Trucking groups team up to address fuel prices.

TORONTO [February 27] -In an effort to stave off further inconvenience to the public from truck blockades, The OTA, the CTA, and the newly-formed NTA have agreed to open a dialogue and to cooperate as they pursue a resolution to the current fuel crisis. In a press release issued Sunday, the OTA said that both organizations agree that an escalation of the protests, including threatened closures of Highway 401 between Windsor and the Ontario- Quebec border, would only invite a negative reaction from the public and government.

Jonn Faustino, interim president of the NTA, says his organization is prepared to work with the carriers, and wants to maintain public support. “Clearly, OTA knows its way around government and can hopefully open some doors for us,” he said. “We want people to listen to us, and to understand our concerns.”

OTA president David Bradley said the OTA has spoken to senior officials in the provincial government, and that they have said they endorse the plan and are prepared to do what they can to help. “We are asking independent operators and drivers contemplating stronger action to give us some time to work within the system to see if we can help ease the situation,” Bradley said. “We have invited the NTA to join with us in good faith as it is in everyone’s interest to deal with this issue.”

Among plans discussed at Sunday’s meeting, the OTA and the CTA have pledged to try to organize a meeting with the representatives of Canadian oil refining and marketing companies to discuss what can be done to accelerate diesel price reductions for truckers commensurate with recent declines in the wholesale price.

In addition, the coalition will attempt to meet with federal officials to discuss ways of relieving current price pressures and to prevent future occurrences. On the rate front, the group will request a meeting with shipper groups to explore their member’s willingness to pay fair freight surcharges in light of continuing high diesel fuel costs and to discuss the trucking industry’s concerns.

The OTA has also invited the NTA to participate in discussions aimed at developing guidelines for owner-operator contracts, along with the OTA Professional Driver and Owner-Operator Forum and Com Car Owner-Operators Association.