Around 100 truck drivers and warehouse workers serving the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports started picketing on Monday, June 19, 2017. The call to action is the misclassification of drayage truck drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, thereby excluding them of higher pay, workplace protections, disability insurance, workers’ compensation, and unemployment benefits.
In addition to the labor misclassification, the Teamsters union cited a recently signed environmental pact, which directs the nation’s largest port complex to reduce air pollution by moving toward zero-emission trucks and yard equipment, for neglecting to mention the impact on the truck drivers.
The walkout in Los Angeles-Long Beach, which could last through the week, is the 15th protest stemming from a labor dispute that spans nearly 4 years. The Teamsters-supported movement has been pushing for years to improve pay and workplace protections.
According to Eric Tate, secretary-treasurer for the Teamsters union Local 848, the drivers and warehouse workers will picket XPO Logistics terminals on Monday, and intend to expand their picket lines to Intermodal Bridge Transport and California Cartage Co. on Tuesday.
Deringer will continue to monitor and report on the protest and labor dispute. Please direct any questions to Deringer’s Marketing Department.
