On October 17, 1984, I embarked on a career that would span my lifetime and with the same company. I’ve witnessed Campbell Moving grow into the largest family-owned moving company in Canada and an anchor member of United Van Lines Canada. Over the years, the industry has evolved dramatically.

What was once an honored profession for owner-operators has now become a struggle for many, with drivers waiting for months to get return loads, questioning whether they can even survive in this vocation. In today’s landscape, cash flow is no longer just important—it’s critical.

The Changing Landscape of Payments

In the past, we could charge interest on overdue accounts, just like the banks do. Now, the only ones ensuring they get paid on time are the banks themselves. That reality makes timely payments from industry partners more important than ever. It’s time we all recognize a simple truth: Credit is a privilege, not a right.

Every company has the authority to set its own payment terms and should never feel pressured into accepting conditions that put their business at risk. For example, I’ve been working with one company for over 20 years, and they still require prepayment, and I respect that policy. Why shouldn’t we all have the same right to enforce terms that protect our businesses?

The True Cost of Late Payments

Let’s be honest—being a FIDI or IAM member does not guarantee on-time payments. We’ve all encountered companies that claim they’ll pay in 60 days but still leave you fighting for your money six months later. That’s not just disrespectful—it’s bad business. In reality, these companies are treating your receivables as an interest-free loan and all at your expense. Why should anyone be permitted to operate this way? Until we, as an industry, say no and refuse to accept these practices, they will continue.

• Now, imagine waiting a year to be paid. How are you supposed to pay your staff?

• How do you cover operational costs?

• How much time and money do you waste chasing overdue invoices?

These delays snowball into larger financial risks, and if we don’t take back control, some of us won’t survive.

A Solution is Here, But It Requires Action

IAM is taking a stand. The IAM Issue Resolution System exposes bad actors and hold them accountable. But these programs can only succeed if we all do our part by:

• Reporting companies that delay payments immediately when invoices cross the due date.

• Using IAM’s Receivable Protection Program (RPP) to safeguard your business.

• Leveraging IAMX to vet partners and avoid payment risks before they happen.

New this year, IAM has introduced a category in the RPP Operating Rules and Regulations for “Repeat Violators”. Under this rule, any member company that is reported for unpaid debts, operational disputes, or ethics violations five or more times by five or more different IAM members within three months will be listed as a Repeat Violator in the IAM Alerts System, with a caution to members against extending credit to listed companies.

We can rebuild integrity in this industry, but it starts with us. If we hold each other accountable and demand respect in business transactions, we can create a stronger, more sustainable future.