Port of Oakland’s own clean-truck program continuing to develop

We mentioned back in March that the Port of Oakland was considering their own clean-air/clean-truck program that had local port customers nervous. Why? Because of the potential to follow in the footsteps of LA/Long Beach in introducing container fees (i.e. container taxes) and pushing drivers into the hands of The Teamsters union by forcing them to be employees instead of owner-operators.

The first shoe dropped in June when we announced that the Port of Oakland was going to introduce a container fee (container tax) of $12.50/TEU, but not to exceed $25 per container. Much lower than LA/Long Beach, but a fee is a fee.

As for a trucking concession program banning owner operators, that hasn’t happened yet, but this article from etrucker is not encouraging. The key part that made me nervous:

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and environmental and labor advocates were among 3,000 people who turned out at a July 22 rally to support the program.

LA Mayor Villaraigosa is a staunch supporter and defender of the controversial program in his own port to ban owner operators, which is one of the points being challenged in the ATA’s lawsuit against the Southern California Ports clean-truck programs. I think the fact that Oakland Mayor Ron Dellum’s marched along with him suggests that he agrees with the same sentiments as Mayor Villaraigosa. And let’s not forget that The Teamsters were part of this march on the Port of Oakland as well. This doesn’t bode well for the future of Oakland’s clean-truck program.

Hat tip to World Trade Magazine.