Proposed rate structure for truckers is disappointing: union
Posted December 15, 2014 10:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – As a way to resolve industry undercutting, the province is proposing a new rate structure for Port Metro Vancouver truckers. But the proposed changes aren’t going well with the union.
Gavin McGarrigle with UNIFOR doesn’t think union and non-union truckers will earn a fair wage, instead everyone will be paid less.
“They’ve muddied the waters, and the end result is hourly drivers could lose as much as 50 dollars a day, 250 dollars a week based on these new rates and owner operators could lose quite a lot of money. They’ve got an early Christmas present for the trucking companies that want to undercut, because the rates of pay that they put out there actually move things backward instead of moving it forward.”
Under the new rates set by the province, hourly employees will get a little over $25/hr when they’re hired, while independent operators will be paid about $50/hr.
Another worry he has with the regulation changes, beginning 2019 truckers will need to replace their vehicle every ten years which he argues will be too costly to do.
“We’re very concerned about what they’ve proposed. This is a lot of smoke and mirrors. But the bottom line on round trip rates on hourly compensation and truck age, things are going to be going backwards for container truckers, that’s going to be a cause for major concern for union and non union truckers.”
New regulations include minimum rates for all truckers who serve the port on and off dock, a two per cent fuel surcharge, a whistleblower line and enhanced audits for all trucking companies. Extended hours, fees for truckers forced to wait at the port for their loads, and mediation help for truckers and employers are part of the new scheme, which the government says will take effect soon.
