Freight and Distribution

Holland, part of YRC,  continues to optimize its operations to help customers shave time from their supply chains, respond faster to market demands, and mitigate the risks associated with lean operations, just-in-time processes and outsourcing activities.

To help customers become more nimble, this week Holland announced the availability of:

• Next-day service from Worthington, MN to the St. Louis, MO area, and
• Two-day service from Worthington to service centers in Atlanta and Decatur, GA; Chattanooga, TN; and Birmingham, AL

The new accelerated transit times represent a reduction of one day on more than 496,000 ZIP code origin/destination points out of Worthington.

This is the second time this calendar quarter that the company has announced improved transit times.

In October, Holland introduced next-day service between Chicagoland and Springfield, MO, representing faster deliveries for more than 124,000 ZIP code lane pairs.

Customers can check service availability, transit times and schedule pickups online by visiting hollandregional.com. Holland interlines with Yellow Trucking.

YRC, which operates carriers employing more than 1,000 area Teamsters, said last week that it was negotiating with its lenders and the union’s pension funds about putting real estate up as collateral in place of pension payments. Those monthly pension payments ranged from $34 million to $45 million, depending on the number of people working.

That drew criticism from YRC hourly workers, who three months ago accepted a 10 percent wage cut to help the company preserve cash in the midst of the weak economy and declining loads. Rank-and-file union members were planning to protest with an informational picket at YRC’s Overland Park headquarters last Friday until it was learned that such an action would violate the national contract.

Last week Hoffa said he was monitoring the situation, although any changes YRC had proposed regarding pension payments would be negotiated with the various trustees of the funds. Hoffa did confirm that YRC made a payment to the health-and-welfare portion of the pension funds at last week’s deadline, preventing the suspension of those benefits that would have occurred this week.

On Monday in a regulatory filing, YRC, formally Yellow Trucking, said it had come to an agreement with its lenders that would allow the company to defer pension payments until at least Jan. 1.

The Kansas City area has thousands of current workers and retirees who belong to the Central States Pension Fund. After UPS Inc. withdrew from the fund last year, YRC became the biggest contributor.

Hoffa said YRC was the only national contract in which the Teamsters union had agreed to concessions during this recession. The union had worked with the carrier hoping to keep the company operating, he said.

The MHED Association proud to announce a collaborative venture with YRC that will save you money on all your transportation needs.

Yellow Trucking and Roadway have integrated to give you YRC - the genuine heavyweight expert with the most comprehensive network available. YRC offers flexible, efficient solutions, including comprehensive regional and national coverage with a full suite of guaranteed, expedited and specialized services.

• As a benefit of your MHEDA membership, you receive a discount on qualifying less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. More customers rely on YRC than any other provider.