Jim in the Great White North

It Strikes Me Funny!

2011-06-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

When I started trucking in the late 70's the average cost of the top of the line highway tractor was $50.000 and i do have ads to prove this.Now your average cost is between $137.000 to $160.000,fuel was around $1.00 a gallon compared to todays prices of $119.00 PER LITRE.Tuck drivers where paid 21 cents per mile now around 40 cents per mile owner operators where paid a $1.00 a mile back then we still have owner operators gettin paid$1.20 per mile and are happy about it.Costs have tripled in the 35 years since I first drove a truck yet we have people workin their collective behinds off for a 1/4 percent raise in pay "DOES THIS MAKE SENSE!"Some will claim I'm whining here but any other industry wages go up with inflation not in the trucking industry.I see all these people going to truck driving schools in droves to get that prized truck driving licence paying big dollars either by government funding or out of their own pockets I just shake my head.Only the drivers and owner operators can change the monetary rewards for this thankless career choice,but we choose to sit on our usless behinds and do nothing,"JUST BECAUSE WE FEEL WE CAN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE,WRONG IF EVERY TRUCK IN NORTH AMERICA STOPPED FOR THREE DAYS THERE WOULD BE A BIG CHANGE."But I waste my time typing this because all truck drivers are happy with their pay.

Stevie Harper Canada's Salvation Or Just Another Blow Hard From The West

2008-09-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

Stevie Harper reminds me of another Blow hard from the West,John Difenbaker former prime minister who in his wisdom cancelled the AVRO ARROW project which threw thousands of Canadian workers out of work,but helped the U.S.A. raid our job force to develope the Modern day N.A.S.A.All on the say so of a U.S. president yes people we do not need a state of the art fighter jet,you need state of the art Made in the U.S.A missles ,sucker shot by the U.S.A.Point we have tar sands lets rape Canada to satisfy The U.S.A. sure we create jobs but in the long run who profits?

It"s your industry"

2008-07-08T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hey I'm been runnin my my mouth for several years "TRUCK DRIVERS CAN DETERMINE THE ECONOMIES OF THE WORLD,YES CHECK IT OUT LOW LIFE TRUCK DRIVERS CAN AND WILL CONTROL THE ECONOMIES OF THE WORLD,THING ABOUT IT EVERYTHING IN THIS WORLD HAS BEEN ON A TRUCK AT SOME POINT ON IT'S WAY TO THE END CONSUMER!"IF TRUCK DRIVERS DON'T WORK NOBODY WILL WORK"Five millon truck drivers go on strike in India,if they can do it over there "Why can't the North American truck drivers grow a big set of balls and go on strike!I will tell you why we are so into ourselfs we blame others for our problems in our indusrty,yep this company or race cut the rate I can't compete or we need speed limiters to level the playing field "Fuck off get a life".Stand together drivers and wee can and will run the economy of the world."You know what I had a low life employer state no truck driver will ever dictate to me,and guess what this employer is the largest used truck dealer in southwestern ontario,where does he receive his income from low life truck divers.

Apology

2008-04-29T18:46:00.000-07:00

I would like to apologize for naming identifying factors in a previous post which I have taken off my blog. I am sorry to those individuals who privacy may have been compromised in my doing so. So I ask that they please accept my apology for this.

TRUCK STRIKE 2008

2008-03-24T15:05:00.001-07:00

TOPIX FORUM IS NOW FULL OF POSTS CALLING A NATIONAL WIDE TRUCK STRIKE FOR APRIL 1 2008.This action is being called fo over escalating fuel prices,rates and wages not keeping pace with fuel prices.As a truck driver I feel this would be a much needed action,keep in mind Ontario/Quebec are on the verge of passing speed limiter laws which will further erode the earning power of drivers/ow/op alike.The general public does not realize if all trucks stopped deliver goods and services the economies of both the U.S.and CANADA would implode within a few days."IMPOSSIBLE SORRY TO BURST YOUR BALLOON ALL CONSUMER GOODS IN BOTH COUNTRIES ARE ON A TRUCK AT SOME POINT ON THEIR WAY TO CONSUMERS."A small group of drivers/ow/op's successfuly shut down major border points in North America in the late 80's this shut down was starting to effect the economies of both the US/CANADA.Governments on both sides of the border we're quick to pass laws ,that would include the use of force to remove the blockades.This brings up the next point FARMERS WANTED TO BLOCK THE 401,WHAT DID OFFICALS DO LET THE O.P.P. CLOSE THE 401 AND LET THE FARMERS PROTEST.Are farmers any better than truck drivers or do they have special rights?For those of you drivers who fail to support such an action"LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND ASK YOURSELF AM I BEING COMPENSATED PROPERLY FOR THE SERVICES I AM PROVIDING?

Jim Flaherty &The Ontario Budget

2008-03-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the release of The Ontario Budget Jim Flaherty chose to hold a news conference hoping to sway the tone of the budget,being a former provincal finance minister Mr Flaherty knows full well the budget was drafted before his press realease today.So is there another motive for his frequent press releases that continuly critize and demean the economy of Canada's most populous province,"COULD IT BE HE IS TRYING TO FOCUS THE MEDIA'S ATTENTION AWAY FROM SENSITIVE MATTERS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL{CHUCK CADMAN AFFAIR OR THE BRENDA MARTIAN SCANDAL OR OTHER SCANDALS}?JIM FLAHERTY AS ONTARIO'S FINANCE MINISTER LEFT A 5.6 BILLION HIDDEN DEFECIT IN HIS WAKE!THIS WAS AFTER HE SAT ON THE BOARD THAT NEGOTIATED THE SALE OF THE 407 WE ALL ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR THAT SALE!ANOTHER WELL KNOWN FORMER ONTARIO CABINET MINISTER TONY CLEMENT WHO NOW SITS ON THE HARPER TEAM WAS ALSO MOST LIKLEY SITTING AT THE TABLE WHEN THE 407 WAS SOLD AND YET THEY BOTH CLAIM THEY LEFT ONTARIO IN GOOD FINANCAL SHAPE.5.6 BILLION DOLLARS IN HIDDEN DEFECIT! GROW UP JIM AND TONY.

SPEED LIMITERS/SPEED LIMITERS

2008-03-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

#1 REASON THIS LAW IS NOT GOING TO WORK***SPEED LIMITERS WILL NOT WORK IN ONTARIO 401 IS THE MOST TRAVELED HIGHWAY IN NORTH AMERICA.TO THINK THOUSANDS OF TRUCKS PER DAY WILL REMAIN IN THE RIGHT LANE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION(as the self proclaimed guru of trucks David Bradley claims is a pipe dream)AND IF THEY DO REMAIN IN THE RIGHT LANE HOW ARE ALL THOSE COMMUTERS SUPPOSED TO ENTER AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITH A SOLID LINE OF TRUCKS FORTY MILES LONG ALL IN AN ORDERLY FASHION IN THE RIGHT LANE?#2 MOST DRIVERS/OW/OP'S ARE PAID MILAGE/PERCENTAGE "LESS SPEED/"LESS TAKE HOME PAY SO THESE COMPANIES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO STEP TO THE PLATE RAISE WAGES WHICH IN TURN RAISES RATES BOTTOM LINE END CONSUMER PAYS MORE.GO AHEAD PASS YOUR LAW AND I WILL GLADLY IMPEDE THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND I MAY NOT BE IN THE LEFT LANE TO DO IT IF ONE SITS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND SIMIPLY PACES THE TRUCK BESIDE HIM/HER AFTER ALL WE WILL BOTH BE SET AT 105 YOU SURE CAN FUCK UP TRAFFIC.SO WHEN YOUR LATE FOR THAT HIGH PAYING FACTORY JOB DON'T BLAME THE TRUCK DRIVER BLAME THE DUMB ASSES WHO DRAFTED THIS LAW IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Free Labour

2008-02-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

You want free labour for your company just call a truck driver!We will not only deliver your load but if requested(or forced by your company we will not only sort,break down pallets if stacked to high for your likeing or as a last resort we will gladly pay for a lumper out of our own pocket).We activety support the underground economy by paying lumpers cash,so they don't have the inconvience of paying taxes or your company has to make all the payroll deductions.Why in this day and age drivers/ow/op are still falling for this is beyond me.Futher the D.O.T should step make illegal for drivers/ow/op to spend hours doing manual labour because some company is too cheap to hire somebody to unload a truck or too dumb to tell the shipper to only put 5 boxes high to the skid instead of 8 or only 1 product per skid.Gordon Food Service,Milton,Ontario,Skor Foods Concord,Ontario Loblaws,Toronto,Ontario

Conflict of Interest ?

