FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 9, 2005
Higher fuel
costs put pressure on truck safety: OPSEU
TORONTO – Recent spikes in the
price of fuel are making Ontario highways more dangerous, says
the union representing the province’s Transportation
Enforcements Officers (TEOs).
“Higher fuel costs are pushing
many truckers to the edge financially, as the truck protests
in New Brunswick show,” said John O’Brien, northwestern region
vice-president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.
“In an industry as competitive as the trucking industry, these
pressures will cause some truckers to delay needed maintenance
to their vehicles. That means more dangerous trucks on our
highways, and more danger to motorists.”
O’Brien called on the McGuinty
government to fill over 50 vacancies among TEOs to keep truck
safety from deteriorating to the level it was at a decade ago,
when flying truck tires killed four Ontarians.
“Inspection stations are closed
and patrols are cut back far too often, including every
statutory holiday, because of staff shortages and budget
restraint,” said O’Brien. “Truck traffic is increasing.
Economic pressures are increasing. More and more trucks are
avoiding safety inspections.
“Transportation Enforcement
Officers are the backbone of highway safety in Ontario. We
need more officers on the job immediately.”
- 30 -
For more information:
John O’Brien (807) 628-4364
(cell)
Randy Robinson (416) 448-7441 or (416) 788-9134 (cell)
