A port truck driver strike at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach grew Monday, as protest organizers targeted three more companies that they accuse of wage theft.þþDrivers from QTS Inc., LACA Express and WinWin Logistics Inc. joined an ongoing strike Monday morning, said Barb Maynard, a spokeswoman for the Teamsters Union, which is backing the drivers.þþShe said she did not know how many drivers walked off the job. þþAs in prior job actions against other firms, drivers say they are improperly classified as independent contractors, leaving them with fewer workplace protections and lower pay than if they were company employees.þþThe newly targeted companies could not immediately be reached for comment.þþThe expanded strike comes as tension at the nation’s busiest port complex is high. A powerful dockworkers union and multinational shipping lines are negotiating a new contract for about 20,000 workers on the West Coast. þþDockworkers have been without a contract since July and management and the union have lobbed public accusations at each other. The barbs have sparked concerns that a lockout or strike could close ports up and down the West Coast.þþIf truckers set up picket lines at port terminals, it’s unclear if dockworkers will walk off in solidarity.þþOn Thursday, truck drivers from two other companies-- Total Transportation Services Inc. and Pacific 9 Transportation – walked off the job and set up picket lines at company yards, organizers said.þþThose drivers are still on strike. However, on Friday, they agreed not to picket Total Transportation and Pacific 9 as talks between the two sides are underway--a truce brokered by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Source: Los Angeles Times
