Nation's Ports Brace for a Strike by Truckers Unhappy With Wages

[CShine]

Officials at the nation's ports are bracing for a threatened strike by truckers upset over high costs, low wages and laws that prohibit them from unionizing. Independent truckers, who get paid for each container they haul, have called for a strike to begin Monday that could slow down the movement of cargo at ports. Truckers are upset over rising costs and low wages. But they also want to be able to form unions and collectively bargain for better contracts from shipping and trucking companies that hire them out.

"The issues are the same all over the country: It has to do with low rates for the drivers and higher fuel prices and the inability to get more money from shipping lines and trucking companies for the amount of work they do," David Wagner, the chief operating officer of the Port of New Orleans, said Sunday.

Owner-operators of trucks are considered independent business people and are forbidden by federal anti-trust laws from negotiating together and each must talk independently with employers.

"The carriers are taking advantage of the independent operators due to their lack of representation and due to their lack of recourse," said Robert Fezekas, a trucker and lobbyist.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB3KQ8I0WD.html

[cap]

1. well there goes our chinese made stuff

sitting on the edge of the dock watching the tide go away. sitting on the edge of the dock wasting time (and time is money)

[beyurslf]

2. I didn't realize they can't unionize. What is the rationale behind this?

Because they are independent contractors they can't collective bargain? HOw is this against anti-trust laws I guess I am asking.

[CShine]

4. They're considered to be owners of their own businesses.

In the trucking world, owner-operators are independent contractors who are self-employed. Under the law, you can't be a business owner and a union member too.

[central scrutinizer]

3. Bring on the Mexican truckers!

See how omniscient our God-anointed president is? By allowing Mexican trucks free access to the US, we can all be sure that the Red Chinese Outlet Mall (sometimes called Walmart) will be fully stocked.

[Ernesto]

5. "Unions are a detriment to the economy"

A quote from the chimp

[okieinpain]

6. shouldn't someone tell them that their income has risen by 6%,

that consumer spending is at a two year high, and that iraq is now a free country. geez, what a bunch of wild-eyed liberals.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x651323