The Los Angeles City Contract Truck Association, a group that represents more than 100 independent truckers, conducted a protest on Thursday in the downtown area, urging city officials to renew contracts for the As-Needed Haul Truck Program. This Bureau of Street Services program goes back to the 1890s and the city, through StreetsLA, retains a list of qualified and ready-to-work independent truckers for short-term and long-term hauling projects. Members of the LACCTA recently received letters, informing them that the city would not renew their contracts set to expire at the end of June.
Kenyatta Cole, LACCTA’s secretary, expressed his disappointment with this decision, noting that it could have detrimental effects on their businesses, especially in light of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that independent truckers operate below costs and provide excellent service because they know the roles and routes in the area. However, the city cited AB 5 state legislation, which requires classifying workers as employees rather than independent contractors, as the reasons for not renewing the truckers’ contracts.
Elena Stern, the senior public information director for the Department of Public Works, which houses StreetsLA, expressed concern about the impact of AB 5 on many Californians and added that the department is looking for ways to ensure that their contract truckers have opportunities to continue working. Cole acknowledges that the city’s attorneys are in communication with their representatives, but he believes that city officials have not done enough to meet with the association and find a resolution. Until their contracts are renewed, LACCTA members plan to continue protesting to protect their livelihoods.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
