Mike Millian of PMTC is on the Dawg On-It Trucking Pawedcast, Episode #11

Mike Millian is on the Dawg On-It Trucking Pawedcast this week and he is discussing ELDs and their implementation, The PMTC and COVID-19. 

PMTC Annual Conference information, http://www.pmtc.ca/events--awards/2020-pmtc-annual-conference

PMTC Fall Golf, http://www.pmtc.ca/events--awards/2020-pmtc-annual-fall-golf-tournament

To get in touch with Mike you can reach out to him here:
Email, trucks@pmtc.ca
Phone, 1 877 501 PMTC(7682)
Website, www.pmtc.ca
Twitter, @privatefleets
Linkedin, Mike Millian
Facebook, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada
Instagram, @PMTCYLG

Keeping it Safety Dawg Simple!

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Transcript

Safety Dawg:   0:00
And welcome to another episode of the Dawg On-It Trucking Pawedcast. We have Mr. Mike Millian of PMTC, Private Motor Truck Council. Mike has many opinions, and around minute 45 he expresses what's going on with the truck driver's reputation. So stuck it in to hear that, um, we had to use Zoom due to some technical difficulty. So it is not quite the same format as normal in the visual, but the audio is pretty darn good. So I hope you enjoy the show. Let's get on with Dawg On-It Trucking Pawedcast. I'm your host, Chris Harris, Safety Dawg. And when it comes to trucking safety, that Dawg is on-it to show your appreciation for the podcast by leaving a thumbs up a comment. A rating. It would help me so much to raise the profile of this show and bring it and make it available to even more listeners. So thank you very much. I appreciate you and your time that that takes. Now, let's get all of Hey, Mike, Thanks for coming on to the Dawg On-It Trucking Pawedcast. How are you?

Mike Millian:   1:23
Good. Chris. and thanks for having me. Very glad to be on it.

Safety Dawg:   1:28
Well, it's unusual times right now, so I'm I'm happy to be doing this kind of stuff, You know? How in the hell are Sorry? Hopes. Cut that out. How in the heck are you? Finding Cove in 19. Working from home.

Mike Millian:   1:50
It's ah, it's different, that's for sure. I've, uh you know, I'm used to working remotely our office in Melton. I probably went to it on average about once a week. Um, I've been there twice since the 13th of March. But what about what's really different is I probably worked from from home in my basement office. Fun average once a week as well in my other office was whatever hotel room I was that in whichever city I was that as I was traveling around the country, going to industry events or consulting the government, some run rules and regulations on I got off the plane of the 13th of March coming back from Winnipeg on the LD consultations, and I have not been in a plane sense, and this time a year I'm used to traveling all over the place. So it's it's different is I've told everybody keeping busy. Um, everything's Kobe 19 related that we're dealing with the government's on a constant basis. So the days of going quick cause we're busy, but the weeks feel like months because I'm not me and probably many other people. I'm not used to sitting still in my in my basement for 10 hours a day on phone calls and zoom meetings and go to meetings and everything else. And, you know, we're on same boat when you mean you never leave where they are. Days may go fast, but the weeks is that they drag, that's for sure.

Safety Dawg:   3:21
Uh, I find the days go very fast and the weeks go fast. And I often have to ask myself, What day of the week is this one?

Mike Millian:   3:30
Yeah, well, I do agree with you there. I'm never sure what day of the week it is because they all seem to that they all feel like same other than other than, you know, I'm a drink motor on Saturday. That noone than I do on Wednesday.

Safety Dawg:   3:44
Okay. And of course you're referring to water. You're drinking at noon, but

Mike Millian:   3:49
And coffee? Coffee, of course.

Safety Dawg:   3:52
Yeah. Now you know, you mentioned that you were keep Just came back from Winnipeg for an E l D. Meeting. Is there anything that you can share a boat? Yield. These coming?

Mike Millian:   4:06
Um, well, transport Canada did announce seeing 12 or 13 of March, and it kind of got lost in everything. I believe Transport Canada did announce that the testing procedures air finally ready. So

