Dockside labor must get on board with California’s proposed transport overhaul

The Teamster’s Port Division, and its affiliate – Justice for Port Drivers – have called upon the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement to rule on whether drayage workers are “misclassified” as independent operators. Meanwhile, the Pacific 9 Transportation Company has been shut down at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach today in a “stop work” action.

This is just what the state doesn’t need. But perhaps this issue and other labor-related problems can be addressed in a larger context soon.

Because California is the largest gateway for international trade and domestic commerce in the nation, it should come as small surprise that it is now taking the lead in forging a comprehensive strategic transportation policy.

Late last week Governor Jerry Brown issued Executive Order B-32-15, designed to make significant investments in freight infrastructure necessary to ensure the continued economic competitiveness of our state.

Chief among those transport stakeholders endorsing California’s new strategic freight directives is the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association – whose principal business of is to negotiate and administer maritime labor agreements with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU).

The Governor’s mandate requires the state to develop an integrated action plan by June 2016 that will increase the competitiveness of California’s freight system while reducing its environmental impacts

“This Executive Order recognizes the competitive pressures faced by California ports and directs the creation of a balanced plan which will ensure that ports have an opportunity to grow while also taking the next steps in our already successful environmental improvement programs,” observes PMSA John McLaurin.

He also notes that additional cargo through California ports is good not only for the economy but for the environment, as California ports are leading the way in air quality improvement investments. 

“Today’s executive order is a good first step towards ensuring that California’s efforts to reduce emissions are sustainable both environmentally and economically,” says McLaurin.

While organized labor has yet to weigh in on the plan, leaders should recognize that California’s complex freight transportation system is responsible for one-third of the state’s economy and jobs, with freight-dependent industries accounting for over $700 billion in revenue and over 5 million jobs.

Furthermore, California’s vast transportation system connects 38 million residents and supports a vibrant economy with $2.2 trillion in annual gross domestic product.

As longshore and trucker disruptions continue to plague Southern California ports, now is the time to focus on areas of agreement and move ahead with the transport overhaul.