The Teamsters said they would refuse to negotiate until UPS signed regional supplement contracts with the union. But, to date, two regional supplemental agreements remain unresolved.

Adjusted for inflation, the average pay for a truck driver in the U.S. in 1980 was about $110,000 annually, compared with about $48,000 in 2023.

Founded in Shunde of Guangdong province in 1993, SF Express covers almost all of China, while its international express business covers 98 countries.

The digital-focused operator is buying Shopify’s logistics business, including the Deliverr technology platform and dozens of warehouses and sorting centers.

Trucking companies and congressional critics argued the rules, estimated to cost about $2,500 to $8,300 per vehicle, were too expensive, and came amid driver shortages and supply-chain woes.

The courier faces the possibility of a union strike of its 330,000 workers as the company negotiates to replace a five-year labor contract that expires on July 31.

The Authorization would allow workers to withdraw their services from the company when permitted by the National Mediation Board.

The Teamsters said that UPS has dragged its feet “for four months” after beginning supplemental contract negotiations in January, 2023.

Permission to operate more freely could eventually vault drone delivery from the experimental phase to an economically viable business.

Around 12 times more battery-electric truck models will be available this decade than fuel cell trucks.