TORONTO, Ont. — Three carriers forced by court order to continue providing services to Ivaco are planning to fight back.

Earlier this week, a group of carriers withdrew trucking services from the steel producer, which is presently under creditor protection, because it owes the carriers for transportation services provided prior to the date upon which the court granted protection.

Late in the day on Wednesday the company went to court seeking an order to force three carriers to resume service. Justice James Farley of the Ontario Superior Court ruled in favour of Ivaco. (Justice Farley is also presiding over the Stelco and Air Canada reorganizations.)

The three companies targeted by the court order were not under any formal agreement or even commitment to provide services to the Ivaco group, say Ontario Trucking Association officials.

The carriers are receiving widespread support from the trucking industry, OTA officials say, and are now looking at resolving this issue through all legal channels available to them and have instructed counsel to determine the most appropriate course of action.

Says OTA president, David Bradley: "Most carriers realize it could be them next time and they appreciate the risk the carriers have taken under very trying circumstances."

In the meantime, the three carriers are complying with the order and have resumed service in good faith.