Yet,
despite all the advance warnings, the province’s Ministry of
Transportation (MTQ) did not find it necessary to dispatch
additional teams, notably to clear the A-13. We all know what
happened next.
Yesterday morning, the Quebec Provincial
Police’s (QPP) allegations against the two truck drivers who were
stuck in the snow provoked the anger of the Teamsters Union, truck
drivers and many observers in the trucking industry. Some
commentators even described these accusations as low and “cheap”.
In the course of the interviews given by
Quebec’s Transportation Minister, Laurent Lessard, a number of
questions were left unanswered, feeding the popular perception that
the politician is not in control of his department.
The Teamsters Union is therefore asking Premier
Couillard to remove Laurent Lessard from his position and to turn
over Transport Quebec to someone who can handle the department.
Based on the premise that the MTQ did not clear
the roads properly to begin with, the two truckers were victims of
the situation, and not the cause of the problem.
A witch hunt
The two truck drivers targeted by the QPP are
under considerable stress at the moment. But what could justify
criminal charges against two truck drivers who were also victims of
the negligence of the MTQ? The QPP’s allegations are all the more
unacceptable since there were no patrol officers on site to order
the truckers to have their trucks towed.
Common sense demands that Premier Couillard
call the QPP to order and put an end to this witch hunt!
The Teamsters Union represents nearly 4,000
truckers who drive the roads of Quebec daily. In North America, the
Teamsters defend the interests of 60,000 truckers. Our unique
perspective of the trucking industry, the state of the roads and the
challenges that truckers face is unparalleled.
Roads are the truck driver’s workplace. Every
day, our members, just like non-unionized truckers, face the stress
inherent to their trade: poorly maintained roads, difficult weather
conditions, unreasonable delivery deadlines, delinquent behaviour by
other motorists, unpredictable schedules, detours, inadequate road
signs, never-ending roadwork, traffic bans, etc.
Despite their difficult working conditions,
truckers are major contributors to Quebec’s economy. For independent
truck drivers, as is the case here, the high cost of having their
tractor trailer towed in a major snow storm may have been a question
of economic survival. For these truckers, the cost of the tow could
have meant two, or even three or four weeks of wages coming out of
their pocket.
Plus, there is no indication that motorists
stuck behind the trucks would have been able to move, since smaller
vehicles typically can’t get through roads that are too snowy large
trucks.
The authorities would be well-advised to
recognize the issues facing our members—and all truck drivers—and to
address problems without pointing the finger at people who work hard
every day to provide for their families.
The government must step up and take
responsibility.
Teamsters Canada represents 125,000 members
in Canada in all industries, including 4,000 members in the trucking
industry in Quebec and 16,000 members in Canada. The International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated,
has 1.4 million members in North America, including 60,000 members
in road transportation.
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Information:
Stéphane Lacroix, Director of Public
Relations
Cell: 514-609-5101
Post date: March 17, 2017
