U.S. Logistics Infrastructure Problems Could Mean Higher Shipping Costs, Longer Delivery Times
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U.S. Logistics Infrastructure Problems Could Mean Higher Shipping Costs, Longer Delivery Times

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently released a report card of U.S. infrastructure, including roadways and bridges that the trucking industry depends upon to transport 68 percent of of all U.S. freight tonnage. Already, bridges have collapsed in Saint Paul, Minnesota; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Mount Vernon, Washington. The ASCE gave roadways in…

FedEx Chief of Freight Warns of Global Transportation Infrastructure Problems

FedEx Chief of Freight Warns of Global Transportation Infrastructure Problems

Chief of Freight for FedEx, Bill Logue, recently spoke to the National Industrial Transportation League in Huston, Texas, and made frightening predictions for the future of the world’s transportation infrastructure systems. According to Logue, the problems are across the board, including issues with roadways and bridges, airports, and seaports. The Federal Highway Administration predicts that…

U.S. Automotive Factories Face Pressure from Overseas to Unionize
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U.S. Automotive Factories Face Pressure from Overseas to Unionize

As reported earlier, a non-union Nissan plant in Mississippi is under pressure from the United Auto Workers union (UAW) is orchestrating picketers at Nissan dealerships in Brazil, just as the country, travel agencies, and authorities are trying to stage a positive environment for the upcoming Olympic games. Now, another automotive factory, the Volkswagen facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee…

U.S. Justice Department Examining Whether Metals Warehouses are Violating Anti-Trust Laws

U.S. Justice Department Examining Whether Metals Warehouses are Violating Anti-Trust Laws

In November, the London Metals Exchange cracked down on the metals warehouses it regulates, such as soda and beer can manufacturers, after years of complaints by metals consumers that the warehouses were limiting supplies and driving up costs. Now, the U.S. Justice Department is getting involved, but refuses to say exactly how investigations are proceeding.

US Postal Service Announces Additional Rate Hikes for 2014
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US Postal Service Announces Additional Rate Hikes for 2014

In the face of a $20 million budget gap, the U.S. Postal Service has announced its second rate hike to take effect in 2014. The latest announcement, on Nov. 14, included shipping rates for its flat rate services. A retail flat rate, padded flat rate, and priority express legal flat rate envelopes will cost $19.99…

New Congressional Bill Would Apply Same Rest Regulations to Cargo Pilots and Pilots of Passenger Planes
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New Congressional Bill Would Apply Same Rest Regulations to Cargo Pilots and Pilots of Passenger Planes

The Teamsters and the Independent Pilots Association have both thrown their support behind a new bill in Congress known as the Safe Skies Act of 2013. This bill would apply the same regulations governing rest periods to cargo pilots that are already in place for pilots of passenger planes. The bill would affect the pilots of…

Department of Justice Not Considering United or Delta for Devested Slots at Reagan National
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Department of Justice Not Considering United or Delta for Devested Slots at Reagan National

American Airlines and US Airways are giving up 52 vested slots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport as part of an agreement with the Department of Justice in order to get plans for their merger approved. Without buyers for these slots, some small and mid-sized airports around the country could lose flights into Washington National…

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Amazon Steps Up the Competition With Sunday Delivery Options

According to a new report by the Los Angeles Times, Amazon is blazing into the holiday season with a new option for its customers, Sunday deliveries. The deliveries are part of a joint effort with the United States Postal Service, which plans to use flexible worker schedules to cover the delivery routes instead of hiring…

London Metal Exchange Approves New Regulations Aimed at Reducing Bottlenecks in Warehouses

London Metal Exchange Approves New Regulations Aimed at Reducing Bottlenecks in Warehouses

The London Metal Exchange (LME) decided on new regulations this past Thursday, Nov. 7, aimed at addressing bottlenecks of metals in its warehouses. According to The Wall Street Journal, these bottlenecks are usually caused when warehouses reserve metals for traders and bankers, which are using it to raise working capital. The situation has become particularly…