WSIB targets Driver Inc. companies

by Truck News

WSIBTORONTO, Ont.  — The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has intensified audits, looking more closely at carriers using the Driver Inc. model to avoid paying premiums, the Ontario Trucking Association said Monday.

“The WSIB has already conducted audits of two trucking companies, each of which has had corrective debit adjustments of over $200,000,” the association said.

It said it expects more corrective measures as the targeted enforcement continues.

OTA chair David Carruth said it is important that drivers and shippers understand what is at stake.

“Both OTA and the WSIB know that through the prevalence of Driver Inc., not everyone is playing by the rules and paying their fair share, leaving some drivers vulnerable,” he said.

“We are encouraged WSIB has recognized this is a major problem, and is focusing on making sure that businesses are paying what they should be for covering their drivers.”

Driver Inc. is a controversial business model that classifies fleet employees as independent contractors. The drivers are incorporated and receive their pay without any source deductions.

That helps them offer rates no carriers can afford. Industry lobbying groups and major fleets have been fighting the model for years.

 

 


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  • This is not surprising as trucking companies for decades have tried every way possible to make profit on the backs of drivers. One needs only to look at how private fleets have disappeared and replaced with shark-like feeding frenzy transport companies.

    The industry has become a shameful disgrace all in the name of pure profit! On another point, there is a legal difference between “independent contractors” and “dependent contractors”. Most do not know that according to the law, dependent contractors are in fact employees.

  • If you get injured on the job (: WSIB’s model is to avoid paying lost wage benefits & do injured workers really need a gauntlet of overpaid gravitation-ally challenged , narcissistic self centered torque mada’s .
    Why to much corruption@wsib’s sinecure..

  • Contrary to your article, there is nothing controversial about the driver inc model. It is illegal. Full stop.
    The deciding factors are “reasonable expectation of profit” (after paying its employee), and “direction of work”.
    The more the agencies can do to stop it, the better.

  • Shameful way to treat people. Knowingly setting them up to drive professionally without Worker Compensation coverage, benefits, vacation pay & the other items full fledged employees are provided.