Jim in the Great White North

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 ...

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 W...

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!

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 requir...

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">

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 !

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!