Teamsters certified to bargain for 35 owner-operators

OTTAWA (Sept. 30, 2002) — The Canadian Industrial Relations Board has certified a Teamsters local in Regina to represent 35 owner-operator drivers who haul materials into uranium mines.

Teamsters Local 395 received a bargaining certificate after 33 of the 35 drivers signed union cards. The workers signed the cards after local officials met with the drivers to discuss their concerns about wages and working conditions, union officials said.

The drivers haul propane and other supplies into the mines. They work for Northern Resource Trucking of Saskatoon.

Local officials will sit down again with the drivers to review their concerns. The local will then negotiate a contract with the company.

“We’re hearing from the drivers that there are more owner-operators watching what happens,” said Randy Powers, a business agent and organizer with Local 395. “Hopefully other owner-operators will contact us when they see what we can do.”