CIFFA urges government to intervene in container hauler strike

by Truck News

TORONTO, Ont. — The Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) is calling on government to order striking Toronto-area container truckers back to work.

The Container Trucking Association of Ontario (CTAO) has been on strike since Sept. 8. CIFFA says the shutdown is having a major affect on its members’ abilities to move freight.

International freight forwarders are the foremost experts in cargo transportation solutions and an essential partner in advancing the Canadian economy and the economic prosperity of Canadians,” the organization wrote in a letter to four key provincial and federal ministers.

“On behalf of our members and their customers – Canadian importers and exporters, we urge you to take immediate action to ensure that Canada’s cargo moves in an unimpeded manner during the action by independent trucker members of the Container Trucking Association of Ontario (CTAO). Negotiations are stalling and we implore you to introduce an independent mediator into the labour conflict between CTAO members and container drayage carriers to end the dispute and to facilitate the resumption of business in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).”

CIFFA said its member are being “severely impacted” by the dispute.

“This action is not only impacting container terminals in the GTA regions but ocean carriers, rail carriers, trucking companies and so many more stakeholders including consumers all across the country,” CIFFA wrote. “The GTA is but one link in the entire supply chain and goods move into and through this area to reach other parts of the country. Any delays in shipping and receiving goods means loss of business, and a resulting negative impact on Canada’s image as a reliable trading partner, not to mention the rising costs for companies and firms ready, willing and available to provide their services.”

CIFFA also complained striking truckers have committed documented acts of vandalism to truck and equipment trying to service the industry.

“We fully support rights to protest,” CIFFA wrote. “We do not support acts that prevent individuals to freely work if they wish to do so. CIFFA and its membership urge the governments to take action to swiftly end this dispute. We urge you to act quickly before irreparable damage is done to Canadian businesses and economy.”

 


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  • Government stepping in would be welcome, I personally know drivers that want and NEED to work and they are being threatened; We do not support acts that prevent individuals to freely work if they wish to do so – 100% agree with this statement.
    This could seriously hurt Canadian economy. We need help to allow those that want to work to work.

  • Send those drivers wanting to work to me, my drivers have been working through this strike and are happy no traffic anywhere, no waiting time, I have gained 100’s freight forwarders contacts that will be giving the business to me that once gave to those parked on dixie/derry.

  • the container drayage industry has been beat up and destroyed by the many imigrant carriers themselves who came to Canada for a better life, instead they dropped their pricing way below market leaving absolutely no room to make profit besides trading 4 quarters for a dollar and in may cases.. for 90 cents. I suggest the trucking association have stricter laws against price fixing and low ball fly by night carriers with sub par equipment mirroring the taxi industry. Secondly, the strikers are rallying against the wrong people, they should in-fact be striking against their employers who came up with the rediculous low drayage rates putting many solid reputable carriers in a position to park their equipment rather than participate in the “sink hole” they put the industry in.
    I further suggest that purchasers (shippers, Exporters, freight forwarders etc..) to stop dealing with low ball carriers moving forward as clearly they have destroyed the opportunity for good strong organizations to do their jobs at fair prices. I agree with above post, now suddenly we are being contacted to clean up the garbage.. OTA should also put more vehicle inspection officers on the roads to inspect the trucks that have bunge cords holding the trucks together.. not doing circle checks on trucks because time is money… I’m telling all right now.. there will be serious injuries to drivers and general public if we allow these low profit companies to continue.

    • John Doe-exactly the same on the West Coast-they have “cut rates” to eventually take control of the trucking and “now”up the “rates” to their advantage. The same tactics were applied on the FIJI Islands about 90 years ago when mass Indian immigration to FiJI was promoted by the British,and now they control FIJI Islands!

  • Some crazy guyz ruining all economy of canada we are all already under recession… And on top of these truckers are doong like this… Its complete non sense let people who want to work and put the bread for there kids instead of thereating them not to work just because they are not getting enough for their trip… Its simple logic if u r not making enough money change your profession… If u r enough smart and capable of doing … Because truckers play the 1 of main role in import and export catagory where canadains make some money to live a life with their family happily… But because of some crazy mind peoples everyone had to suffer this is not right… Not just right at all…