WHEREAS, port drivers are a key component of the global supply chain and transportation industry, and the drivers were overwhelmingly Teamsters before de- regulation; and

WHEREAS, the two-pronged strategy of strikes and lawsuits is crumbling the foundation of the misclassified “independent contractor” model and has led to breakthroughs at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California; and

WHEREAS, this progress has led to organizing and negotiating collective bargaining agreements that cover more than 500 drivers at drayage firms including at Eco Flow Transportation, Toll Group and Shippers Transport Express into the Teamsters; and

WHEREAS, this union is committed to continuing this fight for the long term, ramping up pressure to attack wage theft and illegal misclassification.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED at this 29th International Convention that the Teamsters will fight to continue raising standards in the port trucking industry by committing to organize all the companies in a market, starting at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Teamsters will continue supporting port drivers, to achieve justice through a two-pronged strategy of strikes and litigation to force every port trucking company to stop breaking the law by stealing drivers’ rights and wages that gets companies to agree to be neutral regarding drivers’  rights to organize and join the Teamsters; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the union will continue to seek a declaration from the mayors of Los Angeles and Long Beach that there is a need for “labor peace” at the ports; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that the Teamsters recognize that victory in this campaign could be completely game changing over the long haul, in effect establishing new regulations for the trucking industry and strengthening the Teamsters position in freight and drayage nationwide.