2008-01-27T12:57:00.000-08:00

The O.P.P. patrols the 407 these patrols include enforcing the highway traffic act,speeding,accidents etc.This is reasonable but what I can't understand is why a taxpayer funded police force is in fact collecting tolls for a privately held company?The O.P.P. watch for heavy trucks not displaying a transponder and will stop and ticket them.Collection of tolls would be a civil matter,so how does our provincal government justifiy a taxpayer funded police force collecting tolls for a private company.Taxpayers should be actively contacting their M.P.P.'s and asking them why their tax dollars are helping a private company to collect tolls!

TRUCKING PREDICTIONS 2008

2007-12-31T18:30:00.000-08:00

First prediction is Quebec will be the first to pass speed limiter laws dealing with trucks.Ontario Trucking Association was the first to table this issue,but have been silent on the issue lately.This silence is due partly over driver concerns that we should all be paid hourly if this passes!But Quebec will pass it and try and force it on everybody else!I predict U.S. ow/op will refuse loads going into the P.Q.over this issue.Fuel prices will continue to spike forcing a rate hike,but it is unlikely that big companies and load brokers will pass these hikes down the food chain!Hopefuly ow/op company drivers will wake up in 2008 and demand higher rates and hourly wages if we all stuck together for 5 DAYS we could crash the North American economy,We are the most powerful workforce in North America.GM,FORD or Chysler go on strike governments kiss their collective butts to get them to the table.Just think if every truck driver in North America shut down for five days?THE SKYS FALLING,I CAN'T GO TO THE 711 AND GET GAS OR MILK!

RECENT BILLING FROM 407

2007-12-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

I recently received another bill from the 407,usualy its file 13 garbage,but this one was marked 'IMPORTANT"so I opened it inside was a form to dispute a 407 bill.THIS FORM CLEARLY STATED IF IT WAS FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO THE 407 AND THEY FAIL TO REPLY WITHIN THIRTY DAYS THE BILL IS NULL AND VOID!I filled it out and clearly marked disputed along with a letter requesting an image of the plate used.So I will wait the thirty days and see what happpens.But watch your mail for this form!I notice from the comments on my blog that some of you are receiving calls from the 407 collection agencies which are annoying.One tactic I used to end those calls was to use two phone lines once the collection agency phones phone them back repeatedly for half an hour(use redial)it jams their lines and literaly drives them nuts!I haven"t received a call from NOR-DON since in fact they:ve kicked my bill back to the 407!

Speedlimiters & Ontario

2007-12-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

There is a big debate about speedlimiters here in North America,my stand on the issue is simple.Any driver four wheeler,eighteen wheeler or two wheeler who cannot control their driving behaviour should have a court mandated speed limiter.Let me explain this futher the courts here in Ontario can order an igintion interlock system for convicted impaired drivers,so why not impose court orderd speed limiter on drivers convicted of three speeding convictions over a certain threshold?The Ontario Trucking Ass.,Challenger Motor Freight and Kriska Transportation have all stood on a soap box and told everybody the benefits of speed limiters,what they have failed to tell everybody is the real effect it will have on drivers/ow/op wages.They are paid by the mile simple,in the perfect world a truck traveling from Montreal to Windsor at 62 mph with no stops the driver is making barrels of cash!Well what happens if the driver runs into a road closure at Port Hope due to an accident and sits there for 3 or 4 hours which is common that truck isn't moving so driver isn't gettin any milage!Speed limiters are a win win situation but for only big companies.What Mark Dwight and David failed to tell everybody about their little junkit to Europe is all DRIVERS IN EUROPE ARE PAID BY THE HOUR !THIS AIN'T EUROPE.

The Leaders Debate

2007-09-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

This is a laymans take of last nights debate,"DALTON McGUINTY WAS HIGHLY CRITIZED FOR BREAKING THE PROMISE TO CLOSE COAL FIRED GENERATION PLANTS BY JOHN TORY AND HOWARD HAMPTON,THINK ABOUT THIS ONE NEITHER OFFERED AN ALTERNATIVE TO COAL FIRED GENERATION,ARE WE TO CLOSE THESE PLANTS WITHOUT AN ALTERNATIVE?HAS THE TERM ROLLING BLACKOUTS ENTERED ANYONES MINDS!ALSO THE BIG THEME OF THE NIGHT WAS ONTARIO SHOULD SUPPLY INDUSTRY WITH CHEAP POWER MENTIONED BY BOTH TORY AND HAMPTON,WELL SORRY TO BURST ANYONES BUBBLE BUT TO SUPPLY INDUSTRY WITH CHEAP POWER THE COST IS GOING TO BE RECOVERED ELSEWHERE[would it come from taxpayers}.JOHN TORY'S PLAN TO CUT TAXES YET INCREASE SERVICES DOESN'T MAKE SENSE,WHERE IS THE MONEY COMING FROM TO INCREASE SERVICES?JOHN TORY ALSO MADE NOTE THAT ONTARIO WAS ALMOST LAST IN JOB CREATION IN CANADA,HAS HE BEEN HIDING UNDER A ROCK SOMEPLACE NOT TO NOTICE THAT ONTARIO IS LAGGING BEHIND ALBERTA,SASK.DUE TO THE OIL BOOM WHICH IS AKIN TO A MODERN DAY GOLD RUSH.I REMEMBER ANOTHER CONSERVATIVE NAMED MIKE HARRIS WHO SLASHED AND BURNED SERVICES TO THE POINT SMALL CITIES WERE ALMOST FORCED TO THE POINT OF BANKRUPTY.

USED TRUCK DEALER or STRIKE BREAKER !

2007-09-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

Three years ago I worked for a well known southwestern Ontario used truck dealer,as a truck driver.During my employment with this company I was forced under threat of losing my job to participate in the movment of goods from a company in Leamington,Ontario that was preparing for strike action by the union of that plant.These goods were moved under the cover of darkness to an address on Baseline,Wallaceburg,Ontario owned by the above mentioned used truck dealer.This same address in Wallaceburg,Ontario was used to store the scab buses that were used in the Navistar Strike which resulted in a C.A.W. member being run down and seriously hurt by security personel protecting those scab buses.I have in my hand emails that verifiy what I am stating here,these emails name,names including the used truck dealers accountant who incidently owns a well know flower shop in Blenheim,Ontario.So any union member who purchase flowers at this shop is unknowing supporting a verified strike breaker!As for the used truck dealer he has been named ENTEPRENENEUR OF THE YEAR TWICE BY CHATHAM KENT DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.How many NAVISTAR union members have sat in the same bar with this lowlife ?WALK OVER TELL HIM YOU ARE A UNION MEMBER AND YOU KNOW HE HAS PARTICAPATED IN UNION BREAKING ACTION IN THE PAST.If anyone wants proof of this I will be willing to share copies of these emails.

NOR-DON COLLECTIONS & 407

2007-07-09T17:34:00.000-07:00

Dealing with these people I've learned a few things,#number #1 collection agencys bid for blocks of outstandinding accounts,so in other words if Nor=DON can pressure you or what ever to pay that outstanding account with no cost to them other than a couple of phone calls they've won !My point is 888 # it's at their cost phone them back repeatedly talk about the weather what ever,tye up their phone lines their # is 1-888-261-3147 point is who's paying the phone bill Nor- Don even though its toll free your only allowed so many minutes!

