Fleets weigh whether to keep pandemic-driven digital changes

Some are concerned a growing impersonal transactional model could threaten trucking's historic reliance on relationships with customers.

By Jim Stinson • June 4, 2020

What to consider when bringing back furloughed employees

The process, known as "reboarding," requires managers to consider tactical, legal and talent factors.

By Aman Kidwai • June 4, 2020

ATA forges ahead with MCE as other conferences cancel

Conferences are a major source of income for trucking, freight and logistics organizations, and the pandemic did substantial damage to the revenue of the parent firms of such events.

By Jim Stinson • June 2, 2020

LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics launch COVID-19 return-to-work services

Among other services, the labs said they will offer on-site testing and employee-health questionnaires.

By Kate Tornone • June 2, 2020

OSHA COVID-19 guidance details how to determine if employee illness is work related

The agency is reinstating enforcement of recordkeeping related to the coronavirus, it said in a memo. 

By Kim Slowey • June 1, 2020

Hirschbach moves all training online, spurred by the pandemic

The switch to digital hiring and training is made easier because the fleet usually hires drivers with experience on the road and a CDL ready to use.

By Jim Stinson • May 29, 2020

ATA pushes Congress for temporary tort protections as businesses reopen

"As we move from the crisis to recovery, we should be supporting truck drivers and ambulance drivers, not ambulance chasers," ATA's EVP of advocacy said.

By Jim Stinson • May 29, 2020

Trump roils waters in debate between 3PLs, carriers

Owner-operators and Trump accuse intermediaries of price gouging, but brokers say there is an obvious freight decline creating a supply-demand imbalance and low rates. 

By Jim Stinson • May 28, 2020

13 trucking groups, carriers file documents in support of CTA's AB5 lawsuit

The injunction has allowed owner-operators in California to maintain contracts and avoid the volatile open market. 

By S.L. Fuller • May 22, 2020

UnitedHealth, Microsoft launch COVID-19 screening app for employers

Trucking, declared an essential business, can expose drivers to more people along their routes. That makes detection, treatment and contact tracing vital.

By Rebecca Pifer • May 21, 2020

Uber Freight partnership gives rideshare drivers entry to a challenging open market

As spot rates sag, the broker teams with Ryder and CloudTrucks to allow CDL holders to rejoin the trucking industry. 

By S.L. Fuller • May 11, 2020

20K signatures: Calls grow for targeted federal relief

A KeepTruckin petition calls for targeted economic relief for insurance and truck payment costs, as officials warn of a "freight cliff" that could leave small carriers with inadequate liquidity to survive past the coronavirus crisis. 

By Jim Stinson • April 28, 2020

FourKites: Data can help prepare for delays as New York City dwell times surge

Although the data is available, fleets are still in the process of transitioning to artificial intelligence to sort through the incoming gigabytes of information per hour, and make simple recommendations to drivers and dispatch offices.   

By Jim Stinson • April 27, 2020

EEOC greenlights coronavirus testing at work

According to guidance updated April 23, a mandatory test for the coronavirus may be administered, if it is "job related and consistent with business necessity."

By Jennifer Carsen • April 27, 2020

The best fleets make driver communication a 2-way street

In the coronavirus pandemic, truck drivers rely on managers for real-time updates on regulatory requirements, cleaning and safety protocols, and the health of the transport business. 

By Shefali Kapadia • April 23, 2020

Coronavirus pushes fleets to rethink the last mile

The pandemic has thrown a wrench into route optimization planning and could accelerate e-commerce in the long term.

By Jim Stinson • April 21, 2020

PPE shortages, driver health spell further trouble for trucking

FEMA, Congress, industry groups and fleets have flagged the health of drivers as a growing concern as the coronavirus persists.

By Jim Stinson • Updated April 21, 2020

How to approach layoffs responsibly

The way employers treat their employees over the next five weeks could impact their employment branding for the next five years.

By Aman Kidwai • April 20, 2020

BLS: March unemployment data reflects early impacts of coronavirus

The initial uptick in loads has begun to wane, and layoffs across industries may dampen consumer spending, shrinking trucking demand.

By Kristin Musulin , Deborah Barrington • April 20, 2020

Coronavirus slowdowns and shutdowns: What's next for trucking?

With COVID-19 cases reaching peak in parts of the U.S., fleet executives turn their attention to post-pandemic demand. 

By Jim Stinson • April 14, 2020

Coronavirus boosts transport wages faster than any other US sector in Q1

Stay-at-home orders changed consumer buying patterns, increasing delivery demand. One researcher expects to see growth in the industry through Q3. 

By S.L. Fuller • April 8, 2020

Shutdown-impacted businesses taking PPP loans may risk losing CARES Act tax benefits

Until rules are released, it's not clear paying expenses with stimulus loan funds will help a business come tax time.

By Robert Freedman • April 7, 2020

Owner-operators ask Congress to get busy on deregulatory legislation

OOIDA also says data on supply chain logjams should be made public.

By Jim Stinson • April 6, 2020

Coronavirus drives fleets toward tech for training, recruitment

COVID-19 gives no rest to fleets from the crucial task of recruiting and training drivers and has pushed carriers to move the processes online.

By Jim Stinson • April 6, 2020

'Thank a trucker' isn't sufficient in the coronavirus pandemic

Actions speak louder than words to support truck drivers keeping the nation's supply chains running in dangerous conditions.

By Shefali Kapadia • April 2, 2020