Friday, September 22, 2000 Truckers step on gas But province moves to head off fuel protest

By JASON BOTCHFORD, TORONTO SUN The provincial government and fed-up truckers took a step yesterday toward solving an ongoing industry crisis and averting a threatened strike today.

In all-day meetings with trucking representatives, Ontario Economic Development and Trade Minister Al Palladini reiterated the province's vow to force large shippers and carriers to pass along some of their profits -- in the form of fuel surcharges -- if they don't start paying a fair share on their own.

It remains to be seen today, however, whether the government's threat and an assortment of other promises to deal with rising costs are enough for drivers to call off a protest scheduled to start at 5 p.m.

"We are pleased we have made progress with the government. We are encouraged that (yesterday was) the first step of a long road to make these changes," said Bill Wellman, president of the National Truckers Association, an organization which represents about 1,800 Ontario independent drivers. "If the industry doesn't regulate itself, Mr. Palladini has guaranteed me he will regulate it."

Wellman said the initiatives presented in yesterday's brainstorming session -- including escalators in industry contracts to reflect fluctuating fuel costs -- were positive and encouraging but he refused to comment on the planned protest.

"I'll be taking it back to our board and we'll sit down and discuss this tonight and during tomorrow," Wellman said.

The NTA has said fuel costs have risen about 75% in the past year and without help many drivers will go bankrupt or be forced to give up their trucks.

The association threatened to park their rigs and leave them in lots next week unless something is done to ease fuel costs. The provincial government has ruled out the possibility of fuel-tax cuts.

Palladini also promised truckers yesterday that a working group will be established to pinpoint problems and develop solutions.

Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley said yesterday's solutions could go a long way toward creating a system that would put more money in truckers' pockets.

"I'm encouraged and I would hope that this is enough to give people hope and that they will continue to keep their rigs rolling," Bradley said.

http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoNews/ts.ts-09-22-0015.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 22, 2000