Truckers protest outside Oakland port - 6 cited

About 100 truck drivers and their supporters picketed outside the Port of Oakland on Wednesday to protest working conditions, backing up traffic and prompting a minor run-in with police.

Police officers worked with port officials to keep protesters from blocking gates and shutting down harbor operations as they have at past actions this year.

Six demonstrators were cited for remaining in roadways after being directed to move, police said. One officer sustained a minor injury when a car ran over his foot while he tried to clear protesters from the street.

The Port of Oakland Truckers Association, which represents about a quarter of the drivers who move goods to and from the port, is demanding better pay, more time to meet new environmental regulations and compensation for long wait times to pick up cargo.

A number of association drivers, who work as independent contractors, remained off the job Wednesday. The association voted for the work stoppage Sunday after they said meetings with Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and other officials failed to satisfy their demands.

Demonstrators held signs reading "Fair wages" and "Extend the deadline." Dozens of people amassed in front of gates before dawn and remained there in lesser numbers throughout the day. Organizers did not say how long they would maintain picket lines.