Zondervan Leadership Team Moves to Nashville (publishersweekly.com)

Dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts overwhelmingly approved a six-year contract Tuesday, averting the threat of a strike that could have crippled the economy. The yes vote was expected after the leadership of the International Longshoremen’s Association union reached a tentative contract agreement in January with the U.S. Maritime Alliance of ports and shipping companies. The alliance approved the contract last month, and on Tuesday rank-and-file members voted for it with nearly 99% in favor, the union said in a statement. The contract calls for a 62% pay hike over six years that would lift hourly wages at the top of the union pay scale from $39 an hour to $63 an hour. ILA President Harold Daggett, who served as the union’s chief negotiator, was quoted in the statement as saying the agreement is “the ‘gold standard’ for dockworker unions globally.”

Harry & David announced it will operate approximately 20 pop-up stores nationwide this holiday season, in addition to its 46 year-round retail locations. The opening of these pop-up stores, in key market areas across the U.S., will expand Harry & David's store footprint just in time for the biggest gift-giving time of the year. Customers will enjoy an extensive assortment of gourmet food gifts at all Harry & David retail locations, including pop-up stores, featuring many fan favorites such as the iconic Royal Riviera® Pears, truffles, specialty chocolates, Moose Munch® Premium Popcorn, novelty candy, bakery items and an array of signature holiday gift baskets and towers. Click Read More below for additional information.

Overall, I expect this to be another calendar year of dramatic change for the United States Postal Service as we continue to refine and execute our Delivering for America Plan. I remind everyone that the Delivering for America Plan is the only comprehensive plan in existence that attempts to transform the Postal Service and set us on a path for a viable future. To begin, I want to thank the dedicated men and women of the United States Postal Service for their efforts this past quarter, which included a presidential election, our usual peak season activities, as well as a number of hurricanes and storms. We continued to meet the challenge of the year’s peak surge in mail and package volume with expanded processing capabilities, optimized transportation strategies, and enhanced operational precision.