THE threat of renewed strikes by truckers looms over the San Pedro Bay ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach over a lack of progress in having them recognised as employees rather than independent contractors.
The drayage drivers agreed to take down their picket lines in July because the city promised to look into their claims, that hold that their rental of rigs from trucking companies does not make them independent contractors, much less "owner operators" as often described.
Speaking at a meeting of the Port of Los Angeles Harbour Commissioners last week, a driver for Total Transportation Services Inc, Jackeline Aguirre, said drivers were weighing strike action because nothing had been done.
Pacific 9 Transportation driver Julio Cervantes said the drivers sometimes make less than the minimum wage and "something has to change," reported American Shipper.
He claimed that recently trucking companies "have been making our lives difficult, they start charging us for truck repairs from three years ago".
He said sometimes charges to drivers are so large they get "negative paycheques."
"I don't know why it is taking so long to prove they are evading labour, employment and tax laws," said Mr Cervantes.
"Since everyone - the IRS, US Department of Labour, the National Labour Relations Board, California Labour Commissioner, California Economic Development and even now the federal judges - have figured it out."
He asked, rhetorically addressing the mayor: "If you keep not doing anything you are helping the companies to exploit us. Please help us!"
Spokeswoman for the Teamster-affiliated Justice for Port Truck Drivers, Barb Maynard, said a decision about the timing of a renewed strike for drivers in the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach is still under consideration.
Last month, in a case brought by the National Labour Relations Board, a US District Court judge ordered the two drivers employed by Green Fleet Systems reinstated to positions they had before they were fired.
The judge also granted a temporary injunction ordering the company to cease and desist from engaging in unlawful acts, such as threatening employees with job loss or other types of reprisals if they engaged in union activities.
On October 30, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals refused a request by Green Fleet to stay that action. The Teamsters has called the case a "landmark victory."
PORTS
13 November 2014 - 23:29
Threat of 'indy' truckers strike looms larger at ports of LA-Long Beach
THE threat of renewed strikes by truckers looms over the San Pedro Bay ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach over a lack of progress in having them recognised as employees rather than independent contractors.
PORTS
13 November 2014 - 23:29
Threat of 'indy' truckers strike looms larger at ports of LA-Long Beach
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