Safety Dawg:   4:23
Oh, cook,

Mike Millian:   4:24
eat of the testing procedures. So the Standards Council of Canada can now put out a, uh, call for people that are interested in being the independent third party certification body. They can now apply to Standards Council of Canada and then the Standards Council of Canada. We'll test them to ensure that they have everything that they need to be able to test any l. D. So the stage we're at right now is standards Council of Canada is in the process of testing to be able to certify the third party certification. But if you can follow that, it was set to probably be a boat made before we would have saw the first certified testing body on board. And once they were ready than once it was announced who was available. Then the E L D manufacturers would be able to submit their devices to that independent third party to task to be certified. So the way things were going before Kobe hit, I think we were on paste and maybe see our first certified yelled in the market by say, Jr July Oh, here they have to. Everybody has to comply with by June 12 2021. Um, I think that's obviously gonna be delayed trance work and is not saying that this is just my personal opinion, but I think that's obviously going to be delayed because all governments right now are being focused on Kobe 19 to and rightly so a. That's the biggest priority everybody has right now. Um, so I personally think we're going to see a delay there. They're still saying they're gonna meet the June 12 2021 deadline. I think that's gonna be difficult. I think we may have to see a engine coming up the other end, but we'll wait and see how Ah, I think shake out. Would Kobe, 19 is done. I think before Kobe 19 hit, I was on record was saying I didn't think June troughs and 2021 was feasible. Um, so if that was my opinion before, it definitely hasn't changed.

Safety Dawg:   6:37
Yeah, I agree. I think that's a tough number to hit. But, I mean, I just jumped right into that, and I didn't give you the opportunity. Teoh, tell us a little bit of boats yourself. How you know. I know before I ask you about pmt. See, I know that you're in charge of P M d. C, but how did you get there? What What's your background? Yeah, Um, I

Mike Millian:   7:02
started to notice a truck driver, actually, when I was 18 years old. So I grew up on a bee farm in rural Southwest. Voluntary. My whole family was farmers, And, uh, when I was 18 years old, um, my father decided he was going to sell the farm. Um, we talked about it first, but I was a kid who grew up in the farmer who had, uh, hay fever and asthma. So I

Safety Dawg:   7:26
at

Mike Millian:   7:26
a time in hospitals when I was a kid, because I would still want to go and help due haste around whatever else and then that would trigger my asthma. And there we would go. So it was pretty obvious I wasn't born to be able to farm and remain like Elsie in alive. When Dad sold one way to drug crimes, there was a truck driving school around time called murderers in Cambridge. And I went there, I got my license and I spent three years for a local livestock hauler. Eso I stayed kind of in the farming background and grow for him for three years. Then it went in the long haul for five years and all the refrigerated in general Freak, um, 48 states and six provinces that are a long haul for. After doing that, that carrier that I was at open the driving school and I actually went to work is a certified driver trainer for that school for 10 years. And then the school moved a couple hours away from where I was. So I stayed at our office and Exeter. The company was called very transport stated. Our office and Exeter and I worked in safety compliance training, taught their orientation for three days of the week, and, uh from and I went down to the school and work the additional two days of the week down there. So I spent nine years of them. They went into, ah, bankruptcy. Unfortunately, and then I entered the private food industry, went to a sleep all defensive district popular, And I spent 12.5 years there looking after safety, compliance, training and maintenance for their fleet. Fleet grew from 40 trucks to 160 in the 12.5 years I was there, um, fairly big agriculture cooperative. While I was there, I got involved with PMT see, on their board of directors. Um, actually, my introduction to the P M. D. C. I entered us in the Fleet Safety Awards on We wanted twice and went to their conference, and that was our introduction. And then I joined is a member and it was member for eight years, was on the board of directors for three or four and, um, in 2015 Bruce Richards Why? I guess he announced he was retiring. Well, the current president that time, Bruce Richards, announced he was going to retire, and I put my name in the hat and I became the president of this association in January 2015. So that's uh, that's my I guess that's a thorough background for a That's from beginning to end. Her I does not end beginning to curb.

Safety Dawg:   10:01
Well, that's pretty cool, though. So pmt see exactly what is it? I know it's private Motor Truck Council. What does it do?

Mike Millian:   10:10
Yes, so we private Motor Truck Council of Canada. So we are the only national association that represents private and dedicated, please. So I know most your listeners air probably educated. But you know the difference between a private and for higher. But just to give it a quick summary ization of for hire. Fleet is somebody who always anything for anybody for money. There's old main businesses trucking any private in business in something other than trouble. So a, uh, and I'll give a few examples of home hardware. Coca Cola Tim Hortons tracks air. That's Molson Coors, um, superior propane, those those types of companies. So they're main business is something else, but they have a large fleet of trucks to get their product or service out to their end user, which is their customers. Um, so that's mainly who we represent his private and dedicated fleets. We've been around since 1977 in our main goal is, um, is two or three. We consult with governments on a regular basis, both federal angel, um, and try to ensure that rules, air shape and form in a way that helps not only our members. But I also think what it helps the industry as a whole. Um, and our second biggest job, I think, would be keeping her members up to date on what is going on out in the industry. So keeping them educated a lot of private fleets different than a for hire fleet. A lot of private fleets will not have a full fledged safety department. They're there because they're not just a trucking company. Their safety manager may also be in the warehouse of times. Look after distribution and other stuff. So because of that, I think a large part of our role, if those private fleets is it's constantly making sure they have access to the information without having to look through magazines, websites, whatever else. So we we flip the information to the money, but I constant basis through Ah, it's very emails and news breaks and that sort of thing, So I think that our second goal is keeping about the data on school. Being involved in the stakeholder consultations helps as well, because it allows us to know kind of what's happening before it happens, which allows us to keep our members up to date on the occasional opportunities. So our conference seminars, those types of things

