Support The Clean Ports Act of 2010 -- Truck Drivers Deserve Good, Green Jobs

The port trucking industry relies on outdated federal laws to justify passing all the costs of doing business – including environmental fleet replacement – onto low-income truck drivers and taxpayers while continuing the vicious cycle of working poverty at our nation’s ports.

The workers behind the wheel shouldn’t have to pay for the industry’s responsibility to clean the air. And, the companies should take legitimate responsibility for their workers, instead of misclassifying them as independent contractors, which bars them from uniting together for middle-class paychecks and benefits.

Nationwide, port authorities have tried to address the interrelated problems of poverty and pollution but are being legally blocked by the industry’s use of a 30-year-old law. Congress is now considering an amendment to modernize transportation law to address 21st century challenges. Legislation being advanced by Congressman Jerold Nadler (D-NY), the Clean Ports Act of 2010, would allow port authorities to hold the industry accountable to labor and environmental standards so port truck drivers and their communities can win truly clean air and good green jobs.

Sign the petition to Congress and learn more about the Teamsters’ role in the Coalition for Clean & Safe Ports here.