The Teamsters wrapped up three days of protesting unfair treatment of port truck drivers by doing something on Wednesday, Oct. 3, that they said had never been done in the unions 115-year history: they got arrested — intentionally.
Over the past three days, hundreds of teamsters picketed at and near marine terminals, rail yards, warehouses and distribution centers across Southern California, including those that support the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, as a way to protest what they say is the misclassification of workers as independent contractors rather than employees. Workers have long argued that being classified as contractors robs them benefits such as vacation time, sick pay and workers compensation.
So on Wednesday afternoon, the pickets culminated their efforts to drum up publicity and support by marching from the Wilmington Waterfront Park to the corner of Figueroa Street and John S. Gibson Boulevard, holding hands and sitting in a circle in the middle of the intersection, and chanting slogans — effectively blocking the 110 Freeway onramp.
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Donovan Leakes holds up a sign along with Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Congressman Alan Lowenthal joins Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
L-R Senator Ricardo Lara and Senator Kevin De Leon joined Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Senator Ricardo Lara joined Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. In an act of civil disobedience approximately 50 members stood in the intersection of Figueroa Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard and were peacefully detained by LAPD. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Teamsters, Working Families United, National TPS Alliance, LA County Federation of Labor, CARECEN, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE), Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) gathered together for a rally in Wilmington on Wednesday, October. 3, 2018. This marked the end of a 3-day strike by truckers and warehouse workers. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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So on Wednesday afternoon, the pickets culminated their efforts to drum up publicity and support by marching from the Wilmington Waterfront Park to the corner of Figueroa Street and John S. Gibson Boulevard, holding hands and sitting in a circle in the middle of the intersection, and chanting slogans — effectively blocking the 110 Freeway onramp.
After about 15 minutes, Los Angeles police officers ordered them to leave. When they refused, the officers arrested them one at a time.
The Teamster have shut down the Harry Bridges entrance to the N 110 Freeway in a display of civil disobedience. 40-50 people have volunteered to be arrested for the protest. pic.twitter.com/qdxNPuCly8
— Brittany Murray (@BrittanyMMurray) October 3, 2018
The civil disobedience, however, was worked out with police in advance, the Teamsters said: Before the rally, union organizers notified the Los Angeles Police Department that they would block traffic, so when they arrived, the police and California Highway Patrol officers were waiting for them.
“Theyre going to keep striking until they get justice,” she said of the disgruntled drivers. “Theyre going to keep striking, theyre going to keep filing lawsuits, theyre going to keep filing claims with the California Labor Commissioner.”
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