SPEEDLIMITERS & ONTARIO

2007-07-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Donna Cansfield announced yesterday that the Liberal government of Ontario will introduce speed limiters for trucks.This decision was made due to pressure from the Ontario Trucking Association and various special interest groups.My question to the O.T.A."ARE YOUR MEMBERS GOING TO ORDER THEIR DRIVERS TO VOTE LIBERAL IN THE PROVINCAL ELECTION,SINCE THE THE LIBERALS ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE SPEED LIMITERS WHICH MAY IMPROVE YOUR SAFETY,OR LOWER YOUR PAY CHEQUE?"Either way "Drivers we are screwed on this issue if The Liberals P.C.or N.D.P ARE IN GOVERNMENT THIS BILL WILL PASS AS THE SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS HAVE CLOUDED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE NOT RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE VERY FAR!THE O.T.A. HAS EVERYBODY CONVINCED DRIVERS WAGES WILL NOT GO DOWN I BEG TO DIFFER ON THAT ONE!THIS MAGIC MIRCO-CHIP IN ALL ENGINES PRODUCED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS IS A CURE-ALL,well what happens if a truck is Calibrared with 22.5 tires o/o goes home and puts 24.5 tires on that unit wow that truck will gain 10mph,better yet what if o/o goes home changes from say 411 gear in the back end to 370 I would say that would equal 20 mph with the Electrontic Control Module still reading 105 mph.So this magic microchip has its faults where is the research the OTA claims to have?Challenger Motor Freight started life as D.&S.Leasing they competed against licenced P.C.V. CARRIERS leasing back then was a grey area in other words it was illegal PEOPLE THAT THE O.T.A. HATED ,YET NOW CHALLENGER IS ACCEPTED AT TH ROUND TABLE AT THE "POSSUM LODGE ON DIXON ROAD" my how money buys influnence.I could name others carriers who started life as BANDIT CARRIERS BUT IT'S POINTLESS my point is wow all sudden we're not bandits we,re industry leaders!Research if DONNA CANSFIELD HAD OF RESEARCHED PROBLEMS ON OUR HIGHWAYS SHE WOULD HAVE TARGETED HIGHWAY RACING,HOW SO, FINE THEM,IMPOUNDED THEIR CARS,SUSPEND THEIR LICENCE AND A LITTLE BONUS WHEN LICENCE IS REINSTATED REQUIRE A SPEED LIMITER ON ALL CARS OPERATED BY THEM.WE DON'T HAVE THAT TECHOLOGY BULLSHIT TRANSPORT CANADA HAS IT NOW!POINT YOU WANT TO WIN VOTES BY PUBLIC SUPPURT DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

407 & NOR-DON COLLECTIONS

2007-06-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Apparently the 407 has sold a block of outstanding accounts to Nor-Don collections,so now I'm getting phone calls from the buffoons at Nor-Don over a 407 bill when I never used the 407 ELECTRONIC THEFT ROAD.Any way I asked the above mentioned buffoons to supply me with an image of my plate being used on the 407 surprise surprise the 407 or Nor- Don can supply that image.So if a credit card company was demanding payment for a purchase you did not make would not some type of proof be in order before you made payment?The reason they can do this is a deal made by MIKE HARRIS AND HIS FORMER CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT!I MIGHT ADD SOME OF THIS FORMER GOVERNMENT IS NOW SITTING IN OTTAWA UNDER STEPHEN HARPER.I told Nor-Don to take me to court they say it ain't worth,so my line to them and the 407 take a hike.IT'S LIKE WHAT DOES A DUCK &lawyer have in common"THEY BOTH CAN SHOW THEIR BILLS UP THEIR ASS"SO CAN THE 407!

407 E.T.R.

2007-06-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

That translate into electronic theft road,case in point I've never been on their highway yet I keep getting a bill for using their road.What a fraud have you ever paid a credit card biil without some sort of proof of usage?These buffons just figure we send the bill these idiots will pay,how many idiots just pay up to avoid the hassle?Millions of dollars into the bank accounts of the 407,my point is stand up for yourself if you did not use the 407 tell them to go fuck themselves!If you can't renew your plates because of a 407 bill throw one plate away and tell M.T.O. it's a lost plate!407 does'nt have that assess to M.T.O. computer's to cross reference that information.

HOUSE OF COMMONS OUT OF CONTROL

2007-05-17T16:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday there was a confrontation between ROYAL GALIPEAU who is the deputy speaker of the house and David McGuinty.Mr Galipeau was clearly the one who purposely strode over to where Mr McGuinty was seated and tried to provoke Mr McGuinty ! As deputy speaker Mr Galipeau is charged with keeping control of the house,this incident clearly demonstrates he is uncapable of performing this duty!Futher the public and governments alike have been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to teach Children that bullying is unacceptable !YET OUR ELECTED GOVERNMENT OFFICALS ARE LETTING THIS BEHAVIOR BE COMMON PLACE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS!"What kind of example is that when you consider thousands of school age children could have been watching this incidents in the course of their studies.Yet several M.P.'s went on national t.v. after the incident to try and justify this outburst.

407 E.T.R.

2007-05-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

An update to earlier posts on the Electronic Theft Road just spoke to a service represenative from the Theft Road over a bill I just received I asked if I could receive the image of the plate that is alleged to have been used to travel the 407!GUESS WHAT THEY CAN'T PRODUCE THAT IMAGE"SURPRISE SURPRISE"WOULD THAT NOT BE LIKE A CREDIT CARD COMPANY DEMANDING PAYMENT FOR AN ALLEGED BILL AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PRODUCE SOME FORM OF PROOF YOU ACTUALY OWE THAT BILL?How many people just pay these bills to escape the harrassment of the 407,when the bill is not even theirs to begin with?One would be better off to let the 407 or their merry band of collection agencies(NOR-DON INCLUDED)to take them to small claims court and produce their proof you actualy used their highway.PRODUCE THE IMAGE OF THE PLATE # OR SHUT UP!WE CAN ALL THANK MIKE HARRIS AND THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY FOR THIS FIASCO.AND IF ONE LOOKS AT THE FRONT ROW OF STEPHEN HARPERS CAUCUS WE STILL HAVE ABOUT FOUR OF THEM STILL SERVING IN GOVERNMENT!!!

407 E.T.R.

2007-05-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

407 electronic toll road translates into Electronic Theft Road,how many people receive bills in the mail,to say thats not my bill?IT COULD BE A MISREAD PLATE NUMBER,OR IT COULD BE SOMEONE WITH A NAME CLOSE TO YOURS ?What to do do,do I pay the bill that's not even mine to save my CREDIT RATING AND STOP THOSE ANNOYING CALLS FROM THE 407 COLLECTION AGENIES?In a court of law people that"Claim"you owe them money would be required to produce some form of proof you owe them money"i.e. a picture of your plate"BUT THE 407 COUNTS ON NOT GOING TO COURT BECAUSE THEY COUNT ON PEOPLE JUST PAYING UP TO AVOID THE HARRASMENT FROM THEIR ASSHOLE COLLECTION TACTICS!WHY FUCK UP ONES'S CREDIT RATING OVER A $7.00 BILL JUST PAY IT!WELL IF EVERYBODY DID THAT HOW MUCH MONEY DOES THE 407 EXTORT FROM EVERYDAY PEOPLE?THEN THERE IS THE ISSUE OF PLATE RENEWAL IF I DON'T PAY THEM I CAN'T RECEIVE MY NEW PLATES.BULLSHIT WALK IN THE MTO OFFICE TELL THEM YOU LOST ONE PLATE,YOU GET A NEW SET OF PLATES.407 CAN'T ASSESS NEW PLATES.

407 Electronic Theft Road

2007-05-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

I have an on going dispute with the 407,they claim I owe them $250.00 plus dollars meanwhile I've never been on their highway,go figure@!These people are ruthless they use tactics that are designed to batter people into giving them money,even if you don't owe them anything.If you dibeleive this case in point THEY HARRASED A MAN IN OAKVILLE,ONTARIO TO THE POINT "HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE"as reported in the Toronto Sun>IT WAS LATER DICOVERED IT WAS NOT EVEN HIS BILL THAT THE 407 WAS HARRASING HIM OVER!How many people just actualy give them the small amount the 407 claims they owe them JUST TO AVOID THE HARASMENT 407 BILL COLLECTERS USE,IF YOU IGNORE THEM THEIR SERVICE CHARGES AND INTEREST COMPOUND RAPIDLY,SO IN MOST CASES IT'S JUST SIMPLY MORE CONVIENIENT TO PAY THEM!EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T YOUR BILL TO BEGIN WITH!YET IF I TRIED TO EXTORT MONEY FROM SOMEBODY I WOULD BE CHARGED UNDER THE CRIMINAL CODE OF CANADA."EXTORT THATS A PRETTY BIG CHARGE"well to demand money from someone that you can't prove used yor service"i.e.can't produce the image of the said licence plate"WOULD THAT NOT CONSITUTE EXTORTION WHEN YOU THREATEN TO DESTROY THAT INDIVDUAL'S CREDIT RATING?WOULD THAT NOT BE LIKE WALKING BY A TIM HORTON'S AND HAVNG THE CLERK COME OUT AND SAY YOU OWE ME FOR A DOUBLE/DOUBLE?"TIP IF YOU DO OWE THE 407 AND YOU CAN'T RENEW YOR PLATES TELL THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION YOU LOST ON PLATE,407 DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO NEW PLATE ISSUE.

