CP Truckers’ Protest Slows Freight Traffic

Vaughan, ON – Truckers protesting wage cuts slowed freight traffic in and out of CP Rail’s main intermodal terminal in Vaughan on July 30, according to the Toronto Star.

About 80 owner-operators parked their trucks, blocking the main entrance on Rutherford Rd. near Highway 427. The drivers are protesting a new three-year contract introduced in early July that changes how they are paid, effectively cutting their wages by approximately 30 percent.

“You live in Toronto. With that kind of cut, you have no choice,” said Harjeet Singh. “It makes no sense to own a truck.”
Singh said that in 2009, they saw their wages slashed by 30 percent, but had to accept the change because of the tough economic times. Singh explained that after expenses –fuel, maintenance, taxes, and insurance- are factored in, they earn less than company drivers who get paid hourly.

“It’s better to stand here and make no money,” Singh said, adding it’s not the first time these truckers have taken such action. A similar move in 2005 led to a better contract, he said.

Trucks still managed to get deliveries out of the Vaughan terminal, but at a much slower rate than usual. While on a normal day up to 1,900 trucks move in and out of the terminal, on July 30, one truck was leaving the terminal every five minutes.
“Our Vaughan terminal has remained open. We are looking at what steps are required if this situation continues,” said Ron Kamins, CP’s superintendent of operations intermodal.

At one point traffic into the terminal was halted, but later resumed.
“It’s very disruptive,” Kamins said. “It’s all being delayed.”

The truckers, who move CP’s railcars by truck for three companies: General Cartage, Canada Drayage Inc. and Sim-Tran, are vowing to keep up their picket line around the clock.

While David Moore at General Cartage confirmed the protest, to the Star, he declined to comment further. An official with Canada Drayage Inc. declined to comment as well and Sim-Tran did not return a call.

The dispute is between drivers and three companies, said CP spokesperson Ed Greenberg.
Greenberg added that the railway is closely monitoring the dispute.

Last week, CP reported lower profits in the second quarter. In Q2, CP earned a net profit of $103 million, down $25 million from the same period last year.

Earlier this month, the company announced it is closing its Obico terminal near Kipling Ave. in November and moving operations to Vaughan, a decision which will lead to the elimination of 30 jobs.
Read the full Toronto Star article here.