Toronto, March 25: A major cement supplier in the GTA says its operations are disrupted and it is running short of the material due to job action by two dump truck associations.
“The events that caused Dufferin Concrete to shut down production on Friday, March 18 continue,” Pat Raines, commercial manager, Dufferin Concrete, said in a letter to customers.
“Unfortunately we are now at the point where we are no longer able to supply any project within the GTA core after Tuesday, March 22.”
Dufferin said the job action, which started about a week ago, is leaving some drivers feeling threatened for continuing to haul.
“This illegal protest continues to escalate and as of yesterday most haulers are unwilling to risk their livelihood as well as possible damage to the vehicles in order to honour their obligation,” said Raines.
The truckers, who have vowed to stay off the job for months if necessary, say they are the ones facing threats. “Members have faced numerous threats of retaliation, including by large companies such as Dufferin Construction,” the Ontario Dump Truck Association said in a statement.
“They are being told, if they join either ODTA or OATA, or participate in the job action, they will be denied future work,” the association said.
Some 2,000 drivers from the Ontario Dump Truck Association (ODTA) and the Ontario Aggregate Trucking Association (OATA) have parked most of their heavy haulers to protest what they say are rising costs and low pay.