Safety Dawg:   12:40
well, there. So you consults or act as an industry voice to government, as you mentioned the L D L'm. So you're invited to sit at the these beatings to give well, impact. How yield these air going to affect private fleets? Is that your rule?

Mike Millian:   13:01
Well, and it's not just any weekend sold in all sorts of rules regulations. During the LDS, we did mandatory entry, double training trip inspections. Any any rule on regulatory change. That the government is is thinking of making a lot of cases. They will consult with industry associations, so it's of our goal is to find out what they plan to do. Ah, and then consult with them and try to tell them what we think. Okay, this is the pro to what? This is the conduit. Eso tell them how we think it's going to affect our members and how we think it's gonna wear factor industry and then try to guide them as they go. So you know, this is a good idea, but we need to think about this. We need the change that so defending whatever topic your own in a lot of cases that governments may not have the industry ands on experience to know how it's really going to affect people getting that in from industry association so they can tell them how this affects the front lines and how we think it should go on what should be.

Safety Dawg:   14:03
So, uh, I think that's pretty cool. And I'm glad you give us insight to the what's happened with the L. D's because, quite honestly, I was, um, wondering what the heck is going on because I haven't heard anything at all recently until, uh, what you just said. Third party testing has been approved, and now they're looking for testers, I guess, is my Damon's language.

Mike Millian:   14:32
Yes. So the testing procedures had to be finalized first that they finally were in March, and then they announced that they were ready for people to submit to become the independent third party, but it kind of got lost. I think it was March 14th came out while we all know what was happening then, like the NBA NHL on all that being a sports fan, all that stuff was being shut down on the 12th. And and in the 13th governments are talking how much it's been with fact here. So when that announcement got thrown out ice, there was so much covert stuff there and they could just kind of got lost in the weeds. And And to be honest, I think anybody who's priority waas waiting for there was a lot of banks in the industry. When is this going to be ready? When her looking for devices that are going to be certified, Everybody went from that to holy crap now underway and everybody's focus changed 100% to Colbert and trying to put out fires. So it's so Yeah, I get that. That announcement probably would have been a fairly big announcement. Um, and it was put out by truck moves in today's rocking, but I don't think anybody really, really paid attention to it.

Safety Dawg:   15:40
Well, I didn't And, um, you know, you mentioned two things there, uh, sports being a huge sports fan who's your favorite team? Just out of curiosity, just so I can rub it in

Mike Millian:   15:54
Z is there's a poster up behind me there. I'm that believes in. So, um, I guess you can look at that two ways If somebody said the other day, if you're if you're a lifelong leaves fan, they're either the eternal optimist where you just learned to live with disappointment.

Safety Dawg:   16:12
Yeah, you know, and you were just mentioning Covic. How has Cupid affected your members?

Mike Millian:   16:23
It's all over the board, to be honest with you. You did me, Chris. Um, because our members Aaron such different array of businesses as private fleets. Um, it's all over the board, aceto how it's effective. So as an example, lob Laws is a member of ours. Well, is extremely busy and is having a hard time keeping up because of the demand. We're seeing that grocery stores, all the restaurants are closed down. Nobody can go out. Therefore, everybody needs more groceries at home. Everybody's eating at home for some reason, everybody needed, you know, massive rolls of toilet paper at home that they couldn't keep them supplied with. But, um, so members like that are actually having a hard time eating up. And then we've got other members who may be work in the auto parts of moving cars or removing parts of that sort. And they've had to lay off 80 to 90% of their workforce and their drugs were burned. So it it all depends what you're doing. And then some of them are kind of seen steady, with slight declines like no mention a home hardware. Okay, so they're allowed to stay open just now. All curbside shopping that takes away your impulse buy. All right, so there's less product being purchased, so there are still open and busy, but they're not. Maybe not quite as busy as they were before. So it's summer Ray upon way up summer kind of saying steady with small drops, and some are completely shuttered with everybody laid off. So it's, uh, it's it's really all over the place. No. Another example Practice air will that they deliver medical gets, well, oxygen to hospitals. They're pretty busy, right? Right, so that's not the only thing. But that's just an example. In blood services, pharmaceutical companies there even visit, so it's it's all over the place.