Conservatives & the Environment !

2007-04-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

The Federal Budject was released a few weeks ago,mentioned in it where rebates for certain model cars that are considered fuel efficient <>WHY ? Natural gas fuel vechicles are fuel efficient and polluted less,vechicles converted to natural gas should be eligible for rebates and more inter structure should be actively encouraged to developed thru government programs !Natural gas is commonly know as "Methane Gas"it is derived from decaying organic matter and is a Leading Contributor to Green House gas when allowed to vent into the environment naturally,but when used as a fuel that effect is drastically reduced !WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF ACTIVE AND ABANDONED LANDFILLS ACTIVELY VENTING METHANE GAS DIRECTLY INTO THE ENVIRONMENT AS I TYPE THIS ! To be fair to some of the more enterprising landfill owners who have developed inter structure to capture this methane and convert it into usable energy (i.e. natural gas generators that produce hydro ) my hat goes off to you !This escaping methane gas could be captured and converted to fuel whether its used to produce hydro,power cars or heat houses,BUT THE FEDERAL CONSERVATIVES HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE THIS ,WHY? ENVIRONMENT !IF WE HAD A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT IN OTTAWA THEY WOULD BE ADDRESSING THE METHANE GAS ISSUE NOT IGNORING IT !

SENILE OR MEMORY LANE ?

2007-04-11T17:02:00.001-07:00

O.P.P. boss JULIIAN FANTINO ANNOUNCED TODAY HE IS IN FAVOUR OF SPEED LIMITERS FOR TRUCKS THIS IS THE SAME PERSON WHO ORDERD THE O.P.P TO RETURN USING BLACK& WHITE CARS 'BECAUSE "THIS IS THE WAY HE REMEMBERS THE FORCE WHEN HE STARTED "SENILE OR WHAT? "ON THIS SAME TRAIN OF THOUGHT MAYBE THE R.C.M.P. BOSS SHOULD ORDER RED TUNIC'S AND HORSES FOR HIS OFFICERS ,BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS WHEN HE STARTED ? STILL ON MEMORY LANE MAYBE HE WANTS TO RETURN TO THE ERA WHEN 250CUMMINS WHERE HIGHHORSEPOWER TRUCKS STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN A 45 MPH SPEED AND CARS RULED THE HIGHWAYS ? MAYBE THE PUBLIC COULD PULL A 1950'S ERA O.P.P. CRUISER OUT OF A MUSEM FOR JULIAN TO CRUISE AROUND IN,SO HE WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE ?

THE LIBERAL'S AND CONSERVATIVES HAVE ALSO JUMPED ON THE SPEED LIMITER BANDWAGON AND REST ASSURED IT'S NOT OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT OR SAFETY IT'S TO BUY CHEAP VOTES !THE ONTARIO TRUCKING ASSOCIATION'S HAS LED THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO BELIEVE DRIVER'S AND OWNER/OPERATORS WILL NOT SUFFER ANY WAGE REDUCTIONS DUE TO SPEED LIMITERS,I SAY THE O.T.A. IS FULL OF BULLSHIT! SPEED LIMITERS WITH THE NEW HOURS OF SERVICE WILL DRASTICALY AFFECT A DRIVER'S/OW/OP'S TAKE HOME PAY!

MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT STAY IN THE RIGHT LANE AT 105 KPH DON'T LET TRAFFIC MERGE ON/OFF THE HIGHWAY"IF A 4 WHEELER GETS ON IN BRAMPTON TAKE HIM TO BOWMANVILLE WITH THE FL OW OF TRAFFIC !IT IS ILLEGAL FOR TRUCK DRIVER'S TO BLOCK TRAFFIC BUT IF YOU STAY IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AT 105 YOU ARE JUST DOING WHAT THE O.P.P. AND THE O.T.A. WANTS !

AN ORGANIZED TRUCKING INDUSTRY ????

2007-03-09T15:51:00.000-08:00

Back in the 50,60,70's Jimmy Hoffa had the vision of an organizied trucking industry in both Canada & USA was his vision so terrible?I started driving when bumper stickers cried out "JIMMY PHONE HOME YOUR MOTHER NEEDS THE TRUNK KEYS",yes at that time I was against organized labour inthe the trucking industry.But since that time I've seen the effects of FREE TRADE ,JUST IN TIME DELIVERY AND A LIST OF OTHER THINGS THAT GROSSLY AFFECT DRIVERS AND OWNER/OPERATORS ALIKE !Back when I started driving 21 cpm was the going rate, now we have ads proclaiming 38 to 45 cpm that's a pretty big raise 24 cpm over what 30 years,let me see that works out to what less than a cent a year over 30 years!Ow/Op were making a buck a mile in trhe 70's now they're proud to make a buck fifteen thats a big raise 15 cents over 30 years when the cost of equipment went up 50% da !ROBERT KENNEDY WAS ONCE QUOTED AS SAYING IF THE TEAMSTER'S COUNTINUE TO GAIN POWER AT THE RATE THEY ARE THEY WILL HAVE MORE POWER THAN THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF !In laymens terms truckdrivers have more power than we realize if we are an organized workforce.THE ONLY THING STOPPING US IS WE CAN'T ORGANIZE OR GET ALONG FOR THAT MATTER.SOONER OR LATER DRIVERS AND OWNER/OP'S WILL REALIZE THAT IF WE CONTINUE THE ROUTE WE ARE TAKING i.e. working below the rate of the normal workforce,letting mutinational companies control the workforce by screaming driver shortage so the governments will ease restrictions towards immigration and such deals as letting mexican trucks operate througout North America.SOME DAY WE WILL WAKE UP AND NOT HAVE ANY JOBS!

Ministry of Labour & Me !

2007-03-06T18:23:00.000-08:00

I have had an on going dispute with a Well Known Southern Ontario Used Truck Dealer over unpaid overtime.I first took this dispute to the Ontario Labour Board and received a settlement in the neighbour hood of $5900.00 after taxes which was taken at a rate of near 50% I received $2900.00.This individual owed me roughly $9000.00 so how does he get away with paying $2900.00, LABOUR LAWS HERE IN ONTARIO SEEM TO FAVOR THE EMPLOYER NOT THE WORKER!I have since appealed the case to the Ontario Labour Relations Board which a lot of people give up after the MINISTRY OF LABOUR RULES NOT IN THIS CASES.For all you autoworkers who participated in the Navistar a few years,where an Autoworker was run down by a security van.If you ever wondered where those BUSES were stored that the security van was protecting,IF ONE STANDS IN THE SPOT WERE THAT AUTOWORKER WAS HIT AND LOOKS SOUTHWEST THERE STANDS A GLASS STRUCTURE IN THAT STRUCTURE IS THE MAN WHO RENTED THE WAREHOUSE THAT STORED THE BUSES IN WALLCEBURG,ONTARIO

SUNSET CLAUSE

2007-02-27T18:16:00.000-08:00

Well Stephen Harper "aka Baby Bush"got shot down again in the House of Commons today There should be a SUNSET CLAUSE on redundant and repetitive governments as Stephen Harper's government has become. .A majority of M.P's have voted four times against the current govenment on four differant bills ,these M.P's were elected by the people of Canada,so why are the Conservatives not listening ? Did not Stockwell Day go to China to check on a Canadian citizen jailed without charges and held illegality?The anti- terrisom bill does that here in Canada so why has Canada become a Hyprocrite? This is why a majority of M.P's voted against this bill!The people have spoken Stephen Harper your on way out and hopefuly you will take your hand me down MIKE HARRIS CABINET WITH YOU!

CUTTING EDGE OR BULLSHIT !

2007-02-08T04:56:00.004-08:00

David Bradley of the Ontario Trucking Association would lead people to beleive most of his ideas are cutting edge!Let's look at some of his brain storms"speed limiters the purpose for this is driver retention"his first press release clearly stated this will "LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD"IF THIS STATEMENT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH SAFETY I WISH SOMEONE WOULD EXPLAIN THIS TO ME!Electronic On Board Recorders Mr Bradley clearly stated if these were used on a limited basis for repeat offenders of Hours of Service this would be unfair,EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE E.O.B.R. WELL EXCUSE ME MR.BRADLEY NOT EVERYBODY NEEDS ONE !MAYBE THIS HAS TO DO WITH LEVELING THE ABOVE MENTIONED PLAYING FIELD!MAYBE IF DRIVERS AND OW/OP'S WERE PAID DECENT WAGES AND RATES WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO CHEAT ON H.O.S !Finaly Mr.Bradley stated due to the fuel shortage in Ontario truckers should be allowed to use farm fuel which is higher in sulpher content !Da what would that do to newer engines that require low sulphur diesel?The Ontario Trucking Association sure makes it look look like that they are looking out for everyday truck drivers and ow/op's but are they?

