Monday, October 27, 2014

B.C. to issue new rules for container trucking at Port Metro Vancouver

Canada’s Transportation Minister Todd Stone postponed legislation Thursday to create an independent port container-trucking commissioner, who would crack down on undercutting per-container driver pay rates and resolve the type of disputes that led to a trucker work stoppage in the spring at Port Metro Vancouver.

"Job No. 1 for the new commissioner of the container trucking office will be to ensure full and complete compliance with rates negotiated in good faith with truckers back in March," Stone said.

Drivers were supposed to receive an immediate 12-percent hike in per-container rates as part of a settlement of the 28-day strike by more than 2,000 drivers. But Stone said not all companies are paying the new rates, an issue that was threatening to set off another work stoppage.

The move follows Port Metro Vancouver’s announcement that it intends to scrap its old licensing system for trucks allowed to pick up and deliver shipping containers at the port’s four terminals and replace it with a new system aimed at reducing the overall fleet by 25 to 40 percent.

A glut of trucks chasing available business was one of the problems that triggered lengthy waiting times at terminals, which along with the undercutting of per-container rates to independent truckers, touched off the strike in March.

One of the groups that represent port truck drivers was hopeful about the provincial legislation, but a spokesman said it is just a start in terms of reaching a permanent resolution.

"Today I’m not going to make a comment that I think the (new) licensing system will fix everything," said Scott Doherty, assistant to the president of Unifor, who was speaking on behalf of the Unifor Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association.

For more of the Vancouver Sun story: www.vancouversun.com



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