Safety Dawg:   18:17
I think you just described the whole trucking industry. Really? Depends on what area you're servicing with the your busy the same or devastated. Yeah. Yep. The ads is having an impact, that's for sure. And, uh, it gives me the opportunity to talk to people like you because I'm not building a to a moment, uh, which is fantastic in a lot of ways. Because I've had the opportunity to do some interviews and get to know people like yourself a heck of a lot better. I mean, yeah, I've known you for years, but I don't know you. Yeah, you know what I mean? But talking about pmt, see, what other services do you offer for your members?

Mike Millian:   19:07
Um, yeah. I mean, one thing we do, and then I'll move into some of the stuff we do. But it's another thing I didn't touch on Ladas. We almost act like I tell everybody is Well, we're almost like a I consulted, um, that you have on file that for your yearly fee, you have us on your back and call. Whenever you need us, they pick up the phone. Email is whatever else we're almost like a consultant that you can use for for that yearly fee that you pay and what things People will use this for a lot of examples. I'll give. Let's say they're doing something in their operations. It's either doing logbooks or duty books. Um, use that as an example, and they're not sure if they're legal or if they're breaking the law well, there they want to find out because they want to correct their behavior. But they're a little nervous on the MT. Owe their phone and enforcement officer because they're concerned, as I call them, tell them who I am. Then I'm going to tell you this is what I'm doing and if it is wrong down a lot and umm no, I don't think in most cases the MPL would do that. I think they would help you out so you can fix it. But we understand why there's concern. So they're able to call us with these concerns or email us with these concerns and then were able to reach up to the empty over transport Canada on their behalf without getting their name involved. Finding of the information for have been getting it back to them without them having to worry about anybody knowing who they are. So it's confidential. They come to us, we give them the cracked information or if we don't have reached out to the people that have it, um so that that is a great service that are members use all the time because it helps him do what they want to do. And that's really what we want to do as well as an association. It is an association, all our members. You I know, I know you dio insulting what we're really all over there trying to do. He's trying to make sure everybody is doing the best. They can get the proper information and improve themselves being safest. They can. So I think that's the biggest service that organizations like ours do. Um, consultants like you safety personnel and that's that's the biggest service I believe provide is helping those who actually want to be saying Dr Mona bl and educating those who maybe don't know that they need to do the right thing and educating them as to why they need to be great thinks I think that is the biggest thing that I think we provide

Safety Dawg:   21:32
well. And the other part of it is you are a lobby group in a resource for the government. And I know I think you're being a bit modest there because I know that you help prevent the government from making bad choices by having input on these committees. Um, yeah,

Mike Millian:   21:54
yeah, I would, I would say, at times we do. Yeah. You, uh, anybody who knows me? Um, well, no, I'm blunt What I think, um, respectfully. But I say what I think, and, uh, I think that's a good thing. In the end, if I'm in meetings and on behalf of our members, I think they're going down the wrong pass. I will strongly and forcefully and respectfully tell them that I think they're going down the wrong press. And you can't do this. Um, explain to them why, And I think that's I think associations have to be that you have to as long as you do it right. I To be honest, governments, governments appreciate governments want to hear that governments don't want you to sit in front of them and tell them. Yeah, you're great wonderful people on down the road. You're going if it's all right, governments that the people that are in charge, that the government's or else we're trying to do what they think are right to keep our roads safe. So they want that honest feedback and input. Then, if you feel strongly about something, um, you have to be willing to argue your points because not everybody in the room's been weirdly with you. You put 10 of us in a room to consult on a rule in regulation. You're not likely gonna get all 10 of a steward. Remember, stuff that is really important to you and your members. You have to stand up for and and argue your points and have reasons for those point. So So, yeah, and that's the honest one of the cool things I like about my job. Um, when I was a driver, I was one of those people that read up on rules and regulations and kept myself educated and informed myself, and I always had lost to say, and I always wanted to get in a position. You know, where I could do it is a living and not have my wife telling me to quit telling her What if they go to work and give you, then you don't need to do that here off. Um, but, um, I I am opinionated. And I did want to get in a place at some point time in my life where I any influence, um, on governments to effect change and do things that are better for the industry. So I didn't know I was going to get here. You never know where your past gonna take you. Glad from a young age. I did want to be in a position where I could affect change and get there right place or a time p MTC and our support of our members as, uh, it has afforded me that opportunity.

