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Nearly three dozen BC trucking companies are banding together to seek a court judgment about the legality of new wage rates imposed by Port Metro Vancouver.
A successful strike in March by Unifor’s BC container truck drivers led to a joint action plan negotiated by Unifor with Port Metro Vancouver, the BC government, and the federal government.
Part of the action plan guaranteed a 12 per cent rate increase for drivers, something the plaintiff trucking companies aren’t willing to support. The companies argue that rate regulation is outside of federal jurisdiction.
“Unifor’s efforts brought labour peace and economic stability to the nation’s largest port,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s BC area director. “This lawsuit is a reckless and ill-conceived move by a minority of trucking companies who don’t want to pay fair wages.”
The plan also secured higher reimbursement for drivers stuck waiting in line at the port, something that terminal operators are resisting.
“It just shows these groups seem to prefer chaos over stability,” said McGarrigle.