THE LAST THIRTEEN YEARS ?

2007-02-08T04:56:00.003-08:00

This keeps replaying in my head maybe it's watching our parliament in action key story line "you were in government for thirteen years what did your government do ?THIS IS THE STORY LINE FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS,IT NEVER CHANGES IF YOU ASKED HOW TO CURE A HANGNAIL THAT WOULD THE OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM OUR CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT!STEPHEN HARPER'S GROUPIES SITTING IN THE BACKGROUND NODDING THEIR SUPPORT WHILE HE SLANDERED A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WHAT ARROGANCE.WHEN WILL THIS GOVERNMENT QUIT BLAMING THE INACTION ON KEY ISSUES ON THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS ?<"GET TO WORK AND DO YOUR JOBS INSTEAD OF BLAMING EVERYBODY ELSE">

WOW DAVID BRADLEY SETS ANOTHER FIRST !

2007-02-08T04:56:00.002-08:00

David Bradley of the Ontario Trucking Association asked the Ministry of Environment if it would be all right if Ontario truckers use Farm Diesel which is high in sulphur content due to the rumored fuel shortage here in Ontario ! It is nice to see Mr Bradley looking out for ordinary truck drivers NOT NOT !Worried about Ontario's economy if trucks can't find fuel to deliver their cargo's !Not worried about the damage that could be done to newer engines that require low sulphur diesel fuel !MORE WORRIED OVER THE POTENTIAL LOSS TO O.T.A MEMBERS IF THEY ARE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN DUE TO FUEL SHORTAGES? JUST PROVES MY POINT MORE THE POWERS TO BE ARE SCARED OF TRUCKS SHUTTING DOWN !DAVID YOU SHOULD PUT YOUR AMBITIONS GETTING HIGHER RATES AND WAGES FOR THE HARD WORKING MEN AND WOMEN WHO ACTUALLY KEEP THE ECONOMY MOVING! EITHER THAT OR O.T.A MEMBERS SHOULD INVEST IN A MUZZLE FOR YOU SO YOU DON'T KEEP PUTTING YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH !

C.N. STRIKE

2007-02-08T04:56:00.001-08:00

It's funny C.N. RAIL workers go on strike Ottawa is going to order them back to work !Would such an order have any effect ? Not likely!Chysler lays off a bunch of workers its on the agenda in Ottawa several times major catastrope !Truck drivers can shut down any auto plant in the country in a matter of hours (THANKS TO JUST IN TIME DELIVERY) BUT WE CONTINUE TO BE TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS WHY ?Because truck drivers will not stick together,we have the power to shut the North American Economy down "LETS USE THAT POWER!

A CASE FOR A SPEEDLIMITER ?

2007-02-08T04:56:00.000-08:00

Last night The Fifth Estate aired a segment on a middle aged male from Guelph,Ontarioaggressive driving tactics<> he constantly drives well over the posted speed limit in excess of 160 KPH has received numerous speeding tickets and is quite proud of his actions!With all the talk of speed limiters these days I would say that an individual like should have a speed limiter placed on his vechicle,speed limiters do have a place but should be used as administration tools when people do not have the common sense to control their own actions and place others in danger !! THERE ARE MANY MORE DRIVERS OUT THERE OPERATING VECHICLES IN THIS SAME MANNER AS THIS INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN ADMINISTRATED SPEED LIMITER. why not use it in cases like this ?

Overdrive Magazine

2007-02-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

Overdrive magazine posted my comments in this issue.

AIN'T THAT GREASY !

2007-01-31T16:41:00.000-08:00

Our Conservative government here in Canada resembles the POPULAR CANADIAN TV SERIES THE TRAILER PARK BOYS !If you never watched the show its about a bunch of social misfits who are always involved in various questionable enterprises when cornered or near being exposed their response is to DENY,DENY DENY AND IF THIS FAILS PLACE THE BLAME ON SOMEONE ELSE.Here are the stars JULIAN (STEPHEN HARPER COULD FILL THIS ROLE),RICKY(JOHN BAIRD WOULD FILL THIS ROLE REALLY WELL)BUBBLES(THIS ROLE REALLY SUITS TONY CLEMENT TO A "T")TREVOR(COULD BE PLAYED BY JIM FLAHERTY ON THE SHOW HE'S RICKY'S BITCH BOY)LUCY(DIANNE FINLAY COULD PLAY THIS PART WELL)!BUBBLES FAVORITE LINE ON THE SHOW IS AIN'T THIS GREASY AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY THE CONSERVATIVES ARE ACTING! DENY,DENY,DENY AND THE PAST THIRTEEN YEARS GOOD SCAPEGOAT.I almost forgot BUBBLE'S HAND PUPPET "KONKEY"(THIS PART IS REALLY SUITED FOR STOCKWELL DAY!)

Harper & Black Friday

2007-01-30T15:55:00.000-08:00

To day we find ourselves governed by an arrogant and egotistical Prime Minister named Stephen Harper,back in the 1950's people of that era found themselves governed by a Conservative Prime Minister by the name John Difenbaker who was also arrogant and egotistical.Besides the above mentioned similaries are there more ? If one looks at Harper's coziness with our neighbours to the south 'RE TAKING CANADA FROM AN ACTIVE PEACE KEEPER TO A FULL BLOWN COMBAT MISSION"re NO BIDDING ON AIRCRAFT WE ARE BUYING FROM BOEING"re TAKING THE TAR SANDS TO FIVE TIMES ITS SIZE TO REDUCE AMERICA'S RELIANCE ON MIDDLE EASTERN OIL".John Difenbaker was also cozy with our neighbours to the south so much so he cancelled the AVRO ARROW PROJECT when our neighbours to the south convinced him that Bomar Missles were a better defense.By cancelling this project he effectively wiped out a whole industry putting thousands of people out of work.Mr Harper is on the same path by ignoring the Climate Change situation he will effectively destroy industries,all because he cannot say NO to our neighbours to the south !

MPP's & MP'S DO THEY WORK FOR YOU ?

2007-01-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

I always though that MEMBERS OF THE PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT & MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENTS work for the people if elected apparently this is not the case here in Canada.It appears once elected they do what they want and really don't answer to people who elected them.I've been doing a random sampling of MMP's and MP's on driver wage issues sort of testing the waters so to speak.This is the response I received,PAT HOY LIBERAL MPP CHATHAM/KENT/ESSEX MY MPP BY THE WAY when contacted by email and asked about these issues did not have the common courtesy to reply !PETER KORMOS MPP NDP NIAGARA CENTER no reply !GERRY MARTINUK MPP PC CAMBRIDGE replied but when found out I wasn't in his riding refused to comment !STEVE PETERS MINISTRY OF LABOUR LIBERAL ELGIN/MIDDLESEX/LONDON this ministry was helpful at first till they realized I had discovered a loophole in the EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ACT DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES OF HIRING AGENCY'S AND DRIVER SERVICES since then not helpful at all must of envisioned an increased workload enforcing the ESA ! JACK LAYTON FEDERAL LEADER OF THE NDP CHAMPIONS OF THE WORKING CLASS DID REPLY BUT IT WAS ON A ROBOTIC LEVEL !LAURIE SCOTT MPP PC HALIBURTON/VICTORIA/BROCK WHO PRESENTED THE PRIVATE MEMBERS BILL FOR SPEED LIMITERS no reply didn't expect one anyway we all know where she stands !STEVEN HARPER PRIME MINISTER PC AND HIS SIDEKICK JIM FLAHERTY BOTH SUPPORTERS OF SPEED LIMITERS didn't email them it would not be worth the key strokes as they support big business.Point is these people get elected get their noses in the proverbial hog trough and feel they are above answering to the little guys ! THEY FORGET TRUCK DRIVERS COULD SHUT THIS COUNTRY DOWN AND IT'S DUE TIME WE GET PAID THE SAME AS THE GENERAL WORKFORCE AND ARE ON EQUAL FOOTING AS THE GENERAL WORKFORCE.WHY SHOULD WE AS DRIVERS SUBSIDIZE CHEAPER FREIGHT RATES BY WORKING FOR LESS MONEY ?

