OBAC, Marine Atlantic discuss owner-op concerns

ST. JOHN’S, (Oct. 15, 2004) — The Owner-Operators’ Business Association of Canada and its Newfoundland caucus, the Newfoundland & Labrador Independent Truckers Association, are in talks with Marine Atlantic about smoothing over several operational and service issues that OBAC says are frustrating truckers.

OBAC is representing truckers and their concerns over scheduling and loading procedures with the ferry’s roll-on service at the Port aux Basques and North Sydney terminals.

Today’s Trucking reported earlier this month that about 70 truckers staged a protest at the North Sydney dock by walking across the terminal entrance and slowing down loading procedures. One trucker, Bonavista Bay owner-op Clyde Bungay, was subsequently banned for two weeks after Marine Atlantic singled him of as the ringleader of the demonstration.

“They know me. They figured they could make an example out of me. They thought if they can get Clyde then the rest of the guys will go away with their tail between their legs,” he told Today’s Trucking at the time.

But Marine Atlantic President and CEO Roger Flood strongly denied Bungay was banned to intimidate other drivers, but instead because he had been warned several times in the past that the company would not tolerate activities that obstructed operations. “That’s obstruction of our business,” he said. “Surely that’s reason for telling someone they’re not welcome.”

That event sparked this latest meeting, which OBAC Executive Director Joanne Ritchie termed as productive. “There was some frank discussion, a lot of issues were put on the table,” she said. “But most importantly, we’ve opened the lines of communication between Marine Atlantic and owner-operators, a segment of the industry whose concerns haven’t been adequately addressed.”

It was useful to look at the issues from both sides, added Ritchie. “Marine Atlantic looks at the big picture — they consider overall service levels, and when they add up the numbers and average things out, they can point to improvements in a number of key areas,” she said. “But that big-picture view often doesn’t make sense to an individual who’s looking at things from behind the wheel of a truck. Especially if they’re left sitting on the dock for 24 or 36 hours.”

While such wait times do happen on occasion, Flood told Today’s Trucking such situations are rare and occur during extreme events such as when the remnants of hurricane Ivan caused some severe weather in the Atlantic region late last month.

But Flood admitted in his meeting with OBAC that the crown corporation could do a better job in some of areas to improve service to its roll-on customers. Flood says he is committed to ongoing improvement, and would welcome input from front-line ferry users through dialogue with the associations. He has already agreed to looking at new ways of improving traffic flow and scheduling, addressing some safety concerns, and policy clarification.

NLITA President Jon Summers, who chaired the meeting, also came away feeling hopeful. “I believe we’ve made some positive first steps in resolving issues that have been plaguing owner-operators and drivers for years,” said Summers. “In the past, we’ve expressed our concerns to local terminal staff, but this is the first time owner-operators have had the opportunity as a group to discuss the issues with Marine Atlantic senior management.”