Bandstra Transportation has hired a number of former Canadian Freightways employees in the Northwest following a decision by the company to close its operations west of Prince George along Hwy 16 and have Bandstra act as its agent in the region.
Speaking Jan. 23, Terrace Bandstra official Sid Bandstra said more hirings could take place once Bandstra has fully absorbed Freightways' operations in Prince George, Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert.
"What we are doing is taking care of their freight from Vancouver and Edmonton to the Northwest," he said.
"This is a slower time of the year so we'll be better able to sort out and consider what we will need to do."
Published reports indicate the decision by Canadian Freightways to close its operations west of Prince George affected 30 employees.
Canadian Freightways senior vice-president Ken Enns told the Truck News, a trucking industry publication, that the closures were "strictly a financial decision to change the operating structure".
In an email sent to customers, Enns also spoke of "the economic conditions" of the Northwest in the decision to close facilities.
Affected employees will be eligible for severance payments based on the provisions of their collective agreements.