The proposed acquisition of Roadway by Yellow
Corporation will take some months to complete and will require approval of federal
regulators.Today, my first thoughts are with the employees who work at Roadway’s
corporate headquarters in Akron and their families, whose long-term future may be
uncertain. I recognize that in any re-organization, some workers may be asked to re-locate
outside of Akron, and some may be required to find new employment.
Roadway President and Chief Executive Officer James Staley has assured me that the
company will continue to have a very significant presence in its Akron general offices. I
can only hope that the merger will result in a stronger company that will continue to have
a strong presence in greater Akron.
Akron is the historic home of long-distance trucking since Carroll and Galen Roush
founded Roadway Express in Akron in 1930.
The City of Akron will work with Roadway officials and Roadway employees to minimize
the loss of employment in Akron and to maximize any opportunities that may be presented in
the re-organization of the new Company.
Mr. Staley has also told me that Roadway will continue its commitments to charitable
organizations in our community. Further, I have been re-assured that another legacy of the
Roush family will remain in Akron. The GAR Foundation has been a generous contributor to
the region’s arts, culture, and social service organizations, and hopefully, will
continue to be a community benefactor for many years to come.
