Drivers and warehouse workers from two major companies at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach went on strike this week to protest their classification as independent contractors.
According to Teamster union, the workers are planning to carry out a series of escalating strikes and actions to “build worker power and expose an industry built on exploitation, wage theft and discrimination”.
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The strike, which took place on Monday (1 October), is the workers’ 16th in five years, and is said to be the largest one yet. The strike involves drivers and warehouse workers for NFI Industries and drivers for XPO Logistics. It is not clear how many workers went on strike, but Teamsters claims XPO has 280 drivers working at the LA and Long Beach ports, and NFI has 600 drivers and 500 warehouse workers.
The workers say they are misclassified by their companies as independent contractors in a scheme that reportedly deprives them of benefits and job protections while increasing their overhead costs by forcing them to lease their trucks from the companies for which they drive.
Last week, US retailers were told they will soon be held jointly liable if they hire port trucking companies that break California state labour rules under new legislation.
The move follows an investigation by USA Today that found labour abuses at dozens of trucking companies operating out of Los Angeles and Long Beach – the country’s two largest ports, through which more than 40% of US shipping-container traffic flows.
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By GlobalDataThe investigation found that “port trucking companies in Southern California have spent the past decade forcing drivers to finance their own trucks by taking on debt they could not afford”. There were instances where drivers “end up owing money to their employers – essentially working for free”.
The strike saw picketing at company facilities, marine terminals, rail yards, customer warehouse and distribution centres, as well as leafleting at customers’ retail outlets.
Actions are also planned by XPO workers in the San Diego area. The strike line region spans 200 miles from Boron to Otay Mesa, according to Teamster.
“Port drivers are exercising their rights as employees by engaging in collective action in the courts, in their truck yards, and at the ports,” the union said. “They are demanding justice and respect for their rights as workers. To date, the California Labor Commissioner has ordered companies to pay more than $48 million in back pay to drivers. However, port drivers still face exploitation at the ports, and with the help of the Teamsters Union, will not stop until they are treated with justice, respect and dignity.”
A spokesperson for the port of Los Angeles told just-style the activity had minimal effect on port operations this week. “Cargo flowed in and out of the port normally. There are more than 10,000 truckers who operate at the port, and only a small number were involved this week. Port operations were not effected.
“The Teamsters were focused on a couple trucking companies that they have concerns about. I’m not familiar with any agreement but again, the Port of Los Angeles ran efficiently and without disruption during the activity. As I understand it, the activity ended on Wednesday.”
The Port of Long Beach did not return a request for comment at the time of going to press.