Blogs and Censorship

2007-01-18T17:25:00.000-08:00

I'm on a lot of blogs and I hate to bring up this subject,but what is the use of a blog if your not going to let comments be posted ? THE TRUCK News who ushered me into the world of blogs are not posting any comments.Sure if somebody was demeaning,using a constant stream of profanity or aiming inappropriate comments at a person I could see not posting those comments.But a blog is meant to be interactive and peoples different views and opinions should be posted,I realize that advertising plays an important role for such publications as the the Truck news but so does the individual truck driver who picks that copy up once a month or the thousands of people who visit on the Internet.

Pay per mile,percentage and by the load!!

2007-01-18T06:34:00.000-08:00

Ever stop and think why companies usually choose to pay by the above mentioned schemes ? These wage schemes resemble going to the a casino and playing the games,once in awhile you hit the JACKPOT but usually the house wins !The odds favour the house !Trucking companies know by paying by these methods they are covering themselves against loss,if you are stuck in traffic,held at a shipper or receivers dock or held up by bad weather they do not want to pay for this.If companies were forced to pay by the hour the odds would be then in favour of drivers,but the can't have this as we all know the attitude is drivers are overpaid anyway.The odds favouring companies are increasing everyday new hours of service laws will further limit your wage earning ability by cutting your hours.The proposed speed limiter laws will increase congestion on our highways further limiting your miles per day.Now that the American Trucking Association has opened the door with their proposed use of E.OB.R.'s for repeat hours of service violators,it will only be a matter of time before all trucks are required to have E.B.OR'S,THE O.T.A . is already trying to promote them.I regularly go on another blog JUST TRUCKIN some blow hard is trying to tell people its unconstitutional, its not the American way .Well its funny your American Trucking Association is promoting and supporting these proposed laws and I doubt any ordinary truck drivers will have any vote on these issues.

Trucking Associations Or Are They ?

2007-01-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

The name Trucking Associations brings to mind an association that deals with issues related to truck drivers and issues that truck drivers would like to see implemented.Here in Ontario we have the Ontario Trucking Association who seems to have an agenda that seems they want to be the North American leader in safety innovations.Leaders of such issues of speed limiters,driver retention,driver shortage and champions of E.O.B.R.s.Lets take a close look at each of these issues "speed limiters are more of a driver retention issue for the OTA and with a split speed limits will result in more rearend collisions with faster moving cars striking trucks.The driver shortage and driver retention could be greatly helped if the OTA and its members took the first step by removing the artificial wage environment they operate in, by allowing overtime after 44 hours,throw out paid by the mile schemes and percentage pay by the hour.You will not attract new drivers or retain older drivers if they are not on a level playing field as the mainstream workforce. SO IF YOU YOU REALLY WANT TO NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY LEADERS TAKE THE FIRST STEP.E.O.B.R.'s are just going to saddle smaller companies and owner operators with an extra expense they don't need.Finally if you really want to improve highway safety lobby the government for more rest areas,there are not enough spaces for drivers to take their rest periods.I have personally witnessed the O.P.P. wake drivers up and send them on their way because their parked in an area deemed unsafe yet there are no other places to park.Sure it is illegal to park there,but it is also illegal to run over ones hours.Do two wrongs make a right?A sleepy driver is more of a hazard than anything,so the next time your sitting around the old woodstove down there at the possum lodge on Dixon road instead of thinking of ways to screw drivers try working with them !

The Knan Affair Gets More Interesting

2007-01-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

According to an article in the Windsor Star Jan.15/07 Elections Canada revoked the legal registration of new Conservative MP Wajid Knans's former Liberal riding association in December because it failed to file financial returns for 04 & 05 as The Ottawa Citizen first reported.Also reported were some questionable loans from Dufferin Mazda which Mr.Knan owns.Under previous legislation loans to candidates and riding associations are allowed,but must be declared as contributions if not repaid within 18 months and were limited to $1000.00 under previous political financing rules.TWO BIG QUESTIONS HERE DID MR.KNAN REPAY THE LOAN TO DUFFERIN MAZDA ?IS THIS WHY THERE WAS A SUDDEN DEPARTURE OF THE HEAD OF ELECTIONS CANADA BECAUSE HE WAS ABOUT TO RELEASE THIS INFORMATION ?"AS RICKY FROM THE THE TRAILER PARK BOY'S WOULD SAY AIN'T THIS GREASEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ever Wonder!!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-13T17:00:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder why the person going down the road in a truck is not driving so well,and asked how he/she got their CDL or class A and better yet who allowed them in that truck!We've all witnessed bad driving habits now and again!Company driver trainers and recruiters are the first step on this chain in a push to fill those seats and get them trucks that are parked against the fence moving, they are too quick to approve drivers that don't have enough practical experience.Companies are next in line for some of the blame they push recruiters and driver trainers to fill seats at any expense.When things go wrong those same companies are quick to point the finger at their recruiters and driver trainers,Don't they realize that putting an inexperienced driver in the seat they are exposing their company to millions of dollars liability in the event an inexperienced driver causes an accident.Next on the chain are driver examiners this one I could never understand in most cases these examiners don't hold or have never held the class of licence they are testing the driver on.They've either taken a course or watched a few videos or both on how to drive a truck!HOW CAN ONE JUDGE ANOTHER'S SKILLS WHEN THEY DON'T POSSESS THE SKILLS THEY ARE JUDGING?SOMEBODY IS TAKING A PILOT'S TEST IS THERE NOT ANOTHER QUALIFIED PILOT IN THE SEAT BESIDE THEM!Better yet I watched some videos and took a couple of courses would you let me do your heart by pass?Then there are just the plain old corrupt driver examiners who issue drivers licences for a few hundred dollars under the table.Last but not least are truck driver schools who are on the same level as puppy mills TAKE THEIR THEIR MONEY AND SO WHAT MAYBE THEY CAN'T DRIVE SO GOOD SO WHAT WHO CARES IF THEY GO DOWN THE ROAD AND KILL SOMEBODY !Driver schools teach on mainly empty equipment how does one gain the skills to brake and drive a loaded truck?Instead of criticizing a new driver we should feel sorry for them THEY'VE BEEN BASICALLY RIPPED OFF FOR HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BY DRIVER'S SCHOOLS AND PUT OUT ON THE ROAD TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES BY GREEDY COMPANIES WANTING TO FILL THAT EMPTY SEAT!

The Fear of an Organized Truck Driver Workforce

2007-01-12T12:12:00.000-08:00

Governments both in the USA and CANADA fear it truck drivers ever organized and stood together for a common goal,we could effect the economy of North America.As far back as 1959 this was a great concern as evidenced by the following statement by the late Robert F Kennedy on the Jack Paar show which was the forrunner of late night television talk shows.Mr Kennedy stated"ALL OUR LIVES ARE TOO INTRICATELY WOVEN WITH THIS UNION TO SIT PASSIVELY BY AND ALLOW THE TEAMSTERS UNDER MR. HOFFA'S LEADERSHIP TO CREATE A SUPERPOWER IN THIS COUNTRY -A POWER GREATER THAN THE GOVERNMENT."Even back in 1959 governments were scared of truck drivers organizing,I personally don't agree with some of the tactics employed by Mr Hoffa and the teamsters back then,but I do agree with drivers stand together for a common goal of gaining better working conditions and wages.Even today governments act quickly to stop us from any actions that could escalate into something bigger they have passed laws that prevent us from blocking border crossings or highways!People of differant ethnic races and backgrounds have joined the trucking workforce in the last few years I personally don't have a problem with this,but it has an affect on our ability to organize and stand together,we can't get along and this plays right into the governments and large trucking corporations hands.They know if we can't get along we sure as hell ain't goin organize!LOOK AT IT IN THIS CONTEXT YOU ARE INVOVLED IN AN ACCIDENT YOU ARE DYING YOU NEED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION DO YOU ASK THE DOCTOR DID THE BLOOD YOU ARE ABOUT TO GIVE ME COME FROM THE SAME RACE AS ME?IF IT DIDN'T WOULD YOU REFUSE IT AND DIE?What I am saying here is to organize we must put our petty differances aside and stand together for a common goal,until we're able to do this things are only going to get worse.

