The Driver’s Page

Where the rubber hits the road

I’ve been a courier driver in Saskatoon since 1995. That almost sounds like I should be in a 12 step program. “Hi, my name is Dave and I used to be an independent contractor. It has been 7 years since I was last screwed by my employer.”

This whole independent contractor thing the companies are selling is no different than my newspaper delivery job I had when I was 10. Granted, that first job was on my bicycle but even then the pitch was to own your own business. Well, except for the fancy language, my current contract is no different than the one the Vancouver Sun gave me 35 years ago. I deserve better. Which is why I support unionizing the industry. I joined with CUPW in 2001 and the difference is amazing. Paid vacations, equal division of work, accommodation for injured workers, no need to find a replacement driver. My bias is with CUPW but beyond that my real message is for drivers to get organized and take control of their lives.

We are adults trying to do an adult job, so why are we still being treated like 10 year old children delivering newspaper on a banana seat bicycle? If the industry is going to change then it will only be because drivers demand that it change.

DM.— Saskatoon.

“We are adults performing an adult job, so why are we still being treated like 10 year old kids delivering papers on a banana seat bicycle?”