Both the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (I.E. Canada) and the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) have called on four key ministers at the provincial and Federal level to appoint an independent negotiator to manage discussions between the Container Trucking Association of Ontario (CTAO) and local carriers.
CTAO’s approximately 600 members have been on strike since September 8, 2015. According to the association, several factors contributed to the strike action including low rates, high operating costs, extensive wait-times at rail yards, long working hours, and the increased cost of living.
Both I.E. Canada and CIFFA are concerned about the impact a long-term strike could have on their association members, as delays at Toronto terminals are having a ripple effect on ocean carriers, rail carriers, trucking companies across the country.