Electronic On Board Recorders

2007-01-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Federal Motor Carriers Administration in the U.S. announced that EBOR's are being considered for use on trucks operated by companies and drivers who are repeat offenders of Hours of Service rules.At first glance of this rule alot of drivers and companies will think it is a good idea,but look at it from this perspective once the first step is completed it will only be a matter of time till all trucks are required to have EBOR's.At this moment the Ontario Trucking Association and Canadian Trucking Alliance are starting to call out that to put EBOR's on only repeat offenders trucks would be unfair they should be installed on all trucks.If this happens every minute of everyday of a driver's day will be tracked electronically.A majority of drivers say speed limiters will never be forced on them,well EBOR's are on their way now too.Small trucking companies and owner operators are going to be saddled with another unneeded expense,sure they are saying there will be incentives to install them but we've all been lied to before.The OTA and CTA want to go to the European style of trucking well here's your chance EBOR's record a variety of information" drivers name,exact hours that driver has worked and the exact hours he/she has sat and exact miles travelled."If the OTA and Cta want to be industry leaders as they claim put the first step forward THROW OUT THE ANTIQUATED PAID FOR THE MILE AND PERCENTAGE SCHEMES AND START PAYING FOR EVERY HOUR THAT DRIVER IS IN CHARGE OF THAT VECHILE AND QUIT HIDING BEHIND ANTIQUATED LAWS THAT CREATE AN ARTIFICIAL MARKETPLACE.Trucking companies in the USA and Canada have used these laws far to long to get cheap labour all at expense of hard working drivers and owner operators.

STRIKES&HIGHWAY BLOCKCADES

2007-01-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

Over the years there have been various attempts by truckdrivers & owneroperators to gain wage ,rate increases and generally improve our working conditions.I started driving in the mid seventies when the big thing for bumper stickers was "Jimmy phone home your mother needs the trunk keys",this was in reference to the late JIMMY HOFFA during those years various job actions took place in Ohio THE DISSIDENT TRUCKERS FOR A DEMOCRATIC UNION blocked steel mills and highways.At one point the Ohio Turnpike was blocked at the Toledo exit by a solid line of trucks stretching for miles only to see efforts to improve our lives broken up by the police!You see that governments actually fear that if truck drivers get fully organized and stand together we could shut the economy down!Look at the US/CANADA border blockades of the 80's these blockades were actually starting to have an effect on both countries auto plants were stating to shut down,CEO's of these companies were getting worried and had government's make it illegal for truck drivers to block any highway or border crossing!So how is that when FARMERS DECIDE TO BLOCK THE 401 WITH THEIR FARM EQUIPMENT THAT THE ONTARIO PROVINCAL POLICE ACTUALLY SUPPLY POLICE ESCORT AND CLOSE THE HIGHWAY?Does this not prove that truckdrivers are treated as second class citizens in our own countries,we have no right to protest in our workplaces yet farmers get a police escort!So now here we are in 2007 and were have we got we can't block any highways thats illegal,wages have increased roughly 30 cpm in 30 years wow a whole cent a year!Now our only way to protest is simply book your holidays on the 4 same days as everybody else or phone in sick.But then again these CEO's will lobby the government to make it illegal for truck drivers to take holidays when they want or phone in sick !My theory on Jimmy Hoffa is that Robert Kennedy realized that the teamsters were becoming a powerful force and had to be stopped at any cost,down the road they would eventually took job action that would have seriously affected the economy.

Wajid Knan Conservative spy or special advisor?

2007-01-10T16:33:00.000-08:00

If Wajid Knan was a special advisor to the Prime Ministers,the question begs to be asked"HOW WAS HE COMPENSATED FOR HIS DUTIES AS SPECIAL ADVISOR?Was he paid by cheque and if so there should be some sort of paper trail and will he declare this on his income tax form.Futher as special advisor where are his reports,if he was being compensated for his duties as special advisor that compensation would come from Canadian taxpayers,so were are the reports?But if he was being paid by little brown envolopes stuffed with cash or promises of appointment that would tend to lead people to belevie that he was being paid to gather information on the Liberal Party.These are some of the questions the Liberals should be asking when the House of Commons resumes.The Conservatives now have Wajid Knan big question for them can he be trusted?

Effective Lobbying

2007-01-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered how such groups as the Ontario Trucking Association,Canadian Trucking Alliance,American Trucking Association and the Canadian Automobile Association get all these rules and regulations passed that effect the lives and pocketbooks of everyday truckdrivers and owneroperators ?Its called lobbying these above mentioned associations actually have people that write letters,send emails and in the extreme cases wine and dine people of influence"mainly MPP,s and MP's" to get their bills passed into law.We as truck drivers have alot of influence here but we don't choose to exercise our influence for whatever reasons"I'm too busy,I'm paid well for what I do or my company treats me good.Here is the truth of the matter this is what your company thinks of you Employment Standards Act all lobbied by the Ota and trucking companies"This special rule recognizes that hours of work in the trucking industry are generally longer than average.Unique industry conditions that make it difficult for employers to limit hours,for example traffic and weather conditions."SO LETS JUST DOWNLOAD IT ONTO THE DRIVERS THEY'RE OVERPAID ANYWAY!How many of us have sat at shippers or receiver's docks hours on end gritting our teeth wanting to say something knowing if we did speak up it would on make things worse,when in all fact our dispatcher so be saying something but doesn't have the balls for fear of losing a cheap load of freight!You know why autoworkers get virtually anything they want,simple they all stick together!What is needed here is to form a nonprofit alliance with the majority of driver partiapating to improve our lives through effective lobbying the same as the above mentioned associations do !I have been emailing various MPP's and MP's about the overtime issues and have kept a list of these individuals to see if they would have the common courtesy to reply,at a later date I will release that list and you be the judge who you will vote for in the next election.Anyone interested in forming such an alliance my email is jameslalderton@yahoo.ca

THE WAJID KHAN AFFAIR

2007-01-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

I normally don't comment on politics but I could not resist this issue. Recently Wajid Knan defected from the Liberal Party to the Conservative Party. The Conservatives say it not a big issue but now it seems to happen all the time! Well this issue is somewhat different from other defections, Mr Wajid Knan was elected as a Liberal MP, yet he choose to serve as a special advisor to the Prime Minister and the Conservative party. If Mr Khan was an executive at General Motors and wanted to be a special advisor for Ford Motor Company, do you really think this would be allowed to happen in the corporate world? I don't think so! On the same line of thought hockey is Canada's best known and watched sport, how would you feel if the goaltender for your favorite team at the end of a championship game suddenly ripped off his jersey to reveal the opposing team's jersey after letting the winning goal pass, I think you would be downright upset and feel betrayed. Wajid Knan has betrayed the people who voted for him as a Liberal and should sit as an independent MP or a bi-election should be called to let the people of that riding decide his fate. Will Mr Khan change his mind again after the next election?

Ministry of Labour Reply

2007-01-05T17:25:00.000-08:00

This was received from Kate Lamb,Senior Manager,Employment and Labour Branch,Ontario Ministry of Labour Ontario I will just give a quick overview and the important parts for full act go to www.labour.gov.ca Regulations for Exemptions,special rules and establishment of wage.It establishes an overtime threshold of 60 hours a week for trucking the general ESA overtime threshold is 44 hours.The rule applies to most truck drivers employed by FOR-HIRE TRUCKING FIRMS.So if you work for a hiring agency that is not a FOR-HIRE TRUCKING FIRM and this would apply to most driver services and hiring agencys as most don't hold a CVOR than you are entitled to o/t after 44 hours and you could go back on them for a year.The only loophole I can see is if the cheque you receive is issued by the trucking company you are assigned to,if it is issued by the driver service or hiring agency you should have a case.For those employed by FOR-HIRE TRUCKING FIRMS this is the response,Unique industry conditions that make it difficult for employers to limit hours,for example traffic and weather conditions.SO EVEN THOUGH DRIVERS CAN'T CONTROL THESE CONDITIONS THE SAME AS TRUCKING COMPANIES CAN'T WE'LL JUST DOWN LOAD THE COSTS TO THE DRIVERS!The ESA'S overtime reflects the fact Ontario trucking firms must compete with federally regulated firms,which are subject to overtime rules 60 hours under the Canada Labour Code,and owner-operators.THE MIGHTY ONTARIO TRUCKING ASSOCIATIONS MEMBERS NEED PROTECTION FROM FEDERALLY REGULATED CARRIERS AND OWNER-OPERATORS!ALL WITH THE SUPPORT OF ONTARIO MPP'S WHO JUST ACCEPTED A 25% WAGE INCREASE BECAUSE FEDERAL POLITICS PAID MORE AND WAS RAIDING PROVINCAL POLITICAN WORKPOOL!The traffic conditions mentioned above are only going to get worse if the proposed speed limiter bill passes,drivers wages will continue to fall.The question is how far are drivers going to let their wages fall before they stand up for themselves,I started trucking 32 years ago the going rate was 21cpm we are now up to 42-45 cpm big raise 21 cents in thirty two years but it is humble to a 25% wage increase received by MPP's this year.Incidently Laurie Scott Mpp for LINDSAY,ONT. was asked to comment on this issue and did not have the common courtesy to reply,she is also the person who proposed the speed limiter bill David Bradley of the Ota let her do the dirty work.

