Dear Customer

Until further notice, all FedEx international and domestic shipments will require additional inspection before entering the FedEx network. 

As part of these efforts, we are introducing the following operational changes: 

All shipments tendered to FedEx: 

All shipments from Europe to the USA, Canada, and Australia or transiting the USA and Latin America - delivered to FedEx locations or picked up by FedEx employees will undergo additional screening by dedicated FedEx staff before entering the network. As a result of this screening, your shipments may experience delays of +1 to 2 days compared to quoted transit times. 

Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of everyone involved in our operations. 

Thank you for your understanding in helping us maintain a safe and secure network.

Please be advised of the below regarding strikes in Spain and Italy

SPAIN:

The 2 biggest Spanish trade unions, CCOO and UGT, have announced a seven-day strike action until Christmas for all professional drivers in the country. The goal is to pressure the government to include drivers among the beneficiaries of early retirement.

Unions are calling all workers in the road transport sector to strike, including transport workers who move goods, long-distance bus drivers, and urban and sanitary public transport workers.

The unions estimate that half a million people have been called to strike. This concerns only employees and not self-employed drivers.

The published dates of the strikes for 2024 are:

• Monday - 28th of October 2024
• Monday - 11th of November 2024
• Thursday - 28th of November 2024
• Friday - 29th of November 2024
• Thursday - 05th of December 2024
• Monday - 09th of December 2024
• Monday - 23th of December 2024

The seven days of strike action coincide with key commercial dates such as Black Friday, as well as the 5th, 9th, and 23rd of December, just before Christmas.

Additionally, the unions threaten to make the strikes indefinite from then on, coinciding with the Christmas period, if no agreement is reached with the government and employers.

Right now, it is very difficult to know how this strike will affect transport in Spain, but we must be prepared for a strong negative impact on distribution, national and domestic transport, and deliveries during the strike days and the following days.

Please inform your staff and customers accordingly.

We will let you know the outcome of the first day of the strike and its follow-up.

ITALY (System plus only):

A General Strike has been called by the SI COBAS Union in Italy for Friday the 18th of October.

Please consider that daily business related to collections and deliveries could be impacted.

Do not hesitate to come back to us for any additional information.

The union representing dockworkers across U.S. ports has temporarily suspended their strike as negotiations continue. The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) initiated the strike on Tuesday at 14 major ports along the East and Gulf coasts, halting operations from Maine to Texas.

A tentative agreement on wages has been reached, and workers will return to work on Friday. Negotiations on other unresolved issues will resume on January 15. This was the first major port strike in almost 50 years, raising concerns about its impact on holiday shopping and the upcoming presidential election.

"Effective immediately, all current job actions will cease and all work covered by the Master Contract will resume," said the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) in a joint statement. Under the tentative deal, wages are expected to rise by 62% over six years, although talks about issues like automation will continue.

Patrick L. Anderson, CEO of Anderson Economic Group, said: “The short ILA strike... will surely be ranked as one of the most lucrative 3 days in labor-management history. The ILA workers have apparently gained 60% wage increases after giving up 3 days of work in a strike that inflicted no serious damage on the US economy.”

President Joe Biden applauded the agreement, saying it "represents critical progress toward a strong contract." He added, "I congratulate the dockworkers from the ILA, who deserve a strong contract after sacrificing so much to keep our ports open during the pandemic. And I applaud the port operators and carriers who are members of the US Maritime Alliance for working hard and putting a strong offer on the table."

Business leaders also welcomed the news. Matthew Shay, president of the National Retail Federation, said, “The decision to end the current strike and allow the East and Gulf coast ports to reopen is good news for the nation’s economy.”

Under the previous contract, which expired Monday, dockworkers earned between $20 and $39 per hour, with additional benefits. The ILA, which represents around 47,000 members, is also seeking protections against automation in the ongoing negotiations.

Please be advised that as of 12:01 A.M. the long‐feared strike by the ILA has become a reality. This means that all U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports are shut down until further notice.

As a result, no cargo will be able to move in or out of any of the affected ports. Additionally, sources have indicated that we should expect the strike to last at least one‐to‐two weeks and that severe backlogs and congestion will continue well into next year.

Clients with cargo already in transit to U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports can expect to, in the short term, have their cargo trapped at sea. If the strike lasts longer than expected it is possible that carriers may declare “Force Majeure” and unload all cargo bound for U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports at a neighboring international port.

Additionally, all containers in each of the U.S. East or Gulf Coast ports are now trapped and it is possible that those containers will be subject to detention and demurrage charges. Also, carriers have said that they will not cover or reimburse any chassis or other third‐party charges connected to the work stoppage.

Finally, regarding empty container returns, while each carrier has its own policy, you should assume that you may be assessed a fee.

In the meantime, please reach out to your customer services representative if you have any questions or concerns.

Please be aware that due to flooding, there are severe delays on the M5. Many depot trunk vehicles are stuck in standstill traffic and unable to return goods to depots.

As a result, several areas may not be able to meet their services for today. Depending on the severity, this situation may also impact goods going out on Saturday and Monday.

Areas of potential issue include:

• BA8, 20-22
• DT1-6, DT8-11
• SP2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9
• TA10-20
• TA10-20
• BS
• BA1, 2
• EX21-23
• PL1-26-35
• TQ5-11
• DT7
• EX1-17, 20, 24
• TA21, 22
• TQ1-4. 12-14
• EX18, 19, 31-39
• TA24
• TR & PL27 -28
• BA3-7, 9 -19
• TF1-13
• WV15, 16