Striking Port Truckers Return to Jobs

By Mark Edward Nero

About 120 truck drivers who had been picketing the dual ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles in protest of alleged unfair labor practices were back on the job as of July 14.

The drivers picketed from July 7 to 11 as part of a protest against three trucking companies, Rancho Dominguez-based Green Fleet Systems and Total Transportation Services Inc., and Carson-based Pacific 9 Transportation. The drivers’ demands included being designated as employees, rather than independent contractors, wage increases and the ability to unionize.

The Long Beach-based group that organized the strike is known as Justice for Port Truck Drivers, but the Harbor Trucking Association, which represents trucking companies near the ports, has blamed the labor unrest on the Teamsters, which has been trying for years to gain employee status for the drivers so they’d then be eligible to join the union.

Last week’s truckers’ strike was the fourth time in about a year that the drivers picketed the ports. However, unlike the previous labor actions, which were scheduled to run a finite amount of time – usually 24 to 48 hours – the latest labor action was planned to be indefinite, with drivers saying they had no plans to return unless their demands were met.

The end came when Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti convinced the labor action’s organizers to agree to a temporarily halt the strike for a time while the drivers’ complaints are investigated.

“Following the city’s meetings with both sides, the Teamsters have agreed to pull down their pickets and enter a cooling off period to allow the Harbor Commission time to investigate the serious allegations regarding worker safety, poor working conditions and unfair labor practices,” Garcetti said. “The city will facilitate a dialog among the parties in the weeks ahead.”

The strike’s organizers said in a statement that the three trucking companies have agreed to accept all truckers back to work “without retaliation and without being forced to sign away all future rights in new truck leases.” Drivers will also return to work on their regular shifts, according to the statement.

“While the drivers wanted to continue the strike, they agreed to a cooling off period because Mayor Garcetti personally committed to them that he will thoroughly investigate the serious injustices the drivers presented and take strong action,” Teamsters Vice President and Port Division Director Fred Potter said.

POLA Executive Director Stepping Down

Just days after another high-ranking Port of Los Angeles executive announced his resignation, POLA Executive Director Geraldine Knatz says she’s stepping down at year’s end.

“After 42 years of dedicated service to the maritime industry here in San Pedro Bay, I have decided to retire as Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles and pursue other interests,” Knatz said in a statement released Oct. 3 by the office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “In a commitment to a smooth transition, I plan to remain in my position through the end of the year and support the mayor and the port in any way that I can. I am proud of the many accomplishments that our team made at the Port of Los Angeles during my tenure.”

Knatz, who was appointed executive director in 2006 by former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, will probably be best remembered for playing an instrumental role in the creation and implementation of the San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan, which reduced port-related sulfur oxide, diesel particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emission levels by 76 percent, 71 percent and 51 percent, respectively, between 2005 and 2011.

During her tenure, she also paved the way for the Los Angeles Harbor Commission to approve three major container terminal expansion projects and a new deep-draft marine oil terminal on Pier 400.

Knatz, who began her maritime career as an environmental scientist at the Port of Los Angeles in 1977, was managing director of the neighboring Port of Long Beach from 1999 to 2005 before returning to the Port of LA.

“I thank Dr. Knatz for her service to Los Angeles,” Garcetti said. “My agenda for the port is focused on maximizing its economic impact and minimizing its environmental impact to build stronger neighborhoods in the Harbor area and across Los Angeles.”

According to the mayor’s office, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore will serve as acting general manager of the city’s Harbor Department until a permanent general manager is appointed, and Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub will serve as the Interim Chief City Engineer.

The news of Knatz’ departure came just three days after Deputy Operations Director John Holmes announced he was stepping down. Holmes, who joined the port in December 2006, is a retired Coast Guard captain. At the port, he was in charge of overseeing the operations of the Los Angeles Port Police, the Homeland Security Division, emergency preparedness planning and the Port Pilot service.

Garcetti, a former City Councilman who was elected mayor in May, said in an interview with a local CBS affiliate, that the management changes at the port were due to his wanting to pick his own leadership for various positions.

“I’m looking to start a new chapter. By mutual agreement, we’re moving on with leadership here,” he told KCBS-TV.

The adjoining Port of Long Beach is also looking for new leadership- its executive director, Chris Lytle, stepped down in July to accept to same job at the Port of Oakland. Al Moro, Long Beach’s chief harbor engineer, is serving as interim executive director while the port conducts a search for a new leader.