VANCOUVER, B.C. The Vancouver Port Authority says container truckers could be back to work following its decision to issue interim licenses to companies signing statutory declarations that they will adhere to the compensation provisions laid out by mediator Vince Ready.

The interim license was announced by the Vancouver Port Authority at a meeting with representatives of both parties, Ready and the Fraser River Port Authority.

“This interim license could get the trucks back to work while allowing some time for a long-term solution to be found. This dispute has been very hard on many people throughout our community, hard on the economy, and has damaged the reputation of Canada’s busiest maritime gateway. We all need to pull together to find a lasting solution to these challenges so that we can rebuild confidence in the reliability of this port,” said Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Offer of the Vancouver Port Authority.

Effective Thursday, August 4, 2005, the port will be requiring trucks accessing its container terminals to have interim licenses in place.

Trucking companies have a grace period until Thursday to sign their statutory declarations and obtain their license from the port. Licenses will be granted to companies who agree to compensate drivers according to the rate schedule established under the July 29, 2005, Memorandum of Agreement, prepared by government-appointed mediator Vince Ready. Interim licenses will not be required from long-haul companies. Companies wishing to apply for an interim license must visit www.portvancouver.com.

"The objective of this measure is to restore trucking operations in the short-term while a long-term solution is found. The interim license arrangement will be in place for a period of 90 days, while the joint federal/provincial task force develops a long-term solution to the underlying issues relating to this dispute," the port authority said in a release.

The interim license provision is made possible by the Order in Council of July 29, 2005, pursuant to section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act, which allows this action to proceed, for a period of 90 days, without violating the provisions of the Competition Act.