Safety Dawg:   24:23
I for one, thank you for doing what you do. Because I knew, you know, that you do a great job helping get the government to move in the ways that we as an industry need it. I know you're not successful 100% of the time, but you're batting averages. Damn good. So I don't you Thank

Mike Millian:   24:43
you. Um and you don't want that? Know what? I want to say something to Because there's a lot. There's a lot of misconceptions. We all from the inside, and I know the misconceptions of government people. When I was younger, they were 9 to 5. They punched the clock when they go home, but they don't really care what they're what they're putting into it. To pay Jack and Flats, I have to tell you there's There's lots of people working within the government and they care, and they're not working 9 to 5. The amount of calls and emails I get from government people after hours. Um, early in the morning, they're doing this a mazar estos Are there working hard for the paychecks and ruin it because they care about the people that you work with at the ground level. And I think a lot of people don't realize this. If you've got the Liberals or the PC's in power person at the top, making the final decision may be different. But the people that are actually down there doing the leg work, doing consulting on the rules and regulations with but then take it back and advise the ministers lot there, same thing, a lot of them, and saying it's a liberal or a PC government. The people that are working hands on at the empty, over transport Canada. They're the same people there, but they're invited. They have different bosses that they're advising. But the people you work with, sir are the same, and they care and have boss is the same as we do, and they have the same frustrations and headaches or happy periods that we all do. What? We're trying to get something done. You know, like Kobe in 19. It's hard to bring anything positive out of out of this. But I think one of the positive things covert 19 as broader, um is it's really shown our leaders in our governments in Canada, um, they are really doing the right things. Um, they're working hard. They're making quick decisions. They're proving when they have to, and they can make quick decisions that they are, um, transport Canada right out of the gate. Set up daily conference calls with ourselves and other industry stakeholders. Just do you have conversations and talks about what was going on and us advise them what they needed in us advised the other way around. Um, Caroline Mulroney of the MPO. Is that a call with as she set up other calls like they are there at our They're there for us. They're available to us. I've received phone calls from some of these people that I've just talked about on Sunday nights on Friday nights on Saturday afternoons. Um, they're there in the trenches, doing what they can to help this industry making quick decisions, and they have been great work. So I think the one positive that's come out of it is a, uh, you know, they really built relationships with us all in this industry, and they're working hard Teoh to get the industry what it needs. And in this time, and

Safety Dawg:   27:43
it's a give 11 opinion there that, um, I didn't vote for our leaders, the ones who are leading us now. And I have a strong opinion before Cove it had about their job in their leadership. My opinion has totally changed, both federally and provincially. I'm very, very proud of those people in the job you were doing it. It's been a difficult job, not one that they chose, and they bent one hell of a job getting us through this. I would

Mike Millian:   28:20
agree I generally don't vote for because I have to work with all levels of government. What one? One thing. I will say it to the your point. Chris is before this happened. Look at the relationship between the federal liberals and the PC government in hunting use. That is a perfect example, um, constantly at each other, disagreeing with each other. Since this has started, you cannot get Doug forward to say one negative thing about Justin Trudeau or deputy minister for you under any of them. And media people have tried, and he will just not bustem we think we're doing. And that's the way you need to do. I'm I think it's very important that you have two parties, um, each other bring ideas and, you know, some people will miss some stuff, so you got to keep each other honest. But right now, any argument that goes on needs to be behind the scenes because Canadians need to see the support in the comfort and leadership from their leaders. They don't want to see Paula and they're doing. We're doing that. I'm sure they don't agree on everything. But when the cameras are on their agreeing with each other and they keep the other stuff behind the scenes. We don't have to look too far from our borders to see where that's not, actually

Safety Dawg:   29:40
and what

Mike Millian:   29:41
And we, we that consistency in that leadership, your people are going to react the way you portray. And if you're portraying chaos, there is going to be chaos, and they're doing a very good job getting the message out there and stay calm and stay cool

Safety Dawg:   29:58
so that they the stuff that they've been vote has also worked. I read an article on day. I'll probably get the numbers wrong, but it was. I was shocked to see how many deaths per 1,000,000 the U. S was having, where is having because it? Colvin and I believe it's 12 per 1,000,000. And here in Canada, we were having four per 1,000,000. That's one heck of a difference.

