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LA/LB port drivers go on strike over misclassification issue
IRATE truck drivers servicing the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach - the largest port complex in the United States - have begun a new "unfair labour practice" strike last week over the issue of being "misclassified" as independent contractors.
The truck driver at the Chinese-owned port trucking company Intermodal Bridge Transport (IBT) filed a petition to be recognised as employees and to be represented by the Teamsters.
With the backing of the Teamsters Union, the drivers from carriers including XPO Logistics and Pacific 9 Transportation have accused their carriers of wage theft as a result of being misclassified as independent contractors instead of as full employees.
The strikers say the misclassification robs workers of certain employee rights such as health insurance, unemployment compensation, workers compensation and the right to form unions and collectively bargain things like wages, according to media reports.
Teamsters' general president Jim Hoffa encouraged the striking drivers, telling them that they "have the support of 1.4 million Teamster members." The Teamsters also rallied support for warehouse workers from Cal Cartage who intended to strike on October 28.
"Wage theft isn't just about misclassification," said Fred Potter, Teamsters vice president. "It's about workers who are supposed be paid a living wage - and they're not. And that is happening right here on port property."
The Harbour Trucking Association (HTA), which represents the interests of trucking companies that service the ports, says it would like to see the demonstrations moved away from the port complex. The strikers, which started protesting at the truck yards of the individual trucking companies involved, threatened to move to the port if demands are not met.
"When they start to have demonstrations at the terminals it impacts the wider community," said Weston LaBar, executive director of HTA. "When you engage in activities at somebody's yard or facility it's isolated and it's not as widespread a problem."
He also felt that the Teamsters were setting a bad precedent by targeting certain companies and holding demonstrations at the complex when there wasn't enough police presence available to prevent it from disrupting normal activities. In some cases it could prevent other companies that aren't being targetted from conducting business at the terminals.
The truck drivers at the twin ports of LA and LB haul cargo for all types of businesses including Amazon, Costco, and Proctor & Gable.
Nearly one-half a trillion dollars in goods annually flow through these ports - more than 40 per cent of US imports and exports - yet the men and women who haul these containers on and off the docks to nearby rail yards, distribution centres, and warehouses are denied employee rights. By striking and filing unfair labour practice charges port drivers are fighting back," a statement said.
The truck driver at the Chinese-owned port trucking company Intermodal Bridge Transport (IBT) filed a petition to be recognised as employees and to be represented by the Teamsters.
With the backing of the Teamsters Union, the drivers from carriers including XPO Logistics and Pacific 9 Transportation have accused their carriers of wage theft as a result of being misclassified as independent contractors instead of as full employees.
The strikers say the misclassification robs workers of certain employee rights such as health insurance, unemployment compensation, workers compensation and the right to form unions and collectively bargain things like wages, according to media reports.
Teamsters' general president Jim Hoffa encouraged the striking drivers, telling them that they "have the support of 1.4 million Teamster members." The Teamsters also rallied support for warehouse workers from Cal Cartage who intended to strike on October 28.
"Wage theft isn't just about misclassification," said Fred Potter, Teamsters vice president. "It's about workers who are supposed be paid a living wage - and they're not. And that is happening right here on port property."
The Harbour Trucking Association (HTA), which represents the interests of trucking companies that service the ports, says it would like to see the demonstrations moved away from the port complex. The strikers, which started protesting at the truck yards of the individual trucking companies involved, threatened to move to the port if demands are not met.
"When they start to have demonstrations at the terminals it impacts the wider community," said Weston LaBar, executive director of HTA. "When you engage in activities at somebody's yard or facility it's isolated and it's not as widespread a problem."
He also felt that the Teamsters were setting a bad precedent by targeting certain companies and holding demonstrations at the complex when there wasn't enough police presence available to prevent it from disrupting normal activities. In some cases it could prevent other companies that aren't being targetted from conducting business at the terminals.
The truck drivers at the twin ports of LA and LB haul cargo for all types of businesses including Amazon, Costco, and Proctor & Gable.
Nearly one-half a trillion dollars in goods annually flow through these ports - more than 40 per cent of US imports and exports - yet the men and women who haul these containers on and off the docks to nearby rail yards, distribution centres, and warehouses are denied employee rights. By striking and filing unfair labour practice charges port drivers are fighting back," a statement said.
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