Protesting truckers vow to keep up the fight

PICKERING, Ont. (Feb. 24, 2000) — In the third day of trucker strikes triggered by soaring diesel-fuel costs, several hundred owner-operators rallied here yesterday. Among their demands is a call for retroactive compensation from motor carriers who used them to offset depressed revenues caused by the rising diesel prices.

The owner-operators vowed to stay off the job until their demands are met. The truckers are also asking that their mileage rates improve by at least 25% from an average of $1 a mile, and pledged support for creation of a national independent truckers association. The Canadian Auto Workers union has offered a $10,000 contribution to help establish the association.

Elsewhere, a protest at the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border that choked off truck traffic to and from Atlantic Canada ended after three days. However, reports of loosely organized blockades and “go-slow” protests on highways throughout Eastern Canada continue.