Challenger buys Ed Wiersma Trucking, raises driver pay
CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – Challenger Motor Freight has agreed to acquire the majority of Ed Wiersma Trucking’s assets.
The company says the deal is expected to close by the end of March. Challenger said the acquisition will complement its special commodities division.
“This allows Challenger to more quickly expand our already large flatbed service coverage,” said Lynda Crickmore, vice-president of Challenger’s special commodities division. “We have relationships with a significant number of premium shippers across North America and an acquisition like this gives us more opportunity to enhance our leadership position.”
Challenger also announced a “significant” pay increase to its new and existing drivers, effective March 30.
“Recognizing that drivers go the distance for the company every day, Challenger implemented these big pay packages to reinforce the first class driving experience we provide – and what we have done recognizes the driver’s hard work and dedication,” said Geoff Topping, vice-president of human resources for Challenger.
Have your say
This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.
It seems that we work 70 hours a week, and we are not unlike a person working at Tim Horton’s for minimum wage.
Try it. I did.
If you work for minimum wage at two dead-end jobs for 70 hours a week, you will take home more than if you are running the open board for any company in Ontario.
It’s a joke to even think that this is going to change anytime soon.
So let’s stop complaining as it has only proven to be pointless in the past.
The whole industry needs a boost in pay. Drivers are used and abused. Drivers should be paid the same or better then trades. Wages have been stagnant for the last 20 years while cost of living has gone up significantly. Drivers are getting fed up with long hours for little pay. If this atmosphere does not change it will just enhance the already critical driver shortage as current drivers exit the industry for other careers.