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il 12 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 17, 2000 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Angry truckers vow to shut industry down By Rik Davie Special to the Star Ontario truckers parked their rigs Sunday afternoon, vowing to shut down industry if their complaints over high fuel costs are not dealt with. About 300 angry owner-operators met at a downtown Oshawa hotel and voted to bring in their fellow truckers from across the province and begin shutting down key industries, like General Motors. Bill Wellman of Durham Region is President of the National Truckers Association. He said some sort of action is necessary for the truckers, who say ris- ing fuel costs are all but eliminating their slim profit margins. "We don't want to interfere with the public's right to move, they are being hurt by this too," he said at a Whitby truck stop, where his members gathered before rolling out to blockade GM sup- pliers such as Veerspeden Transport. "But the message to the government has to be clear... we need help now." Ray Can Transport was also forced to close its yard by blockading trucks. Mr. Wellman said Sunday night the protest could be "another Paris", refer- ring to a protest by European truckers that crippled France several weeks ago. He said the government must broker a rise in freight rates and some relief over the soaring cost of diesel fuel so truckers can make a living. Truckers have called upon the govern- ment to implement a surcharge that would be paid by industry to drivers to help combat spiralling fuel costs. Deisel has shot up in price "significantly this year, greatly increasing the overhead for owner-operators. They were talked out of taking action after a summit with Transportation Minister Al Palladini a few weeks ago. But a lack of movement on issues have brought the truckers back to this point. Brian Jones, a gravel hauler from Havelock, spoke for many truckers including local owners. "If we shut them down for three or four days, it would all be over," Mr. Jones said. "If there's no milk or bread in the stores, well..." Mr. Jones said he has been in the protest since the beginning. "I have been in meetings with the gov- emment for three or four days last week. For what? ..We need answers not promises. "He (Mr. Palladini) keeps saying he needs more time. "Time's up." Further protests are planned, but the over all effect of the action has yet to be felt. Brian Jones | ~-- Br @anmzal) More than a Simple Diary "| PCA 3017 : hh} 81x 11" 3ring bender, Simdated leather 7s ss 5 55 RAAT gh GET READY FOR 2001! PLANNERS - Daily - Weekly - Pocket - ON SPECIAL NOW! BN > TN 7 3 § TR NY 3 WR 3 what fuel costs have done Tractors join Oshawa procession Farmers back truckers in fuel cost protest By Rik Davie Special to the Star As independent truck- ers from across the province began parking their rigs in protest over high fuel costs Sunday afternoon, the farmers of Durham joined them. Truck owner-operators met most of Sunday (Oct. 15) at an Oshawa hotel before voting to take action over what they say is the Ontario govern- ment's failure to present a solution to the problems the industry faces in the form of high fuel costs and low freight charges. "We haven't had a raise (in freight charges) in 10 years," said Brian Jones, a spokesperson for the National Truckers Association. "You tell me in the last 10 years, and you'll know how my busi- ness is faring. These farm- ers with us today should be in their fields, so you know how bad things are to bring them down here." About 20 local farmers attended the meeting. They drove their huge multi-wheeled tractors through Oshawa under police escort after the meeting, and parked beside the truckers' rigs at a truck stop near Hwy. 40 and Thickson Rd. "We are being hit from both sides by the federal and provincial govern- ment's inaction," said Dale Mountjoy, head of the Durham Region Corn Growers Association. "We are at 25 to 30-year JE i ng EEE a a Ne a government," he said. "Add the cost of fuel to that, and we are in trou- ble." When asked if local a i PR Nes Cd Ea Dale Mountjoy, head of the Durham Region Corn Growers Association, was among the farmers in Oshawa Sunday to support a truck- ers' protest. lows for corn prices with no protection from the federal farmers would drive their tractors to Queen's Park in protest, Mr. Mountjoy paused and then said: "Well, not tonight anyway, but I would not rule out anything." 8