🏗️🚩🚂 Docked and Loaded, Taxing Red Flags, & Railroaded Growth
Good morning! ☀️
Buckle up, today’s logistics news is rolling in hot:
👉 First up, Harold Daggett, the ILA chief, is making waves by doubling down on his tough stance—watch out for a potential strike at US East and Gulf coast ports. Yep, things could get messy fast!
👉 Meanwhile, the IRS says it’s not coming for your audits if you’re under $400K, but don’t relax too much—some parts of your return could still raise eyebrows.
👉 And finally, rail customers are calling for more regulation to stop freight from jumping ship (or rather, rails) to trucks, which could really put the brakes on railroads’ growth.
Hold on tight, it's gonna be a bumpy ride today in the world of logistics.
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
Potential Port Strike Looms Amidst Rising Tensions
Big news in the logistics world: Harold Daggett, leader of the ILA, just doubled down on his tough stance, signaling a potential strike at US East and Gulf coast ports. He’s calling out USMX for “corporate greed” and pushing back on automation and wages. It’s all setting the stage for some major supply chain headaches.
Industry leaders like Stephanie Loomis are bracing for the worst. With political tensions rising and the U.S. election looming, shippers are crossing their fingers for some White House intervention. But with the election so close, nothing’s certain.
💡 Why You Should Care: If these ports go on strike, expect delays, rising costs, and disruptions—right in the middle of peak shipping season!
🔥 Hot Take: The ILA’s anti-automation stance might be shortsighted. In the long run, automation could ease labor strain and boost efficiency, but they seem to be focused on immediate gains.
IRS Audits: What You Should Know
Even though the IRS isn’t ramping up audits on those making less than $400K, certain parts of your return can still catch their eye. Right now, they’re laser-focused on high earners, big corporations, and complex partnerships, having just recovered $1.3 billion from wealthy individuals. But if you’re underreporting income or claiming big deductions without proper proof, an audit could be in your future, no matter your income.
🚨 Heads up, crypto investors! The IRS is increasing enforcement on digital assets, with new rules coming in 2026.
💡 Why It Matters: For anyone in transportation and logistics, taxes can seriously impact your bottom line. Missing income or stretching those deductions can trigger an IRS audit, and that’s a headache you don’t want.
🔥 Hot Take: With the IRS focusing on crypto and complex returns, logistics companies should tighten up their tax strategies. Good record-keeping could save you a lot of trouble down the road!
Railroads vs. Trucks: Can Rail Service Keep Up?
Rail customers are calling for more regulation to keep freight from shifting to trucks, which could slow railroads' growth. Big players like Frito-Lay and Kraft Heinz say unreliable rail service makes doing business tough, forcing them to rely more on trucking, despite safety concerns. Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR) is also being blamed for cutting rail capacity, which means more freight hitting the roads.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is stepping in to address these concerns. Railroads argue they're investing in service improvements, but warn that new regulations—like California’s zero-emission rules—could derail future projects. It’s clear that a better balance between regulation, service quality, and pricing is needed for the rail industry to grow.
🔍 Why It Matters: If rail service continues to falter, expect higher costs and tighter capacity on the roads, which could impact your logistics operations.
🔥 Hot Take: Railroads need to stop chasing short-term profits and focus on long-term reliability. Otherwise, trucking will keep winning.
Daily Riddle:
I'm the key to trust, both near and far,
Without me, progress stalls like a broken car.
In work or play, I help you thrive,
Depend on me, and your plans survive.
What am I?
__________
Previous Riddle Answer: Disruptions
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for September 20, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.