More than two dozen trucking companies are heading to BC Supreme Court today in an attempt to resolve an ongoing issue over a new licensing system implemented by the Port of Metro Vancouver.
The United Truckers Association says hundreds of truckers lost their jobs on Feb. 1 due to licensing changes at the port.
According to the port, the new system was put in place with the hopes of reducing “intense competition” between too many trucking companies who were undercutting each other. The introduction of a Truck Licensing System was a result of a plan announced by the federal and provincial governments in March 2014.
The port says the goal of the new licensing system is to “balance the number of registered trucks with the amount of available work and bring stability to port operations.”
Port Metro Vancouver truckers and their families have held several rallies to protest the loss of jobs and three work stoppages.
The 25 trucking companies are hoping a federal judge will agree the new system is not a fair process.
“We’re looking for a judicial review and fairness out of this,” one trucker said outside BC Supreme Court this morning
“The way the Port of Metro Vancouver has taken a decision was not fair at all. so we’re looking for fairness out of this whole thing.”
Truck drivers say the port denied licenses to more than 150 trucking companies, which has left approximately 600 drivers out of work, without an explanation.
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