Mike Millian:   30:25
I don't think it's it's that high. I think the number I saw, I think it was 0.1 for um but yeah, it's it's Yeah, he looked at the cases right. We've got 35,000 cases right now. I guess now they're 10 times our population. You times that by 10 right? It's it's and I don't know it's the problem with this stuff, and I don't want to get into criticizing. People are trying to do what they think is best, but there's no playbook for this. No, the only playbook might be the Spanish flu of 1918. Um, yeah, and most governments hit it from everybody in the lead. So I think the only playbook is you can't hide it. You got to get the information out there on. Then you have to try and keep people as part as much as you can until the this figure,

Safety Dawg:   31:25
if I want to start

Mike Millian:   31:27
medical information in there.

Safety Dawg:   31:30
Hip. I think all of our governments were fortunate to be in Canada at this time, but to bring it back to P. M. T. C. I know you have, um, one of the huge benefits of being a member that I'm aware of. And I don't qualify eyes. The young leaders, a group that you have going in the education tell us about that.

Mike Millian:   31:53
Yeah. So the young leaders group, it's led by Matt Richardson by the by the way, who I know you are familiar with. He, uh, Richards and transportations believes the director of the school. Anyway, Matt is our chair of that association. So to be a part of our young leaders group, you have to be under the age of 40. I don't fall by me. Yeah, just 40 Um, and you have to be a member of our association, Um, $25 to become a part of the wild. Gee, if you're already a member, that money is segregated for the wild G to do what they want with they have their own board on. The reason the young leaders was brought together is so we could get the younger generation more involved with our association more involved with her industry, perhaps an appear environment group that they felt more comfortable in having trouble getting them onto the main board and come out toe events. Um, And then when we put the board together, what we want them to do is, you know, we have trouble recruiting young people into this industry. We all know that not this truck terms. We always talk about drivers, but anywhere. Drivers, mechanics, safety personnel. Um, all those fields dispatchers we need help with, um in a young leaders group is a diverse cross section that we've got industry suppliers in there. We've got people that work it fleets. But what you know is okay. You're a young person. You're in this industry. What do you like about what attracted to and how do we need to get out there and attract 17 18 year olds to this industry? So the big reason performing that group was do together. Give us your ideas, get together what you think brainstorm. And then they bring their ideas to us aboard. Look, we want to do this. We want to start attending job fairs. We want to make a video. We want to even educational form we want. So they bring all these ideas to us and then we as a board, look at it, look at the costs as a main board, say yes or no and then we send them back. And I'm not. I don't think we've ever said no, But what we wanted was we wanted them to tell us is what was going on for too long was we've always told them, and this is what a young person needs to do. You need to change to this way and change the map, but it's clearly not working. So what we need to figure out is, how do we need to change? So it works best and maybe both of us melt together in Jane. That's that was the main reason performing. I think it's worked fairly well.

Safety Dawg:   34:37
I've really, really good comments from the participants on it, so I I know it's working Well. Sorry. What were you saying? Uh,

Mike Millian:   34:46
use me. There's one thing I forgot to. We also put a trial membership in about three years ago. So because we had some young people come to us who come to our conference and stuff and said, I'd like to get involved in your association, but my company doesn't want to spend the money to become a full member. But how do I get involved in this young leader? And they said, What about a trial membership where I could join to be a young leaders who paid just the 125 y lg whether my company becoming a party and then I get limited benefits so I don't get full benefits because somebody used paying full price would be little upset. Um, but, you know, I get member only pricing to attend events and all this other stuff. We do it for a year, and then they If I like, I can up my company and say, Well, this is what I've gained out of this association for a year years up 125 box. I want to stay a part of this group, you know, need Oh, it was a great idea was brought to us, um, somebody by background it to us at the time. So we used it. We got about eat nine people toe to join his trial members that way in, like, a year and five of them a proper companies to join. And I think that's what. So, really, they want to come in and be part of it. You're giving them a discounted be 420. Then they're selling the organization to the company, not you. So, like it worked out good for both?

Safety Dawg:   36:14
Um, I didn't know that was even available. Thank you.

