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The largest union representing container truck drivers in Metro Vancouver secured an agreement with a federally appointed mediator on key issues of concern, a step towards ending the job action of hundreds of truckers. Mediator Vince Ready will conduct an independent review of the sector to be completed by May 30, 2014.
“This is one small step towards justice for container truck drivers,” said Paul Johal, President of Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association (VCTA). “Truckers will not be mollified with lip service to this review. We are watching developments closely.”
The parties will continue to meet with Ready this week. Members of Unifor-VCTA will vote on the tentative agreement on Saturday, March 8.
Unifor-VCTA’s collective agreement expired in June 2012. During that time, the union has been raising concerns that long line-ups and wait times at the Port of Vancouver are costing truck drivers money. Unifor-VCTA is looking for economic improvements that are standardized and enforced across the sector to put an end to under-cutting.
“It’s unfortunate that the government waited until the eleventh hour to get the ball rolling, but the progress made today was important,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor’s National President. “The work done by container truck drivers is vital to the port’s operation, and that benefits the local community and the province’s economy.”
