LA Port strike spreads to rail yard

LA Port strike spreads to rail yard
Date: Nov 18, 2014 5:30 AM
Justice for Port Truck Drivers

PRESS ADVISORY: Tuesday, November 18, 2014

PRESS CONTACT: Barb Maynard

(323) 351-9321; barb@mcsonline.org

www.JusticeforPortDrivers.org

6:30 AM PST press conference at Union Pacific Rail Yard

Truck driver strike spreads to intermodal rail yards from the docks, creating logistical nightmare before Black Friday

Commerce, CA – Early Tuesday morning, the port truck driver strike spread from the Ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach to intermodal rail yards that are serviced by Pacer Cartage and Harbor Rail Transport (HRT). These rail yards dispatch cargo to and from warehouses and distribution centers across America. Drivers intend to follow trucks from Pacer and HRT to customer locations, including the rail yards, and picket the trucks while they are working at those locations.

Like drivers at QTS Inc., LACA Express, and WinWin Logistics that went on strike Monday, drivers at Pacer and HRT are striking to end misclassification as “independent contractors,” a scam that has led to massive wage theft and denied drivers basic workplace protections such as safety and health regulations, disability insurance, workers compensation, and unemployment insurance

“We are sick of being trampled upon and mistreated,” said Humberto Canales, a misclassified “independent contractor” from Pacer Cartage. “We are joining the fight and coming out of the shadows to demand our rights as company employees to provide a better future for our families.”

“Now is the time to end this misclassification scheme and provide a better future for our families. These companies have gotten away with this scam for too long. It’s time to make a change,” said Alfredo Reyes of Harbor Rail Transportation.

What: Press conference with truck drivers from Pacer Cartage and Harbor Rail Transport.

Who: Striking port truck drivers from Pacer Cartage and Harbor Rail Transport.

Where: Union Pacific Railroad Truck Processing Entrance. 4341 East Washington Blvd, Commerce CA. Location is at the intersection of Indiana and Washington Blvd.

When: Tuesday, November 18, 2014; 6:30 AM PST