Mike Millian:   36:19
It's not something that, uh, we don't market it heavy. It's just kind of done through word of most. So when somebody comes out there interested in it, that's that's what we'll tell them. And maybe that's something we should change. Maybe we should market or heavily, but, um, but it's actually in Mass. Done a good job. Two. And our young leaders is growing quite a quite a bit over the years driven. He asked me about that as well. Um, driven. The lead is a four part educational program that is for everybody. So it's topped by eagles for it's an experiential ah, hands on leadership course. I attended two of the four chords just last year, and Jeremy from eagles like, does an amazing job. Teaching gets really, really gets people engaged and working together. You know, you're not sitting there for eight hours with the men aboard. You're actually groups. It's about team building and leadership skills here. We promise, um, his young leader group came to us. It was one thing they were missing. So we've got all that other stuff. We really don't have a a sort of certificate educational experience that we can use that we can then apply in our jobs, and it's industry related. It's a leadership bores. So they thought it would be good for the young leaders that help them learn to become better leaders. So the first year we a lot of young leaders in it, 22 people total this year, 17 in it. There's a more diverse crowd. We've got young leaders. What we've also really here is not really think that's the way it should be. Um, because I said when I attended the course, this would be a great course for the young person coming, weren't supervisor and the supervisor for both attend the course, get to know each other better, and let your guard down and, uh, and learn how to work together. So it's we're halfway through the second program. So where 1st 1 was last year, Uh, four courses were two in March 2 in April. Ah, sorry. We were supposed to run to enable we've now had pushed back to May 20th 21st. Now we're monitoring Cove in 19 obviously, and, uh, you know, probably within the next couple weeks, we'll make a decision as to ah, whether we can still run that in the 20th or 21st of May, or whether we're gonna have to push it back in June or July.

Safety Dawg:   38:47
No, um, speaking of just cove it and you just reminded me. I got invited to the fall PMT See Golf tournament yesterday. So I'm hoping that were back to normal by the fall. But the spring golf tournament is it still proceeding?

Mike Millian:   39:06
Okay, got cancer, Which is which is why you ah, will now be getting an invite to the fallen. Normally, up until about three weeks ago, you probably were getting invites to the spring wind. Um, is it was supposed to be the 28th. May, um, we decided, just not await your way. The economy is, um, orders around the city of Toronto did not have have mass events, even if we could have legally done. And I don't think it would have been a very responsible thing to do to try and have a Gulf turnover of the 28th day of the way things are, Um, And to move it into the summer, our child was You know what? We already have one scheduled for September. Uh, Ford's decision was You know, instead of moving this into July, I think we're better just cancel to move it into the fall. And, uh, I was right decision to do it. People are really thinking about going out in golfing at an industry event right now in the blood is in the mind.

Safety Dawg:   40:03
Yeah, no, I But as you say, I was invited because, um, one of your members that I golfed with last year that event in guided the same foursome back. And we all said yes, because it's a great event. Do you remember when the dates are?

Mike Millian:   40:19
Ah, the fallen is going to be September 29th. I think I don't have

Safety Dawg:   40:27
the Sorry to put you on the spot there, but, uh, let me see. Because, as I said, I put it in my calendar. Now, um, it was Yes, the 29th.

Mike Millian:   40:42
Hey, Good. I guess that would, right?

Safety Dawg:   40:44
Yeah, it is the 20th. Because I'm looking forward to it. Shake off this covitz stuff and get out with some people and have some fun again.

Mike Millian:   40:53
Yeah, hopefully by then we'll be able to do that. It's gonna be it. Glenn, Karen and melting screwed course. We had it there last fall, so hopefully we can We can do it again. Um, as you're probably aware, we had to move our conference. A swell prince was supposed to be June 10th to the 12th in Niagara Falls, and we just couldn't wait any longer a kid. I think it's pretty obvious that I think by then we may see may see things starting to open up a little bit. But I don't believe they're gonna be opening it up and recommending 250 people get together in June. Um uh, and to wait any longer, I think would have been a mistake. So our board voted on that as well in seventh of April, and it's now being moved 2 September eighth to 10th which is Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday, right after Labor Day. Um, in Niagara Falls again, different hotel just does. The dates weren't available. Moller Sponsor had signed up, have been given the option of either moving to the new date with it or if they do not date. We're offering them all offering them awful refunds. Even if they paid just because of the times and the day changed, that might not be on the fifth. Same with people that have registered s so far. We head 56 sponsors already who for our our event, um, 36 people had committed to having boost so far, we heard back from 15 of our sponsors, and they have all committed to coming with us and the the rest we have heard back from what we just said, that communication of, uh, weaken a bit ago. Um, I'm gonna guess a lot of people haven't been able to read the emails yet or talk to people that they need to talk to her, figure what schedules are going to be. But on most of the people that register to tender still were also opening it up for new registrations. New attendees, Um, you sponsorships. We've only got about n boo spots left. So we're open will be able to fill those, um and, you know, if event get ends up getting canceled because we still aren't clear this in September, which I hope we are. And you know my hope. Summer's over. We get through it, we're clear of this. And what a great way to kick off the fall would be in the unofficial start to the next year. Let's get everybody dio together in our conference with whatever moved social new Normal is whatever our new guidelines are going to be, uh, get together celebrate what this industry has been able to come through because I do believe will come through over Leaf. This industry is resilient. It will come through. Um, would be great to get together in the fall, celebrate us surpassing the worst of covert 19 and start to reopen our economy and get together and celebrate with their in educators ourselves at the same time.

