When B.C. truckers went on strike in March 2014, it cost the local economy millions of dollars. As a result of the prolonged strike, reforms were made and new a port trucking commissioner was appointed.
But now, truckers are saying the commissioner, Andy Smith, has refused to enforce the new provincially-imposed minimum rates companies must pay.
“Drivers went back to work on the promise that they would be paid higher rates from April 3rd of last year,” says Unifor BC Area director Gavin McGarrigle.
“The province eventually put that into law and now we’ve written to the commissioner to ask him to enforce the law and he doesn’t seem interested in it. So we’re left with no choice but to go to court to try to get the money that’s owed to the container truck drivers.”
Earlier today Unifor; which is the union representing container truck drivers, filed an application in court. Not only are they asking that truckers get what they are owed but also that Smith step aside as commissioner.
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Along with Smith being port trucking commissioner, he is also the president of the BC Maritime Employers Association; which represents employers at the port. Unifor sees Smith’s role with the employers association as a conflict of interest.
McGarrigle says, “if at the end of the day all of these costs are paid out to the truck drivers… that money has to come from somewhere. And it’s most likely going to be passed up the supply chain to the shipping interests that Mr. Smith represents in his other job at the same time.”
Some fear if the issue is not resolved soon there could be a repeat of the same job action as last year.
“Well we are at the bargaining table right now. We’re still in a legal strike position with most of the companies that we represent and it’s certainly not going to make it easier to get a deal,” McGarrigle says.
“With the respect to all of the other drivers, if they have no pay coming to them at the end of the day, conditions are going to get too tough and I don’t know where this is going to lead. This could lead to a lot more chaos at the ports.”
Minister of Transportation Todd Stone said in a written statement he is aware of the application that has been filed and “will not be commenting while its before the courts.”
Stone went on to say in his statement:
“Improving working conditions for container truckers serving Port Metro Vancouver continues to be a high priority for the Province. That is why we introduced the Container Trucking Act and Container Trucking Regulations which are clear in setting fair rates so licenced truckers can earn a living wage.
The Provincial Container Trucking Commissioner is an essential part of creating the conditions needed for long-term port trucking stability which will benefit truckers and the companies who employ them. The Commissioner has pledged to fulfil his duties independently and objectively and this includes enforcing payment of rates and fining those who are not in compliance.”
The office of the B.C. Container Trucking commissioner has 21 days to respond to the application.
~ with files from Grace Ke
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