The struggle to avoid bankruptcy continues for YRC Worldwide (YRCW). The consolidated freight company announced today that it had once again extended the deadline for approval of a debt-for-equity swap.

Without approval, which would give debt-holders up to 95% of the equity in the company, the unionized trucking company will likely be headed toward bankruptcy.

The company has extended the deadline for the swap multiple times but is still short of the already-reduced approval rate necessary to free operating capital from banks.

Most interesting in the latest development is Teamster complaints against banks and hedge funds that it says are deliberately blocking the swap in order to profit from a credit default swap trade. Such a trade would be profitable if the company fails.

The unions are clearly appealing to public opinion, saying it's un-American to profit from the demise of such a fine working-class company.

The banks and hedge funds would argue that the demise of the company falls squarely on the shoulders of the unions. With a cost structure that is higher because of union obligations, YRCW can't compete.

In reality, YRCW's problems are the same as those that befell many companies and individuals during this economic crisis. Its debt level was simply too great.

During the recession, sales plummeted and the company had little margin for error. Not even cuts agreed to by the union could save the company from its current fate.

Simply put, debt-holders must be paid. If not, something has to give.

To criticize speculators for making investments based on an expected outcome is about as foolish as blaming the unions for this mess.

Much of the blame should fall on the shoulders of those managing the company. The decision to expand using debt was ultimately a failed strategy.

There is a more subtle problem at work here. Many at Yellow are complaining that competitors are lowering prices in an effort to destroy the financially strapped company.

That conspiracy theory fails to hold water. For starters, basic economics suggest that companies will act in their best economic interest when making pricing decisions. It is unlikely for any company to leave money on the table, even if can hurt a competitor by lowering prices.

Instead, one reason prices in the industry are suffering is because of competition from the rail industry. Trains have become the real competitive threat to the trucking industry.

There is a very good reason why Warren Buffett agreed to acquire Burlington Northern in early November. It is cheaper and more energy efficient to ship goods by train than by truck. (In fact, long-term trends are pointing to a surge in the railroad sector. Read "5 Reasons You Should Be Buying Railroad Stocks Now" for more on my view of this sector.

As gas prices increase, such a dynamic will further hurt the trucking industry. It is not the unions that killed trucks. It is the trains doing the most damage.