable, reliable, and adaptable to different warehouse environments. They can also be integrated with other warehouse management systems, such as inventory tracking and order management software, to improve overall efficiency.
Let’s Get Global 🌎
✂️ European middlemen to Amazon are being cut out of the deal. The latest effort of Amazon is to cut as many costs as possible, including buying products directly from brands instead of using middlemen. Amazon advised its European vendors of this change in advance, however, Germany, the UK, and the European Union will all be deeply affected. The change will result in Amazon relying primarily upon 3rd party merchants to stockpile inventory. This could affect approximately 20,000 vendors and limit the availability of some products.
💸 For 20 years, London’s Congestion Charge has proven successful. London's Congestion Charge is a fee imposed by the government to drivers who wish to enter certain parts of central London during designated times. It was introduced in 2003 as a way to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and encourage the use of public transport. The scheme has been successful in reducing traffic congestion, although there has been some criticism of the charge from motorists who argue that it is an unfair burden on drivers.
✈️ Airlines are coming together to create more sustainable aviation fuel. United, Air Canada, Boeing, GE Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell are partnering to invest $100 million into The United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund. This fund is meant to funnel money into venture capital-backed projects that will expand the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Customers make partake in the initiative through United Airlines by donating to the fund in exchange for 500 United MileagePlus frequent flyer miles.
iLevel With You 🏡
More topics for the average American household to consider…
🔋 Electric vehicles cost Americans $66k on average as of 2023. This is a 13% increase year over year, highlighting how challenging it is for so many Americans to afford green energy transportation. Electric vehicles tend to be more expensive because, despite advancements in battery technology, the cost of producing a high-quality, long-lasting battery is still relatively high. However, as technology continues to improve and economies of scale are achieved, the cost of batteries is expected to decrease.
🏚️ American household debt hits a 15-year high of $17 trillion. Spiraling towards levels only seen during the 2008 financial crisis, US household debt has increased by $320 billion in the last 3 months of 2022. The average American household owed $142,680 at the closing of the year, signaling that the economy cannot take any more blows. The average credit card annual percentage rate has reached 19.14% - beating the last record set in July of 1991 at 19%.
Get Smart 🧠
Ramp up that brain power for these advanced topics…
👕 Bloated inventory glut up 50% in Under Armour’s supply chain. A 50% increase in inventory can be difficult for a retailer due to the need for additional storage space, strain on cash flow, increased risk of stockouts, and additional challenges in inventory management. Retailers need to carefully consider the costs and benefits of increasing inventory levels to ensure that they are making informed decisions that align with their business goals.
💡 KPIs have evolved post-pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused businesses to rethink their KPIs and focus on areas such as remote work productivity, customer experience, supply chain resilience, and employee health and safety. As the business landscape continues to evolve, companies will need to continue to adapt their KPIs to stay competitive and meet changing customer and employee needs.
🤖 Human labor and robots should work hand in hand. While there are many benefits to using robots in the workplace, it is important to recognize that robots cannot completely replace human workers. Here are some reasons why human labor and robots should work hand in hand. Humans and robots have different strengths and weaknesses. Humans excel at tasks that require creativity, decision-making, and adaptability, while robots excel at tasks that are repetitive, require precision, and involve heavy lifting. By working together, humans and robots can complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses to achieve better outcomes.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for November 28, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.