Port Of Oakland Truckers Threaten Shutdown Over Emissions Rules
OAKLAND (KCBS) — The Port of Oakland Truckers Association announced on Monday that drivers will walk off the job as early as next week if they don't get financial help meeting new clean-air standards.
Truckers are giving the port until Wednesday to agree to financial offsets to help with new air quality rules—which require that trucks used must have been built in 2007 or later to keep working. Older trucks may be used only if upgraded at an approximate cost of $80,000.
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There are about 800 drivers that need help upgrading their truck to cleaner standards and they could essentially lose their jobs if they can no longer operate.
The Port of Oakland truckers said they were forced into a difficult position after a request to the California Air Resources Board to have the deadlines on these rules was turned down.
The association wants the port to pay an emissions fee of $50 per load to help offset the cost of upgrading, plus a $50 per hour fee after the first two hours a trucker has to wait in line picking up a load.
The Port of Oakland counters that the truckers knew these new rules were going into effect five years ago and that 80 percent of the those picking up loads have already upgraded.
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan has said she would look for extra city money to help, but truckers are threatening to walk out next week in what would be the third work stoppage in since August.
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