Campaign Update: Port Commission Amends Clean Air Action Plan to Address Problems in Port Trucking

The Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports is an alliance of local environmental groups, unions, faith-based organizations, community groups and public health organizations working together to promote sustainable trade at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

On November 20, members of the coalition scored an important victory at a joint meeting of the commissioners of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The commission approved the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) - an historic plan designed to reduce pollution in the region over the next five years - and instructed their staff to find solutions to problems in the port trucking system.

William D. Smart Jr. of the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy and Rafael Pizarro of the Coalition for Clean Air - two organizations that are members of the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports - told the commissioners that cleaning up pollution in the region will require addressing the issues port drivers face.
 
Drivers Narciso Roman and Luis Ceja were there to make sure that port commissioners heard the voice of port truckers. They testified about poor working conditions and the low wages they earn, which make it difficult to adequately provide for their families and maintain their aging trucks. Meanwhile, a caravan of drivers circled the Civic Center in their rigs for support.

"I'm trying to represent thousands of drivers out there," said Ceja. "They call us owner-operators. But really we are treated like exploited employees. Sometimes I'll be working 16 hours just to make enough money to pay my bills… It's not fair."
 
Coalition member Martha Cota of Long Beach warned the commission of the threat the current port system poses to public health. She spoke of the alarming rates of asthma in the region, which have affected her community, her two children and herself.

"I worry that my truck contributes to the environmental issues facing our families and community," Roman testified. "They're suffering because of the contamination and impure air. It is not sufficient to get new trucks…even if we get new trucks, within four or five years, the trucks will need repairs and we won't have the money to maintain them."

Local political leaders spoke out in support of the truckers. "I want a moment to discuss the plight of our independent truckers and make sure that while we are focusing on cleaning up our trucks, we do not punish these drivers that work long hours, only to barely be able to put food on their table," said Janice Hahn, a Los Angeles District 15 Councilwoman.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told the commission: "Most [port trucks] are from very small companies or individual operators…We have to think long and hard on how we expect these individuals, living on the margin, to address our environmental growth, safety, and security concerns."

Comments by Coalition members were welcomed by port commissioners, who instructed their staff to look into the broken port trucking system and find solutions to the problems.

S. David Freeman, President of the Port of Los Angeles Commission, concluded: "We are linking the welfare of the truck driver with the pollution control so that our program embraces both with equal strength and determination."

"I would commend the Clean and Safe Ports group... I think your message was a good one," said John W. Hancock, Port of Long Beach Commissioner. "They're not easy answers but I assure you this is something that is going to get some attention as we go forward on this."

Members of the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports were pleased by the ports commission's decision to support the Clean Air Action Plan and to find solutions to the broken port trucking system.  Moreover, participating truckers learned that by uniting together, they have the strength to improve their lives and make the community better.