Owner/operator protest slows freight traffic at Vaughan CP terminal

VAUGHAN, Ont. -- A contract dispute between a group of owner/operators and CP Rail has lead to a protest at CP’s intermodal terminal in Vaughan.

About 80 O/Os who move CP’s railcars by truck for General Cartage, Canada Drayage and Sim-Tran parked their vehicles, and blocked the main entrance on Rutherford Rd. near Highway 427 early Monday, according to a report from the Toronto Star.

The protest centres on the drivers’ new three-year contract, introduced July 9, that changes how they are paid, effectively cutting their wages by about 30%, according to the Star.

A driver at the protest said the cut comes after a previous 30% cut introduced in 2009.

The protestors have vowed to keep up their picket line around the clock, according to the report.

On a normal day, the terminal handles up to 1,900 trucks, according to a CP official.

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Trucker Pullover Protest Against Rising Diesel Prices Monday May 23 1-2 PM

New York NY – May 20, 2011 – On May 23rd, 2011 from 1:00-2:00pm Eastern truckers are being asked to pull their trucks to the side of the road for one hour to gain the attention of Washington and focus it on soaring fuel prices. Over regulation, the lack of new exploration, and the lack of refining capacity near Cushing, OK are believed to be responsible for the higher diesel prices.
Contact:

Bruce MacIsaac or David Webb
Teapartytrucker.org – Pullover Protest
Phone: Bruce MacIsaac 724-910-9225, David Webb 212-372-8008
Email: info@teapartytrucker.org

New York NY – May 20, 2011 – On May 23rd, 2011 from 1:00-2:00pm Eastern truckers are being asked to pull their trucks to the side of the road for one hour to gain the attention of Washington and focus it on soaring fuel prices. Over regulation, the lack of new exploration, and the lack of refining capacity near Cushing, OK are believed to be responsible for the higher diesel prices.

A caller to SiriusXM Patriot’s David Webb Show, on April 23, 2011 suggested a one hour demonstration protesting higher diesel prices. From that call, plans for a pullover have begun. As higher diesel prices fluctuate and have soared above $4.19 per gallon, truck drivers and companies are finding it increasingly difficult to deliver freight without increasing rates. Increased rates for freight, increases the price of everything else from milk to toilet paper.

Organizers hope that a highly visible pullover of one hour will be enough to put pressure on Washington to ease regulations. When trucks don’t move, nothing moves. Food, fuel, household items and raw materials for manufacturing are all carried over the nation’s highways by truck. It is hoped that a single hour will focus enough attention on the issue that longer pullover protests will be unnecessary.

SiriusXM Radio Personality and Tea Party leader David Webb has set up a website for truckers interested in communicating with other truckers about politics, the tea party, and trucking issues. It was on this site that the idea of a “Pullover Protest” was first mentioned. More information about the protest, as well as information about Tea Party Truckers in general can be found at the site: www.teapartytrucker.org.

© 2011, Truck Drivers News Blog. All rights reserved.

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