From Patricia Castellanos, Chair, CCSP

With the latest plunge in U.S. employment, expect to hear port officials touting the potential for green growth initiatives to create new jobs. Pay particular attention to whether or not they talk about creating good jobs though, because port economics are directly linked to the success or failure of major components of the Clean Air Action Plan.

Take a recent Port of Los Angeles press release boasting about the number of port-related regional jobs. Said POLA Executive Director Dr. Geraldine Knatz:

"This study shows the magnitude of jobs and economic value connected to our operations. It's a strong reminder of the vital roles port operations and the goods movement industries play in our Southern California economy, and it's impetus for the green-growth strategy that we are forging in order to reduce port emissions and continue to develop our operations to create more regional jobs in the decades ahead."

That would have been a great quote if it actually referred to the quality of jobs - not quantity - because it's risky business to ignore the true economic impact of jobs directly linked to port operations. The report claims some 43,400 workers fall in this category, and we already know that 16,800 truck drivers haul cargo in and out of the twin ports. The majority of these truckers are "independent contractors" who take home around $29,000 a year after paying an overwhelming $25,000 out of pocket for diesel fuel alone.

That means a significant chunk of one of the most vital workforces in the global supply chain are living in poverty, and can barely afford to shop at some of the big-box retailers they haul goods for. (Hmmm, maybe those giant shippers should be paying into the system instead of the drivers, no?)

Low-road, no-benefit jobs harm the regional economy and have contributed to the current public health and environmental crises in the San Pedro Bay. The LA and Long Beach Harbor Commissions now have a historic opportunity to dramatically reduce diesel truck emissions by 80 percent. But first they will need to grab hold of the status quo and stand that broken economic model on its head.

Labor, community activists and environmentalists who have often been at odds with one another agree: It's the only way for the Ports to truly grow green, and in the bargain inject $360 million worth of benefits into local communities (see report pages 15-18).

The real soundbite we're waiting to hear on the waterfront from Dr. Knatz, and her Long Beach counterpart Dick Steinke? "We can't make it to the Promised Land of Clean Air riding in a ‘sweatshop on wheels'."