ST. JOHN’S, (May 31, 2004) — The Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada has teamed up with the Newfoundland & Labrador Independent Truckers Association — creating what both groups say is an alliance that will assist NLITA members on national issues.

The memorandum of understanding signed last week creates OBAC’s first provincial/regional caucus, says OBAC’s new executive director Joanne Ritchie. She adds that the alliance between OBAC and NLITA “demonstrates that owner-operators can indeed see eye to eye in developing solutions to problems, and can work together toward a common set of goals.

“The provincial associations will always be closer and more responsive to the local issues than a national association could be,” Ritchie said in a press release. “But OBAC believes national representation will give the local associations the scope to take members’ concerns beyond provincial boundaries, especially since many issues are common across the country.”

NLITA president Jon Summers said it’s a good time to move forward with the alliance, given the current concerns of the owner-operator community. “I said when we started NLITA that we’d be even more effective under the umbrella of some larger, national organization,” he said, “and now that OBAC is moving in the right direction, I’m thrilled to be combining our efforts for the benefit of all owner-operators.”