Worker Profile: Jose Lopez Gamez

José López Gámez of Fullerton is one of many drivers active in the Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports, a broad alliance of environmental, labor, faith-based, community and public health organizations working to dramatically reduce diesel emissions and lift environmental and labor standards within the Los Angeles and Long Beach port trucking system.

José left Nicaragua in 1989 in search of the American Dream, including better medical care for his young daughter who suffers from glaucoma. In 1996 he saved up to buy a truck, but because port drivers are misclassified as “independent contractors” he quickly discovered he was anything but an entrepreneur with flexibility. He worked long, hard hours in an unhealthy, environment for low pay and zero health care or basic benefits like worker’s comp insurance. Angered by the poor conditions, he was among the thousands of drivers who walked off the job in a legendary strike that nearly shut down the port economy to demand better pay, safer working conditions, and dignity and respect on the job.

José believes the situation for drivers is even worse now. The costs to own and operate a truck – including fuel, repair, taxes, and registration – have skyrocketed, but the rates drivers receive for each load remain flat.

Recently, after 12 years sitting behind the wheel for long periods of time, José suffered two herniated discs in his back. The pain was so intense that he couldn’t sleep, but without health insurance, he had to borrow money from his brothers for a plane ticket to receive surgery in his native Nicaragua -- medical care was too expensive here. “I went to apply for MediCal, but they told me that that I didn’t qualify for coverage and gave me a brochure for homeless people.“

José says it’s hard to imagine how anyone expects drivers like him to afford to pay for environmentally friendly trucks when they can’t afford Christmas presents for their children. He supports a strong Clean Trucks Program to halt deadly pollution and help create better jobs. “For me, the plan is about two things -- cleaning the environment, and improving our quality of life as drivers.” He wants to become an employee of the trucking company he works for because he cannot afford to buy or maintain the green trucks the Ports will require to clean the air.

“We’re not asking to be millionaires, we’re just asking for what’s fair – to be treated like we’re worth something. We deserve a good quality of life for our children.”