Cascade O/Os to walk off job Friday

EDMONTON, Alta. — Owner/operators for Cascade Carriers have followed through with a threat to walk off the job, filing a strike notice Feb. 21, which will see them parking their trucks at 1 p.m. Friday.

The strike will affect 52 owner/operators represented by CAW Local 4050. Cascade Carriers is a subsidiary of Mullen Group, serving customers in the construction, building and oil and gas industries in Western Canada. The fleet also runs one of the largest fleets of pneumatic dry bulk trailers in Canada.

The union says Cascade owner/operators voted 92% in favour of striking on Feb. 11.

“We are seeking a first collective agreement which provides proper working conditions, rights issues, a stable income and increased remuneration for the drivers at Cascade,” said CAW national representative Todd Romanow. “The drivers helped make Cascade the success it is today. A fair contract will build on that success and help alleviate some of the economic woes that the owner/operators are feeling, especially when it comes to fuel costs which eat away at profitability, as well as the company unilaterally reducing the rates that the owner/operators are paid to haul the products.”