Deal Reportedly Reached in GTA Intermodal Trucker Strike

BRAMPTON, ON — A more than weeklong strike by independent contractor truckers serving intermodal facilities in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has caused one group to call on government officials to take action, however a deal has reportedly been reached by the two sides as of Wednesday morning.

In a letter to federal and provincial authorities, the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) said the protest by the Container Trucking Association of Ontario (CTAO) has slowed freight movements at container terminals in the GTA as well as elsewhere.

CIFFA represents some 250 member firms from the largest of global multi-national freight forwarding firms to small and medium sized Canadian companies, according to the group.

It said negotiations between CTAO and drayage carriers are stalled and is asking the government to appoint an independent mediator to help end the dispute.

According to the Journal of Commerce the fledgling CTAO is pushing transport companies to recognize independent container truck drivers as “skilled workers,” a classification that would allow them to unionize. The group claims to have about 800 members, double from about 400 four months ago.

JOC reported a deal between the two sides over the past weekend was close before talks suddenly broke off.

However, on Wednesday morning, according to the CTAO Facebook page, a “meeting held yesterday [that] lasted almost three an [sic] a half hours. After much consideration a final resolution was reached by both parties.”