Controversial Vancouver Trucking Commissioner Steps Down

VANCOUVER —  The controversial appointment of Vancouver’s first container trucking commissioner didn’t last long, just seven months, and some truckers are glad to see him go.

Andy Smith resigned his position this week after it was created following a dispute at the Port of Metro Vancouver in March 2014 when freight movements at the facility were stalled during a strike and protest by truckers over shipping practices at the facility.

British Columbia Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone released a statement thanking Smith for his service.

“The position of container trucking commissioner was created to ensure long-term stability in the container trucking sector that serves Port Metro Vancouver, to uphold the newly enacted legislation and to support better working conditions for container truckers serving the port after a bitter labor dispute,” he said.  “We will begin a search immediately to replace Mr. Smith as the commissioner and hope to have a replacement in place as quickly as possible.”

The appointment of Smith was controversial because he is the president and CEO of the B.C. Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), which represents ship owners and terminal operators.

Among the most vocal critics has been Unifor, which claims to represent the largest number of truckers at Port Metro Vancouver. The union said it is eager to get to work with the next commissioner after it claims Smith proved unwilling to enforce the provincial government’s plan for truck driver rates of pay.

“Drivers from many companies are still owed thousands of dollars. The industry can’t function properly without appropriate oversight, so we welcome the opportunity to make progress with the next commissioner,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias in a statement.

Chief among the container truckers’ concerns are the outstanding payments promised to the drivers at the resolution of the March 2014 strike.

Unifor said despite the drivers upholding their commitment to return to work, most companies have balked at the wage increase and Smith initially refused to implement the new rates and delayed taking action against rogue companies.

“We’ve always believed that Andy Smith was the wrong person for this job because he represented shipping interests at the same time. The fox was guarding the hen-house,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s BC area director.

 


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