The Container Trucking Association of Ontario (CTAO) has ended the strike after finalizing a historic agreement at 6:30pm on September 16, 2015 which was signed by CTAO and Transport Industry CEO’s.
The settlement, after 9 days of tense and difficult negotiations, includes a fair percentage increase in rates for the first time in over a decade and is unprecedented in the North American Container Trucking industry.
Thousands of containers and commodities sat idle with an economic impact in the millions while CTAO members protested united, defiantly and peacefully against low rates, increases in inflation, high operating costs, extensive wait-times at rail yards, and unsafe and unhealthy long working hours, which contributed to an untenable situation for drivers, who are an integral part of the industry and our national economy.
The CTAO represents 800 and growing independent owner operators and drivers who transport inter modal containers from the rail yards of CN and CP and have been involved in a labour dispute since giving advance notice of their intent on September 8, 2015.
“Both parties came together in good faith and we thank the CEO’s who have signed today, we applaud your leadership, courage and cooperation. This was the result of a
collective desire to get the drivers back on the road. After 10 years we have set the bar for container truckers and the standard that the industry respects. ” Patrick Rhodin, CTAO President
“After 6 months of tense and very difficult negations and 9 days of labour dispute we are elated that we have an unprecedented and historical agreement for the members of the CTAO. We applaud the CEO’s, who signed our CTAO proposal and agreement. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.” Ajay Chopra, Chief Labour Negotiator