Even though one of the trucker's unions that is on strike at the Port of Vancouver in British Columbia is saying that haven't heard or seen the proposal yet, the federal and B.C. governments and Port Metro Vancouver announced a 14-point plan on Friday to resolve an ongoing strike by container-truck drivers they say has severely impacted the national economy.
Federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt, B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone and port president and CEO Robin Silvester said the plan released Thursday night will ensure drivers will be paid fair compensation, reduce wait times at container terminals and create an industry oversight committee.
But it was unclear how the truckers would respond to the plan, with one union, Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers' Association, stating in an email that it was reviewing its contents.
"Nobody's called us, nobody has informed us of anything. We're hearing it all third hand," added Manny Dosange, spokesman for the United Truckers Association, which represents 1,000 non-unionized owner-operators.
He said his association is willing to look at the plan to see if the parties can resolve the dispute.
On Sunday, Dosange said a lawsuit launched by Port Metro Vancouver against the association was standing in the way of a deal. The port is taking action over alleged damage caused by what it calls disruptive protesting and property destruction.
The port is now expected to consult with the industry and plans to implement the reforms by June 15.
Among the 14 points is a promise by the port to "commit to terminating legal actions" not related to criminal activity and rescind licence suspension that are not related to criminal activity.
The federal government said it will adjust by 10 per cent and within one month the regulated trip rates for drivers and will expedite a review of wages and fuel-surcharge rates and implement the results by mid-2015.
"I have asked Port Metro Vancouver to implement the agreed upon action plan," said Raitt in a news release. "It is time to get the port working once again and we expect the trucking industry to do their part and immediately return to work."
Stone said the port is critical to the economy of B.C. and Canada, and he had warned that unless there is a quick resolution, the dispute will drive important business to the United States.
To read more, click HERE.
