MGT’s 2016 Truckers Appreciation Day started off as an unseasonably cool day with a threat of rain. However, attendees were not deterred and came out in droves. Truckers and management staff didn’t let the cool weather thwart this 12th annual event in recognition of the hard working trucking community, and more than 1000 attended.
When asked, several truckers commented on how the various construction detours were affecting their work, bringing frustration as well as worry. One driver stated that when he arrives at the Port of Montreal and eventually gets through the common gate, it is smooth sailing through MGT. He commented that it was almost as if the staff at MGT knows their frustrations and tries to compensate by working to turn them around faster.
This year, in recognition of the truckers, MGT opted to distribute port access pass lanyards that were received as both practical and safe. However, the real clincher was the distribution of a working tool designed by MGT to allow truck operators to improve communications with RTG (rubber-tired gantry cranes) operators to expedite receiving their particular containers from the stacks.
Throughout the entire day staff members from the MGT maintenance department, Mr. Alain Brisebois (Electrician Section 62) and Mr. Richard Gagnon (Mechanic Section 77) took time to speak with truckers both on an individual basis and in small groups to explain an assistance program put in place by the MGT maintenance department focused on assisting truck operators faced with mechanical concerns. It has tentatively been named; Zone Camionneur / Truckers Zone.
This annual event also takes into account an opportunity to raise funds for the good work of Montreal’s Mariners’ House. Through your extraordinary generosity, donations this year reached $870.00 and MGT will match this amount and provide a cheque in the amount of $1,740 to Mariners’ House forthwith.
Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership wishes to thank the entire trucking community for another year of amazing commitment on its part.