Laval, October 7, 2019 — This morning, Camo-route launched its “Women Drivers: Objective 10%” campaign to increase number of women drivers in the trucking in Quebec’s trucking industry.
François Laporte, the president of Teamsters Canada, Jean Chartrand, the president of Teamsters Local Union 106, along with Marcel Massé and Sylvie Duval from Local Union 106 were present at the campaign launch announcement.
The labour shortage in the road transport industry means that tens of thousands more truckers will be needed by 2020, according to the Conference Board of Canada. It’s a big part of why Camo-route and its partners developed this recruitment and retention strategy.
“Teamsters Canada is very concerned with employment equity and equality between men and women,” explained François Laporte in his speech. “With women making up only 4% of truck drivers, we absolutely need a plan in place to correct the situation. »
Given the labour shortage and in the interest of social justice, the Teamsters Union believes that employers and unions work together to transform workplaces and make them more welcoming to women drivers, while retaining those the women who are already in the industry.
Understanding the issues facing women in trucking
Camo-route and its partners conducted a study to better understand the issues facing women in trucking. The resulting action plan call for creating a more supportive, inclusive and respectful environment, supporting women during training and throughout their careers and creating a shared responsibility for the campaign’s perennity.
There is still a long way to go before anyone can say mission accomplished, but the president of Teamsters Canada has assured Camo-route that “together, we can make it happen.”
“We need to project an inclusive image of the industry to women workers and ensure that training and workplaces are safe and free of all forms of discrimination and harassement,” concluded Laporte.
Teamsters Canada represents 125,000 members in all industries across the country, including over 15,000 long-haul truck drivers. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, with which Teamsters Canada is affiliated, represents 1.4 million workers in North America.
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For information :
Stéphane Lacroix, Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Mobile : 514 609-5101
[email protected]
