The provincial government has launched a promised whistleblower service for Metro Vancouver container truckers.
The move comes as truckers say they are not being paid the rates they were promised in March, following a strike that lasted for 28 days, and may strike again.
“There are some trucking companies that just don’t want to live up to the spirit of the joint action plan,” said Gavin McGarrigle, area director for Unifor, the union that represents some of the truckers.
“There are increased rates that have to be paid, there’s specific dates when those rates needed to be paid and they just think they can get away with their Wild West tactics and play their undercutting games.”
McGarrigle added that large customers of the trucking companies have been “very aggressive” in pushing for lower trucking rates.
Unionized and non-unionized truckers struck throughout the month of March. Both groups said that low per-trip rates and long waiting times at Metro Vancouver shipping terminals were making it difficult for them to operate. The labour action came to an end after an agreement was reached on March 26.
A joint action plan put together by the provincial and federal governments laid out several conditions, including increased trip rates; a waiting time surcharge to be paid directly to trucking companies who are then to pay that fee to truckers; and extended terminal hours.
The whistleblower service is being operated by Port Metro Vancouver and the provincial Ministry of Transportation. Truckers can file complaints by phone (1-877-713-5109), mail, fax or online.
McGarrigle said the first waiting time cheques had been issued on June 13, totaling approximately $214,000.
“That just gives you an idea of the amount of money these truckers would have been out in the past,” he said.
While a strike is a possibility, McGarrigle said union members are still committed to working with the provincial and federal government to resolve outstanding issues.
“We’re going to give both levels of government the opportunity to get it resolved. Right now the promises set out in the joint action plan haven’t been 100% fulfilled.”
Some trucking companies have filed a lawsuit challenging whether the government has the power to regulate rates. Terminal operators have also filed a judicial review, challenging the port’s decision to levy fees for waiting times.
