Seattle port truck drivers end strike, make gains

Seattle port truck drivers, mainly African immigrants, carried out a two-week strike, which ended on Feb. 14. These workers have taken a big step forward and exposed the terrible sweatshop conditions in their industry. The Seattle Truck Drivers Association now has a road map for advancement to dignity and unionization.

The 400 to 500 strikers stopped working on Jan. 31 to protest second-class working conditions in a highly profitable industry. The drivers are misclassified as independent contractors instead of employees. This means they get no Social Security, Medicare, or unemployment or other benefits. However, they have to make payments on their trucks and pay for vehicle repairs, gas, insurance which costs $120 per week, and other fees.

The drivers make less than minimum wage. In addition to lacking a decent income, the drivers work in unsafe conditions, are treated disrespectfully and often face racism on the job. Yet, the bosses make a bundle from their labor.

The port drivers got a boost from the Occupy movement’s Dec. 12 port shutdown, which was also in solidarity with the truck drivers. The years of organizing by California port drivers have also built the movement. The Seattle port drivers received good labor and community support during their strike, especially from the Teamsters union.

The drivers forced the trucking companies to negotiate with them. They received pay increases above the $40 to $44 price per shipping container that they had been getting. Their strike forced the State House to pass a bill requiring port trucking companies to change their classification as “independent contractors” to employees. Passage of this in the State Senate would open the way for them to unionize, as the workers have demanded.

The port truck drivers are among the new wave of workers rising up against the bosses’ cutbacks, union busting, racism and war.