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The trucking industry is heading into a strong but somewhat uncertain peak shipping season with consumer spending expected to remain high even amid a softer economy, according to a survey.

UPS Inc. will acquire MNX Global Logistics for an undisclosed sum, the parcel delivery company said Sept. 28. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year.

UPS Inc. is set to hire more than 30,000 additional drivers for peak season, a mix of package car drivers, commercial driver license drivers and seasonal support drivers.

UPS Inc. is offering a voluntary severance package for 167 pilots amid a slump in air freight volume.

UPS and the Teamsters have reached a tentative five-year collective bargaining agreement that covers more than 340,000 workers, the company and the union announced in separate statements.

UPS on July 11 pushed to Aug. 8 the release date for its second-quarter financial report, a week after its labor contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters is set to expire.

The Teamsters union gave UPS Inc. a June 30 ultimatum in labor talks after walking away from discussions June 28, warning a nationwide strike “appears inevitable.”

Like many UPS customers, Jessica Ray relies on deliveries of dog food and just about everything else for her home. Contentious labor negotiations at UPS could disrupt that comfort zone.

Transportation leaders from government and industry are closely watching labor negotiations, including pending contracts with workers from both UPS Inc. and Yellow Corp.

If you opt to return your Amazon purchase at a UPS store, that transaction just might cost you.