Sharp Transportation launches ‘Driver Inc.’ website

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CAMBRIDGE, Ont. – Sharp Transportation Systems is joining the fight against Driver Inc. – a business structure that misclassifies employed drivers as independent contractors. And it’s using information as its weapon.

The fleet has launched a website at www.driverinc.ca to host documents and links relating to the way employees and independent contractors are classified, and explain how the different classifications can affect drivers, carriers, insurance companies, and even shippers.

“Our goal for setting up the website is to make drivers aware of their rights, so they can make informed decisions without risk of misclassification prior to becoming an independent contractor or PSB (Personal Service Business),” said Shawn Baird, owner of Sharp Transportation Systems.

Cited sources include the Canada Labour Code, Canada Revenue Agency, and others.

 

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John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.


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  • The problem in the industry regarding owner-operators, is not whether or not they are classified as independent contractors, which they are not, nor is it whether they operate as a sole proprietor or incorporated entity. The problem is specifically that most companies using owner-operators offer per mile renumeration at such a finely tuned level that the o/o will never make a profit, and more often than not, will have to decide whether to pay themselves a wage or pay for maintenance on their equipment. As an experienced driver who purchased his first tractor in the early 90’s and took a job for wages 25 years later, i watched my revenues drop to the point of making poverty level wages. Since i took a job as a company driver, I am finally getting paid for the work i am performing, and have benefits. There is no advantage available for owner-operators in todays trucking industry in Canada as long as the per mile pay structure exists.