Truck drivers strike at west coast ports

Unionized truck drivers serving California ports went on strike today, potentially throwing the ports into another lengthy slow-down similar to one that crippled railroads and shipping earlier this year.

About 500 drivers serving the four major drayage firms at the twin ports of Los Angeles-Long Beach and San Diego picketed company yards. A primary complaint is their classification as independent contractors rather than employees.

The strike comes as rail carriers have begun to report recovery of volumes that flow from the ports.

"Primary picket lines are now up at company yards in the greater Los Angeles area and in San Diego, and truckers and their supporters are picketing company trucks at marine terminals, rail yards and customer warehouses as far away as the US-Mexico border," the Teamsters union said.

Striking drivers are targeting Intermodal Bridge Transport, Pacific 9 Transportation, Pacer Cartage and Harbor Rail Transport. They are demonstrating at rail yards, marine terminals at the port of Los Angeles-Long Beach, and customer warehouses as far south as the US-Mexico border.

The port of Los Angeles-Long Beach is the largest port complex in the US, handling more than 15mn containers/year.

A previous dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the port terminal operators resulted in a 3 April tentative labor agreement. Union members will vote on the agreement on 22 May.

Congestion across ports in California, Washington and Oregon occurred throughout last year and became acute in early 2015 as the labor dispute reached a head. Los Angeles and Long Beach were the most affected.

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