Trucker protests over the implementation of AB5 have effectively shut down operations at shipping terminals at the Port of Oakland.
Protests began last week in response to the California law which will prevent businesses in the ‘gig economy’ such as Uber and Lyft from classifying workers as contractors rather than employees. Truck drivers are concerned that it will inadvertently render them unable to work for themselves.
“We understand the frustration expressed by the protestors at California ports,” said Danny Wan, executive director, Port of Oakland.
“But, prolonged stoppage of port operations in California for any reason will damage all the businesses operating at the ports and cause California ports to further suffer market share losses to competing ports.”
AB5 came into law in 2018 but has been suspended for the past two years. This suspension was lifted in June 2022 and will now apply retrospectively from 1 January 2020.
The state is now offering resources to help truckers comply with the law.
“Truckers are vital to keeping goods moving,” said Wan, “We trust that implementation of AB5 can be accomplished in a way that accommodates the needs of this vital part of the supply chain.”
