It's probably a combination of the two.
Right now, a truck driver in Atlantic Canada earns an average of $55,000. That said, I do know some who make up to $80,000 or $90,000. Since drivers are paid by the mile, they have to drive a lot. The working conditions are beginning to change, though. It's the most discussed topic at our national meetings, which are held twice a year. Some carriers say they pay drivers over time, and others report paying them by the hour.
Companies are starting to change their practices, and with drivers looking for the these new benefits, it helps companies keep their existing drivers. Recruiting workers is definitely a challenge, so offering new benefits helps companies keep the drivers they have. They're offering better pension plans, more benefits and considerable bonuses based on how drivers operate their vehicles. Whether they drive aggressively is taken into account, for instance, and if they achieve significant diesel savings, they get a bonus at the end of the month.
The working conditions are changing quite dramatically. Of course, not every carrier is making changes, but they are starting to be felt across the industry.