Commerce Express Weekly Road Map:
August 13th, 2024
Keeping you informed on the latest news/insights in our industry.
Brake System Week is Approaching: Things to Know
On August 25th through the 31st, Brake Safety Week will commence. For those unfamiliar with this initiative, it’s an annual regulatory compliance enforcement to help promote and ensure brake-safety awareness, outreach, and violation data collection project, put on by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA).
This year’s Brake Safety Week will focus on the condition of brake linings and pads. Inspections on vehicles will be conducted during this week throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. If violations occur, vehicles can be taken out of service.
Truckers should focus on pre and post-trip inspections as well as preventative maintenance to ensure you are prepared and your truck is prepared.
Commerce Blog
So far, the summer of 2024 has been headlined by two hurricanes—Beryl and Debby, both of Category 1 strength. The former, Beryl, slammed into Texas’ Gulf Coast in early June, flooding and cutting power to major population centers near the shoreline, including Houston. While the latter, Debby, breached Florida’s northern Gulf Coast earlier this week and proceeded to crawl across the U.S. Southeast, delivering historic rainfall and formidable winds.
As supply chain professionals catch their breath, let’s recap how hurricanes impact logistics and what government forecasters are expecting for the remainder of this year’s season…
Canada Labor Uncertainty: Since the CIRB issued their decision – ruling that a work stoppage would NOT cause a threat to public health/safety – a lot has transpired. Here’s what we know so far:
- CIRB imposed a 13-day cooling off period before either party could issue a strike or worker lockout, putting the earliest date for work stoppage at August 22nd.
- In a statement, TCRC said if a contract is not reached, they will go on strike the earliest chance they are able to (August 22nd).
- CPKC released a statement last Friday saying they would have no other option but to lock out employees on August 22nd if a contract is not reached, or TCRC does not agree to binding arbitration.
- CN as well released a statement essentially agreeing with CPKC and that they would also have no choice but to lock out their employees on August 22nd.
Do you have freight that moves through Vancouver, Montreal or Toronto and have questions? Reach out to our team and we’ll connect with you on your options.
Intermodal: Following along in CN, CSX, and UP railways footsteps, NS will mandate a reservation systems, making trucking companies having to reserve slots when dropping off both international and domestic containers, JOC reports. This is set to begin in phases starting September 4th. NS hope this will help improve terminal efficiency, but certainly may have its challenges.
Diesel Update: This week the average price of diesel dipped 5.1 cents. Making the average price of diesel at $3.704, per the U.S. EIA.
U.S. Labor Uncertainty: The East/Gulf Coast Dockworker contract expires on September 30th and recently the International Longshoremen’s Association announced they will present their final contract demands to union delegates at a meeting September 4-5th and will also outline strike strategies if an agreement is not reached before the contract expires. A couple key issues in these negotiations are wage increases and automation issues.
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