May 13, 2008

Ontario Dump Truck Association protest

Resolve truckers’ problems at the negotiating table, AEMO says

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

Solutions to concerns about rising fuel costs and overloading can be better found at the negotiation table than rolling along a highway in protest, says the Associated Earth Movers of Ontario (AEMO).

“We are buying the same fuel they [Ontario Dump Truck Association] are and we are affected as well by rising prices,” explains George Rumble, president and manager, AEMO. “The die has been cast since fall of 2007 on a lot of the projects they are on right now. Prices were established back then on projects.”

The fledgling Ontario Dump Truck Association had a convoy of 150 dump truck roll together in protest along Toronto’s main highways last week to highlight concerns with skyrocketing fuel prices and carrying safe loads.

ODTA drivers currently charge $75 an hour for their services and they want that immediately increased to $90 an hour. Truck maintenance and increasing fuel and insurance costs also are placing a strain on dump truck operators. Diesel costs of 50 to 60 cents a litre have now hit $1.35, states the ODTA.

“Whatever they accomplished [last week], affected regular drivers who are not the owners on projects,” notes Rumble.

“We are not their sole employer either, but trying to pop up by $20 an hour, all at once, is a lot to ask.”

A benchmark hourly rate for dump truck operators was set at $75 through the Teamsters Union approximately 10 years ago, notes Rumble. This rate was set to help level the playing field for both operators and owners alike.

“This benchmark was the ideal minimum of what they could charge. However, you still found operators charging well under that on certain jobs,” says Rumble. “Now with rising fuel costs, that has changed and they want that benchmark raised. You cannot have it both ways.”

AEMO has offered $5 an hour increases to be introduced in July and November of this year and January 2009. Rumble says his associated members are ready to follow through and introduce changes through the Teamsters Union.

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