Yellow (CCJ Top 250, No. 6) has requested that the Teamsters Union hear this month a revised proposal to consolidate its YRC Freight, New Penn and Holland linehaul network and terminal operations as part of the Overland Park, Kansas-based carrier's efforts to create a "Super Regional Carrier."
Yellow is the second phase of its One Yellow strategy to improve efficiency, speed, choice and value for its customers. Phases 2 and 3 of One Yellow, which include aligning operations in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and Central regions, are set to take place this year. Phase 1, integrating the linehaul networks of YRC Freight and Reddaway in the Western region to support both regional and long-haul services, was completed last year.
Yellow Senior Vice President of Trucker Relations Bryan Reifsnyder in early February requested via letter to Teamsters General President Sean O'Brien and National Freight Director John Murphy that the union hear of its plans "on or about the week of March 10, 2023, to allow for implementation no later than April 30, 2023."
The Teamsters Union did not respond to a CCJ query this week on when the hearing might take place. Yellow, however vague with specifics, did say that "the process continues. In the meantime, we’re focused on the work at hand: moving freight for our customers," a Yellow representative told CCJ.
Regardless of when a formal meeting takes place, Yellow is likely in for an uphill climb.
The proposal sent last month, which follows the withdrawal of a previous draft Yellow issued in December, Murphy said fails to address serious concern raised by the union, adding the Teamsters National Freight Industry Negotiating Committee (TNFINC) does not endorse or approve any operational changes at Yellow.
"The Teamsters oppose any change of operations written in vague language or drafted to erode contractual standards and practices. Yellow will not be allowed to disrupt and upend our members' lives," Murphy said.