THE REAL LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

2007-01-02T08:32:00.000-08:00

The Ontario Trucking Association was the first to propose speed limiters fo all trucks,their first press release contained the following statement"THIS WILL LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD" even though the OTA won't admit it this statement refers to driver retention not safety or enviromental concerns.If the OTA and associates really want to address the driver shortage problem one of the first ways of attracting new drivers and retaining older drivers would be to pay them more,what pay drivers more their overpaid now I can just hear these words being repeated over and over again with a few" that as***** who does he think he is bringing up this subject!Well the truth of the matter is trucking companies have hid behind antiquated laws regarding overtime and pay by the mile schemes for years all supported by various levels of government on both sides of the border.Is it really a level paying field that somebody working in a factory or the local 711 store is entitled to overtime after 44 hours when a truck driver must work 60 hours before they can collect overtime?Would this not LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD between the general population and truck drivers if truck drivers were allowed to collect overtime after 44 hours?It would also attract more drivers to our workforce which I am told is suffering a driver shortage,I would say some of this shortage is self inflicted by the industry its self.For the owneroperators out there if companies were forced to pay overtime after 44 hours rates fo you guys would go up.So Mr Bradley you want a level playing field lets go for it!!!!!!!!

JJ"s PREDICTIONS FOR 2007

2006-12-31T17:38:00.000-08:00

I recently emailed three editors of large trucking publications here in Canada and asked them if they have ever considered running articles on why truck drivers cannot receive overtime until after 60 hours verus 44 hours for the regular workforce this is supported by law here in Canada,I'm unsure what it is in the US.I predict one of the three editors will choose to run an article on the subject,remember these are trucking publications and alot of their revenue is generated by major trucking companies,these major trucking companies would rather not see this issue in the media as it could force them to pay drivers what they actually should be paid.Second prediction the speed limiter bill in Ontario will stall at Queens Park,an election is looming on the horizon here in Ontario speed limiter bill will be pushed to the backburner and David Bradley and associates will be sad as they will lost their chance to screw drivers and owner operators once again.

THE POWER OF TRUCK DRIVERS

2006-12-30T17:31:00.000-08:00

We as a group have more power than we will ever realize,but we choose to stand individuality why is that?As a group we have the power to shut down the North American economy for you saying that would be impossible,well look at how the the NORTH AMERICAN ECONOMY works just in time delivery truck drivers deliver raw products,finished products and everything in between!At one time every city and town had a railroad line running into it but with cheaper truck transportation most of these rail lines have be ripped up,so consumers can no longer just go down to the local rail station and pick their goods up.Laws have been passed making it illegal for drivers to actively block highways or strike,but if we all simply booked holidays or phoned in sick for four consecutive days everything in North America would grind to a halt.The high and overpaid autoworkers would be sent home due to parts shortages,the general public would run to the grocery and gas stations in an effort to hoard food and fuel resulting in shortages.People say well not everybody would join in well if there is no fuel deliveries sooner or later those that chose to keep running would be forced to shut down !Have we not taken enough abuse yet we run when were sick,were underpaid look at most autoworkers 30 to 40 bucks an hour if you figure in benefits yet we are the ones that keep the economy rolling.In most states and provinces we are not entitled to overtime until after 60 hours why is that are we different,yes we are we work for trucking companies WHO claim undue hardship at every burp in the road.For the billie bigriggers out there saying I'M MAKIN GOOD MONEY LOOK AT THE HOURS YOU SPEND IN THAT TRUCK AND LOOK AT YOUR TAKEHOME YOUR NOT GETTIN A FAIR RETURN FOR HOURS INVESTED AND MONEY TAKEN HOME !!!!!!!

DRIVER SHORTAGE ?????

2006-12-29T07:34:00.000-08:00

A lot of the driver shortage is caused long hours and the small amount of wages drivers get in return for those hours!Take for example the general workforce is entitled to overtime after 44 hours a truck driver on the other hand isn't entitled to overtime till after 60 hours this is set by the federal and provincal government!Trucking companies years ago cried undue hardship if they had to pay overtime after 44 hours so the government made it a law.This is an outdated and antique law that should be changed.A lot of drivers have compared what they would make working other jobs with liberal overtime compared to trucking and have chosen to leave the field.Can you blame them?Another factor is the toll trucking can take on your personal life example get a ticket in a truck it will effect your personal automobile insurance!Some driving schools are now telling new drivers they can expect to make $20.00 to $30.00 dollars an hour imagine the shock when they sit down and figure out the hours they put in and their take home pay !And be honest when you figure it out include all the hours you put in and whats you takehome pay !The boom in Alberta may be a good thing because alot of guys are moving to the high paid oilfield jobs this will in turn create a greater driver shortage so sooner or later these big companies that claim to be paying top wages are going to be forced to pay drivers higher wages or their not going to have drivers !

TRUCKERS BEWARE

2006-12-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Here in Ontario they have passed a new law that clearly can affect the unaware.When travelling all highways and you encounter a stopped emergency vehicle on the side of the road if possible you must move over a lane if you can't move over you must reduce your speed till you are past the emergency vehicle.The first offence fine is around five hundred dollars any more violations and the fine increases dramatically.

407 THE EXTORTION HIGHWAY

2006-12-28T15:31:00.000-08:00

I keep receiving bills from the 407 toll road in Toronto even though I live two hundred miles away and don't use their dam highway.I have phoned them and tried to explain that the bills are not mine,but ever couple of months a bill will arrive in the mail each bill is a different amount some under ten dollars others over a hundred dollars clearly different bills.Last year the Toronto Sun ran several articles about a more extreme case of harassment by the 407 and their bill collectors the individual in that case eventually committed suicide due to the pressure and harassment from the 407.It was later determined by the Sun that the bills were not even the deceased man's bills,but someone else with the same name!The 407 can even deny plate renewal for your licence plates,but one way to avoid this is apply for new plates they cannot cross reference with Ministry of Transport computers.We can all thank former premier THE --HONORABLE MIKE HARRIS for selling this asset that was built with taxpayers money and never even had the thought of consulting with Ontario Taxpayers who paid his salary.

Speedlimiters and Low Wages in Trucking

2006-12-26T16:39:00.000-08:00

The push for speed limiters was started here in Ontario by the Ontario Trucking Association in their first press release. The OTA stated"THIS WILL LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD" this statement is aimed more at driver retention than safety and environmental concerns as the Ota claimed. Next to join the push was the Canadian Trucking Alliance who has basely the same board of directors as the OTA so it was no big deal that they added their support which was also claimed out of concern for safety and the environment.The American Trucking Association was next on the bandwagon but were quick to learn from the Ota and Cta's mistake of the above mentioned press release and only claimed their push was solely for safety and environmental concerns,but deep down it goes back to driver retention problems within the industry!If this push for speed limiters is really about safety and environmental issues why were not small cars and trucks included in these bills? Transport Canada has developed and tested speed limiters for small cars and trucks which are linked to GPS so availability is not an issue! Do not small cars and trucks pollute the air and are they not involved in accidents on our highways? So if these bills are aimed at safety and environmental issues include these vehicles in the proposed bills!In the Ota's own words large trucks are least likely to be involved in accidents!The real reason for these bills are driver retention,why involve the governments of Canada and the USA in an internal problem within the trucking industry,what happen to comp and free enterprise?These bills will further drive down the meager wages truck drivers already receive!Case in point a doctor,lawyer,or commercial pilot lose their licence in their professional field at the end of the day they can all get in their own car and seek another venue of employment!A truck driver loses his licence can he/she get in their own car and find another job?