Share
VANCOUVER, Oct. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - The largest union in the city's container trucking industry welcomes the appointment of Corinne Bell as the Acting Commissioner for the sector. Bell takes on the role after the sudden departure of Andy Smith on September 16.
"It's good news that we have a commissioner who knows the industry so we can move on with the urgent business of getting truckers their outstanding wages," said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor's BC Area Director, referring to the ongoing problem of rogue employers who are refusing to pay truck drivers the new standard rate. "We look forward to sitting down with Ms. Bell as soon as possible."
Mediator Vince Ready joins Bell as the Acting Deputy Commissioner. Bell and Ready co-authored a report on Port Metro Vancouver's trucking sector following a one-month job action by truck drivers in March 2014. Though the drivers ended the job action well over one year ago, enforcement of new regulations introduced to bring stability to the sector has been irregular.
To complicate matters, Port Metro Vancouver has recently introduced limits on trucks that could cost many drivers thousands of dollars.
"In the absence of a commissioner to keep the industry running smoothly, Port Metro Vancouver has made baffling and unfair rules that will only increase labour tension at the Port," said McGarrigle.
Unifor filed in federal court on Wednesday to appeal the new truck limits and has vowed to fight rules that are not introduced without proper consultation with truck drivers.
Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions merged.
SOURCE Unifor
