Post by HardTimeTrucker on Mar 26, 2009 16:45:54 GMT -5
ATA Blasts City, Port Over Clean Trucks
John Gallagher | Mar 26, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
Truckers support program but oppose concessions, ban on independent drivers
The American Trucking Associations is accusing the City of Los Angeles of misleading the public about ATA’s stance on the Port of Los Angeles clean-trucks program as a way for the port to divert attention from the program’s alleged influence by the Teamsters union.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously March 20 in favor of the ATA that the part of the plan banning independent drivers from the port interferes with interstate trade. “The judges’ opinion made very clear,” the ATA noted, “that ATA does not oppose the environmental components of the port's regulations.”
The appeals court reversed and sent back for further consideration the District Court’s earlier decision in the ATA lawsuit, which the city said it will continue to oppose.
“We are committed to fighting this case because our clean-trucks program is the most sustainable plan for ensuring a clean, safe and secure trucking system for the long-haul at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The misrepresentation of its position extends to the port and the Natural Resources Defense Council, said ATA spokesman Clayton Boyce.
“These parties continue to mislead the citizens of Los Angeles and Long Beach by claiming that ATA is trying to kill the ports' clean-trucks program,” Boyce said. “ATA has supported the clean-trucks program, including the ports’ container fee for financing the replacement of older trucks, the banning of older trucks and the Ports Drayage Registry, and continues to do so. ATA has opposed only the ports’ concession plans, especially the Los Angeles ban on independent owner operators.”
Requiring that drivers be trucking company employees would allow unions to organize the drivers, ATA contends.
“In short, the public’s health, safety and security are not at risk in the ATA litigation,” Boyce said. “This litigation is about removing unconstitutional and illegal red tape, and about protecting the rights of the owners of small businesses that the Port of Los Angeles has trampled.”
John Gallagher | Mar 26, 2009
The Journal of Commerce
Truckers support program but oppose concessions, ban on independent drivers
The American Trucking Associations is accusing the City of Los Angeles of misleading the public about ATA’s stance on the Port of Los Angeles clean-trucks program as a way for the port to divert attention from the program’s alleged influence by the Teamsters union.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously March 20 in favor of the ATA that the part of the plan banning independent drivers from the port interferes with interstate trade. “The judges’ opinion made very clear,” the ATA noted, “that ATA does not oppose the environmental components of the port's regulations.”
The appeals court reversed and sent back for further consideration the District Court’s earlier decision in the ATA lawsuit, which the city said it will continue to oppose.
“We are committed to fighting this case because our clean-trucks program is the most sustainable plan for ensuring a clean, safe and secure trucking system for the long-haul at the Port of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
The misrepresentation of its position extends to the port and the Natural Resources Defense Council, said ATA spokesman Clayton Boyce.
“These parties continue to mislead the citizens of Los Angeles and Long Beach by claiming that ATA is trying to kill the ports' clean-trucks program,” Boyce said. “ATA has supported the clean-trucks program, including the ports’ container fee for financing the replacement of older trucks, the banning of older trucks and the Ports Drayage Registry, and continues to do so. ATA has opposed only the ports’ concession plans, especially the Los Angeles ban on independent owner operators.”
Requiring that drivers be trucking company employees would allow unions to organize the drivers, ATA contends.
“In short, the public’s health, safety and security are not at risk in the ATA litigation,” Boyce said. “This litigation is about removing unconstitutional and illegal red tape, and about protecting the rights of the owners of small businesses that the Port of Los Angeles has trampled.”