Some truckers halt work at Port of Oakland Group seeks better pay, safer conditions

A file photo of the Port of Oakland. Large cranes and deep channels allow the world's largest container ships to conduct business at the Port of Oakland in Oakland. A file photo of the Port of Oakland. Large cranes and deep channels allow the world's largest container ships to conduct business at the Port of Oakland in Oakland. Photo: Michael Short, The Chronicle Photo: Michael Short, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Some truckers halt work at Port of Oakland 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Truckers at the Port of Oakland refused to work Monday to protest what they called unfair labor practices and unsafe working conditions.

The Port of Oakland Truckers Association, which represents about a quarter of the drivers who bring cargo to and from the port, organized the work stoppage. It said its members were independent contractors who can't join a union but have organized to fight "deteriorating conditions."

The group said truckers have not seen any increase in the payment per cargo load in 10 years, while the cost of diesel has quadrupled.

"We want to put an end to inhumane treatment," Isaiah Thompson, a member of the truckers group, said in a statement. "We need safer conditions and better compensation."

The group is seeking a $50 monthly "green emissions fee" to offset the cost of upgrading trucks to meet new exhaust standards, more time to comply with environmental standards set to take effect Jan. 1, and compensation for the hours truckers spend waiting unpaid for a load. The truckers also want more pay per cargo load.

Truckers have also complained about the lack of portable toilets. After a meeting with port officials following the group's last work stoppage in August, six toilets were added to the area where trucks pick up and drop loads, the group said.

The latest work stoppage began at 5 a.m. and continued throughout the day. Organizers said it was unclear whether it would last into Tuesday.

On Thursday, Judge Lawrence Appel of Alameda County Superior Court, at the request of the city of Oakland, issued a temporary restraining order barring truckers from blocking people or cars from entering or exiting the port. Protesters appeared to be abiding by the order while being monitored by Oakland police and sheriff's deputies, and most terminals remained open.

In court filings, a port official noted that the truckers enter into contracts with brokers, who in turn agree to contracts with the port's tenants and others to haul freight.

"It is vital to avoid any delays when exporting time-sensitive goods like fresh produce," wrote Jean Baker, the port's deputy executive director and acting director of maritime. "It is therefore critical that the roadways and marine terminal gates at the Port of Oakland are safe, secure and open for business so that no delays occur in goods movement."

Port officials said the truckers' two-day work stoppage in August caused "millions in business losses and work hours."

In a statement Monday, Port of Oakland officials said they "empathize with the truckers" because of the economic downturn and had been "doing everything we can to facilitate solutions." But they said the protests were counterproductive.