January 2010 Volume 30, Issue 1 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Outlook 2010 Is there anywhere to go but up? By James Menzies and Lou Smyrlis TORONTO, Ont. – There was a saying making the rounds at the recent Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) convention that may serve as an unofficial rallying cry for the Canadian trucking industry as a whole: “We’re at a point in time, not the end of time.” For the carriers and owner/operators who survived 2009, trucking conditions can only improve in 2010 right? While nobody’s making any promises, the general consensus seems to be that the coming year will hold moderately better things for the industry. “Carriers should be positioning themselves to take advantage of the turnaround when it comes,” David Bradley, president of the OTA and CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance recently suggested. Citing evidence gathered from the most recent OTA Quarterly Business e-Pulse Survey, Bradley said optimism is beginning to return to the trucking industry. Continued on page 24
SLOW ROLL: DriveTest management began providing road tests for some commercial drivers in November. Here, striking DriveTest workers picket as managers provide road tests at KRTS Transportation Specialists Nov. 18. Photo by Adam Ledlow
DriveTest strikers picket commercial road tests CALEDONIA, Ont. – On the morning of Nov. 18, DriveTest driver examiners, led by United Steelworkers Union 9511 president Jim Young, protested at KRTS Transportation Specialists headquarters to oppose DriveTest management conducting road tests on-site. “This labour dispute needs to get fixed and fixed ASAP. I really feel for the taxpayers of Ontario. The Government of Ontario sold the farm when they contracted (Dri-
DPFs Unplugged
veTest parent company) Serco for the delivery of road tests in Ontario,” said Kim Richardson, president of KRTS. The drivers being tested Nov. 18 were clients of KRTS and had been waiting for up to 12 weeks for tests. Examiners were not testing the general public. “I’m extremely concerned that management performs these road tests. They are not qualified or have kept up their qualifications to properly deliver these tests,” said Young.
Richardson added: “Our clients have all been educated to the highest standard in North America; the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). In my opinion, they were qualified for a profession in driving 13 weeks ago.” It is estimated the strike has affected 300,000 people in the province. Our WebTV show, Transportation Matters, was on-site. You can watch the Nov. 26 episode on Trucknews.com. ■
Inside This Issue...
As DPFs come due for cleaning, we explore your options
• Are you prepared?: You’re going to be hearing a lot about
See page 32
CSA 2010 in the months ahead. We provide an overview on how the program will affect carriers and drivers. Page 10
• Plan your year: Our annual calendar of events will help you plan the year ahead. It’s a busy one!
Page 28
• Tire talk: Are your tires tired? We take a look at how you can get the most out of your tires this winter through proper selection and maintenance. Page 30
• Lost keys, found hope:
While he struggles to find his missing keys, Mark realizes it could be worse. Page 52
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