Teamsters Reach Accord With Long Beach Trucking Company
he International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Maritech Leasing said they reached accord on the first new contract between the union and a port trucking company in more than 20 years.
The contract covers company drivers only, but the Teamsters said the union is also working to represent owner-operators hauling for trucking companies at ports throughout the United States.
The two hailed the new agreement as the first step solving some of the problems that have plagued port trucking throughout the United States.
“Port drivers on the West Coast now have a contract that guarantees them fair wages, health and pension benefits and a grievance system,” said Chuck Mack, director of the Teamsters’ port division.
Maritech said it agreed to remain neutral during any future organizing efforts by the Teamsters at its terminals across the country. Company officials believe that retaining quality workers is a crucial key to providing their customers with unparalleled service.
“The volume of cargo entering U.S. ports is growing by leaps and bounds while insurance, fuel and truck maintenance have gone up and net truck driver compensation has plummeted,” said Bob Kelly, Maritech’s president.
“Our industry must take decisive steps to stem the growing shortage of truck drivers hauling containers from the ports to rail depots, warehouses and distribution centers. Drivers are leaving faster than the industry can replace them,” he said.
