✉️🥶🏗️ Post Haste Savings, Icebreaker Cruise, & Dock Solidarity
Good morning! ☀️
Happy Thursday, logistics warriors! Today’s edition is packed with more twists than an Alaskan fjord.
👉 First up, USPS is pulling the plug on those sweet discounts for shipping consolidators like UPS and DHL. Get ready for a potential price hike on last-mile deliveries (your wallet may feel the pinch).
👉 Meanwhile, the Carnival Spirit channeled its inner Titanic, having a not-so-romantic run-in with an iceberg. Thankfully, no harm done—except maybe to our trust in open waters.
👉 And in the labor world, FreightWaves took us on a stroll down memory lane, revisiting the ILA's 1977 strike and their ongoing fight alongside the ILWU against the rise of automation.
Buckle up—it’s a bumpy ride today!
“Go until you fail, then keep going.”
USPS Ends Shipping Discounts for Consolidators
The U.S. Postal Service is officially ending discounts for shipping consolidators like UPS and DHL in a bid to cut losses and boost efficiency. These consolidators handle about 2 billion packages yearly—25% of USPS's total volume.
Now, USPS is pushing for more direct use of their services (hello, Ground Advantage!). While this move might mean higher costs for consumers, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says it’s all about financial sustainability.
👀 Why this matters: If you’re in transportation and logistics, brace for potential cost hikes if you're using consolidators. This could hit your bottom line, but it also opens doors for a direct USPS approach for last-mile deliveries.
🔥 Hot Take: USPS is making moves to stay competitive in a changing shipping world. Consolidators might feel the squeeze, but this could create new opportunities for those paying attention. Time to rethink your last-mile strategy!
Carnival Cruise Ship Hits Iceberg, Passengers Unfazed
Last week, the Carnival Spirit had a close encounter with an iceberg while cruising through Alaska’s stunning Tracy Arm Fjord. Luckily, no one was hurt, and the ship didn’t sustain any damage. Carnival called it a run-in with a “drifting piece of ice,” but passengers weren’t phased—one even joked about the “Titanic moment” in a viral TikTok!
After a quick check for damages, the cruise went on as planned. While Alaska’s waters are tough to navigate with floating ice and strong winds, today’s cruise ships are built for it, and experts say incidents like this are rare.
💡 Why It Matters: Even the most reliable routes can be unpredictable (whether it’s icebergs or something else). In transportation and logistics, this is a solid reminder to always be ready for unexpected challenges!
🔥 Hot Take: If cruise ships are adapting to icy waters, logistics companies should be beefing up their strategies for dealing with the unknown too!
ILA and ILWU: Dockworkers’ Unions Stand Strong Against Automation
A recent FreightWaves article took a look back at the 1977 ILA (International Longshoremen’s Association) strike and its long history of standing strong with the ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union). Even though the ILA doesn’t strike often, 2012 saw them almost walk out over issues like wages, container royalties, and automation. The ILWU had their back then, and both unions are still committed to fighting automation in their industry.
The ILA managed to avoid a strike in 2012, securing key wins like job protection for workers displaced by tech. Fast forward to today, and the solidarity between these unions is as strong as ever as they push for fair contracts and job security.
🔍 Why It Matters: Labor disputes at ports can cause major disruptions in the supply chain. Plus, the fight against automation could slow down tech improvements at the ports, potentially impacting efficiency strategies.
🔥 Hot Take: Automation isn’t just a tech issue; it’s a labor issue. Unions are prepared to battle for the future, so keeping an eye on this could be key to your logistics strategy.
Daily Riddle:
I save time but take jobs away,
I streamline tasks both night and day.
Though I don’t need sleep or pay,
What am I, in the modern way?
____________
Previous Riddle Answer: Reliability
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for December 23, 2024, from iLevel Logistics Inc.