IN response to the end of a brief hiatus on the issuance of new truck tags, a large gathering of UTA members voiced their displeasure to BC Government MLAs – Harry Bains (Labour Minister), Jinny Sims (Citizens’ Services Minister), Rachna Singh, Jagrup Brar and Garry Begg – over the weekend.
On January 1, 2018, the BC Container Trucking Commissioner introduced his new tag management policy to create a better system on “the issuance, withdrawal and management of tags assigned to licensees.”
In June, under big protest by the UTA, the commissioner suspended the tag application process.
However, a new policy review process regarding tag management has now reversed this decision, and as of one month ago, the commissioner issued the following statement:
“While the review is underway, the OBCCTC will be accepting applications for additional truck tags.”
This represents a direct assault on the future of Independent Operators and their ability to earn a living, according to UTA spokesperson Gagan Singh.
“Almost all of the new tags being issued are being assigned to company trucks, which is shifting more and more work away from Independent Operators,” says Singh. “Companies that are not using their tags are also diverting work away from Independent Operators to their own fleet.”
Point 7 of the 2014 Joint Action Plan commits to a new truck licensing system conceived on: “Control over the total number of licensed trucks to avoid a surplus and support the goals of this action plan”
It seems as though the commissioner has decided to ignore such advice, adds Singh.
“Simply put, more tags in the system equals less work for Independent Operators, and likely the forcible removal of hundreds of business owners from the local drayage industry. If the Commissioner won’t take measures to create an environment that is fair and viable for our members, the UTA is going to stand up and make the BC government take notice,” he says.