Post by EzelM on May 2, 2009 6:53:11 GMT -5
Vancouver port strike averted as truckers sign deal
By Fiona Anderson, Vancouver Sun
May 1, 2009
The strike vote came after talks between the operators -- members of CAW Local 2006 -- and the companies bogged down on the rate to be paid for moving containers to and from off-dock storage sites.
VANCOUVER -- A strike at Metro Vancouver ports by container truck owner-operators has been averted with the parties announcing they have reached an agreement.
Earlier this week about 120 owner operators covered by two collective agreements with three trucking companies voted to go on strike, if necessary.
The strike vote came after talks between the operators -- members of CAW Local 2006 -- and the companies bogged down on the rate to be paid for moving containers to and from off-dock storage sites.
That issue has now been resolved, said Bob Simpson, president of the three companies involved — Team Transport Services, Port Transport and Pacific Transportation Group.
Six collective agreements have now been concluded between the union and the companies out of the 17 collective agreements with 26 companies that expired Dec. 31.
The remaining agreements are expected to be identical to the first six, which expire in June 2010.
If agreements had not been reached, any resulting strike was expected to have little impact on port business, given the number of trucks involved, rules regarding picketing, and the new licensing structure at the ports which governs activities by companies in a labour dispute.