Safety Dawg:   43:52
Um, I assume that I can put the links to those two events in the show notes below. You sure did. That would be, uh, they will be in the show. Notes to the listeners is just click on the links and you can goto either the golf tournament or the annual conference. I appreciate that. And sponsors, you're so you're still looking for some sponsors for the annual conference

Mike Millian:   44:17
of that room. Last year we sold 02 sponsors, but we got a bit bigger venue this year. Last year we had 40 exhibitors and 60 sponsors, and we sold out well before the event. Um, they said this year we're sitting at 56 sponsors and 36 exhibitors. Um, I believe we've got room for 45 so we've got spots left for about nine people. That wonder display display boost if they're they're interested.

Safety Dawg:   44:44
Great. Anything else that you want, Teoh impart or say before we call us Thean end? Um,

Mike Millian:   44:52
no, I just think I want to say in general what touched on before. You know where you are? No, Our thoughts are with everybody is we try to get through these unprecedented times. Um, we're all, I think, more than ever. We're all sold during on day by day. We can't really plan a lot beyond that. Um, no, I said things change minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day right now. And, uh, soldier on one foot in front of the other, and then we're all in. We're all in this together, as they say and, uh, reach back to us. I think one of the biggest things that that we've been able to do for our members through this, um, on tax with with the government's is constantly get them information over there to help them get through what they're getting through. And our members, air reaching backed us and helping us get through what we need to get through. So where were all working together, and I see no need to keep our heads up, Keep going strong. And, uh, welcome out the other side of this and will be will be better for it. And one thing you know, I won. I mentioned before something good comes out of everything. Um, you truly believe that there's lots of negatives where we got a look at the positives to I think the one good thing that has come out of this is we in this industry have known our entire lives how important drivers are and how important the transportation industry is. And as somebody who used to be a driver, we always fought for that respect. Um, everybody knows how important drivers are Now, every conference you hear from true notes and dubbed Ford to so through the border Trump in his speeches every politician that every federal and provincial level almost at every press conference, thanks to drunk drivers for what to do and thanks them for what they're going through. Um, they should get Sean a light on drivers being denied access to restrooms and facilities because of Kobe, 19 governments have worked together to try and ensure they get that access parking. These have been issues long before Kobe, but now they're at the front, and I think it's getting the attention. Hopefully, after Kobe is over, it will remain to get the attention. They will be given better access to chippers, receivers and then rest areas and everything else. But it shone a light on everybody as to how important the truck driver is. And I think it's changed public's perception of a driver in the politicians perception of the driver. When this is over, this might be the best recruiting opportunity this industry's ever see. When I I was a kid growing up, I respect the drug drivers. I wanted to be a lot of truck drivers that here was a highway that's kind of gone away from the younger people were not even sought of it. Everybody was the university and wants to become office. Nobody wants to skilled trades, right? This may now put this in. Her kids hit from a younger age and their parents hit. When this is over, we, as an industry have to take advantage. We have to build off of what we had. This might be the best we're not. We gotta use this moment. Um, and we have to make sure we keep our drivers in front of the in front of the public when this is over and continue to show the lightest how important these men and women are and the no. And then how, how it's it's perceived going for. So I I want to thank all our drivers for everything that they've done and what they're going to continue to do to put their lives on the line. They have my respect from everybody else's respect. Um, and it's time that they got its well earned respect, and this is really giving them the respect they deserve. It's terrible way to get it. I wish we didn't have Teoh get the respect this way, but that's I'm positive we can take out of that. And, uh, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for what? They're for weather.

Safety Dawg:   48:59
I totally agree. Thanks so much, Mike, for coming on the show.

Mike Millian:   49:05
Thanks. Thanks for having me.

Safety Dawg:   49:07
I hope you love the show as much as I did. Please leave us a like a thumbs up. A review, a comment, a rating if it is so much. And I do really appreciate and join us again next week for another exciting interest