November 2008 Volume 19, Issue 11 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
A new approach
Truckers answer the call
New trucker group uses Internet to give drivers a voice By Jan Westell KAMLOOPS, B.C. – The B.C. carbon tax has many truckers on both sides of the provincial border livid about the price of diesel. A few B.C. drivers tried to get organized to fight this new tax, but they soon realized that they needed greater political clout if they were going to get any results, according to Larry James Hall, the president and founder of The North American Truckers Guild. “Without organization, our efforts were not going to amount to anything,” says Hall, an owner/operator under the name Extreme Transportation, who adds that a chance meeting introduced him to what he considers a brilliant method of organizing a group and making a political impression at minimal cost, via the Internet. “I was fortunate enough to sit beside a computer marketing genius during a six-hour flight in April,” he says. “Drivers have never before had the opportunity that awaits them with the technology of today.” The average truck driver is usually confined to a vehicle, restricted to a tight driving schedule, and traditionally lacked technological tools – until recently, he adds. Now, drivers have the ability to
Truckers in four provinces raise nearly $100K in World’s Largest Truck Convoy
CARING CONVOY: Truckers in Saskatchewan take part in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy Sept. 20. Saskatchewan truckers raised over $12,000 for Special Olympics and participants in three other provinces contributed to a national total of nearly $100,000. Photo by Ken Dumont
By Jan Westell WINNIPEG, Man. – Despite the high price of fuel, Canadian truck drivers in four provinces stuck to a commitment to seek financial pledges, clean up their rigs, and travel in the World’s Largest Truck Convoy, an annual charitable event to raise money for Special Olympics. In Winnipeg, 43 truck drivers participated in the event, which had the support of the Manitoba trucking industry, as well as local and regional police. The Manitoba convoy was scheduled one week before the national event Sept. 20, in order to coincide with National Trucking Week, according to the event organizer. Terry Hopkinson serves as the director of special projects for Special Olympics Manitoba, and was pleased with the financial results. “We raised just over $17,000 net on the event – up almost Continued on page 5 ■
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Mark Dalton O/O
Inside This Issue... • Cross-border blues:
This year’s American Trucking Associations’ convention was a somber affair. Lou Smyrlis Page 13 reports on what’s got American truckers down.
What to consider when choosing a cab heater.
• It’s easy being green: Full coverage of the Same Roads… New Challenges enviro conference.
Pages 14-18
• Some R&R: Over the Road held its sixth annual Canadian Recruiting and Retention Conference recently. A reminder Pages 25-26 that the driver shortage hasn’t gone away.
• Hiding the bomb: A look at the safe, but secretive, world of
See page 30
HazMat hauling.
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