To own or not to own assets: that is the question facing third-party logistics and transport operators in a world where the supply and cost of shipping capacity, on land at least, is increasingly uncertain. XPO Logistics believes it has an answer: Do both.

XPO Logistics doesn’t take little steps. The $3 billion acquisition of Con-way, the second largest less-than-truckload operator as well as a major U.S. non-asset logistics player and truckload hauler, is not only transformational for XPO, but possibly for the LTL industry as a whole.

Con-way Freight workers in Portland, Oregon voted not to join the International Brotherhood of Teamsters last week, marking the seventh outright defeat for the union in its attempt to organize workers at the second-largest stand-alone U.S. less-than-truckload carrier.

A steep drop in fuel surcharges coupled with an increase in driver wages helped drag profit and revenue down at Con-way Freight and Con-way Truckload. Menlo Logistics lost revenue, but managed to increase profit.

The sudden departure of one president and the appointment of another left analysts asking whether Con-way Freight can improve its profitability faster.

Truck drivers at the Stockton, California terminal of FedEx Freight, the largest U.S. trucking company, voted to join the Teamsters union, making Stockton the fourth terminal to go union since the start of an organizing campaign last fall. However, six terminals have rejected the union, and the Teamsters have withdrawn six election petitions.

Con-way Freight drivers and dockworkers in Bakersfield, California, this week voted to not join the Teamsters, marking the fifth time company employees have rejected the union.

Pricing power and advances in technology are spurring innovation in LTL pricing, encouraging carriers to test out dimensional-weight pricing and other alternatives to class-based tariff rates as they seek more dynamic, flexible pricing models.

Road and city drivers at a FedEx Freight terminal in Newark, N.J., voted against joining the Teamsters union — the second victory for FedEx Freight in four elections.

The Teamsters union won a representation election at a New Jersey FedEx Freight terminal Oct. 31, but called off another vote at a less-than-truckload terminal in Pennsylvania.

Employees at two Con-way Freight terminals in Southern California rejected the Teamsters while those at another voted for the union. The company could face more elections.

Coverage on congestion at the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex continued to interest JOC.com readers this past week, as what could be the worst gridlock to hit the largest port complex in the Americas continues.

New NEMF President Tom Connery sees expansion ahead for regional LTL trucking company NEMF, not just in terms of service territory but new services, from port drayage to flatbed hauling.

The strengthening U.S. economy, a second-quarter surge in freight and higher rates boosted revenue and profit at Con-way’s less-than-truckload, logistics and truckload divisions.

Trucking companies looking for new ways to attract hard-to-hire drivers are rethinking how they “spec” or order trucks.