M T ap ru Pa & E ck W ge xh o s 4 ibi rld 0 tor & L 41 ist
April 2014 Volume 34, Issue 4
TRUCK NEWS Mack has a new president, logo and tagline. We report on one of trucking’s oldest brands’ new look.
Delivering daily news at trucknews.com
Behind the scenes
We take you behind the scenes to see how SmartTruck’s UnderTray device was developed.
Page 64
Van carriers are using decking systems to pack more freight into a traditional 53-ft. trailer.
New-look bulldog
Page 60
Cubing out
Page 52
Page 45
Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1981
All in the family
Natalie and Jacquie Meyers talk about taking over the family business in the midst of a recession.
Port problems Labour stoppage at B.C. port frays relations between port, truckers
By Carolyn Gruske VANCOUVER , B.C. • Strike on. Starting early March 10, unionized container truck drivers began walking the picket line at Port Metro Vancouver. Drivers represented by Unifor-Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association (VCTA) weren’t alone in their protest, as members of the non-unionized United Truckers Association (UTA) have been protesting at the port since Feb. 26. Members of both organizations voted on March 8 to reject a deal created with the goal of establishing a temporary labour peace. UTA reported 100% of its members voted against the deal, while VCTA said 98% of its members were against it. Vincent Ready was appointed by the federal transportation minister, Lisa Raitt, to serve as a mediator in the ongoing labour dispute between drivers and employers at the port. The same day he was appointed, word came that VCTA and UTA would be taking a deal back and presenting it to their members. The point of the deal was to create a situation where the UTA would go back to work, VCTA would forego striking (the union was in a legal strike position) and Ready would prepare a report about working conditions at the port and submit it to the federal and provincial governments by May 30. “We were kind of taken back with how fast things were thrown on the table. We Continued on page 30
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Ravinder Athwal, a driver for Trimac, prepares to unload at a customer site. The professional driver left India where he was a biologist to pursue a new life here in Canada.
A long journey Ravinder Athwal travelled from India in search of a better life for his family, and found it behind the wheel. By Daniela Piteo
T
he journey from India to Canada is a long and sometimes difficult trek, but for one Ontario driver, it was a long haul worth the journey. Ravinder Athwal left his native India over 15 years ago in search of a better life for his family – a better life he found on the road. The first challenge Athwal faced was saving the $10,000 proof of funds required by the Government of Canada for Federal Skilled Workers seeking residency – monies that cannot be borrowed and increase by $3,000 per dependent, which for Athwal, meant a $16,000 savings before he, his wife and young son could be granted citizenship. “There are other ways to enter into the country, methods that aren’t as expensive, but I wanted to move into Canada as a skilled worker,” Athwal said. In India, Athwal holds a bachelors degree in science with a concentration in chemistry. He worked as a chemist in the marketing division of a large pharmaceutical company in India.
“The company I worked for in India had a branch here too,” said Athwal. “I contacted them and told them I had experience with their company.” While he had a degree from a university in India, to retain a position in his field he would require a master’s degree. At the time Athwal made the call to the company, to further his studies would have cost almost 20 grand and on top of proof of funds, tuition was not another expense for which he could budget. “There was no way I could (afford) that. So, I had to find other work,” said Athwal. His second and third challenges mounted quickly – he had to leave his wife and son behind and find a job. “I told my wife, ‘Let me go first for four or five months and I can find a job and a place to live’,” said Athwal. “It wasn’t easy, believe me, I didn’t know anyone here. I came here for three months and worked two jobs. I worked at a gas station Continued on page 42
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