Search

by MojoPages

Print
Email
Share

Truck drivers end strike at Port of Seattle

by KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on February 14, 2012 at 3:47 PM

Updated Tuesday, Feb 14 at 6:21 PM

SEATTLE -- Hundreds of truck drivers have decided to return to work at the Port of Seattle after a two-week long strike.

Truck drivers were upset over paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket to maintain their vehicles, yet cargo companies continued to pack on oversized loads that make their trucks unsafe on the road.

An estimated 400-500 truck drivers took part in the strike, even protesting outside the Port of Seattle gates last week.

With help from local unions, a task force will now be formed to look into the safety and expense issues expressed by drivers.

Drivers also complained it was unfair for them to pay fines for equipment they don't own. Typically, the container belongs to the shipper, the chassis that it sits on is owned by a trailer company and the drivers are the owners and operators of the truck.

Print
Email
Share
 
Business News Video
More Video

To add a comment, please register or login.

1000 characters remaining

Submit

We welcome your comments on this story's topic. Off-topic comments, personal attacks, and inappropriate language may be flagged and removed, and comment privileges blocked, per our Terms of Service. Thanks for keeping the comments space respectful.

Privacy Policy

You have indicated this comment should be removed.

Close

The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .

Comments: Displaying 1 - 5 of 5

charleylechein said on February 15, 2012 at 2:39 PM

charleylechein avatar

dakotanative, did you grow up with indoor plumbing or go out to the outhouse? So, did you grow up in North or South Dakota? Or do you even remember? Some unions work harder for its members, some dont. I was in a union from 2006 till 2008. My job moved out of state and the union sat back and didnt try anything to keep the jobs. When 3/4 of the jobs had moved, the union finally saw that they would not have many employees, and no dues and no income . The union closed our local because no members and no income from our dues.

81430907
Flag this comment

dakotanative said on February 14, 2012 at 10:45 PM

So the union supported another strike that accomplished nothing. They used theses independents to push their own agenda. The union had nothing to lose as usual.

81395064
Flag this comment

hewhoo said on February 14, 2012 at 8:28 PM

@Proudamerican. Your ignorance is showing. These aren't employees with a 'job' and a paycheck. These are owners and operators of the truck. They own the truck--or are paying payments on it (you know the thing in the front with the motor?) The port owns the trailers (the thing which the cargo container sits on) The cargo container belongs to someone else. The owner operators bring their truck, the trailer is attached, a cargo container is put on the trailer. They deliver it somewhere and get paid by the mile. They get to pay for their own truck, their own repairs, their own tires, and their own diesel fuel from the amount they get paid. If there is any left over, they get to feed their families, pay taxes etc. They are businessmen and women.

81391263
Flag this comment

angeldove said on February 14, 2012 at 6:36 PM

I am glad that they are returning to work. The strike was starting to affect other businesses. Proudamerican you are a piece of work!

81387039
Flag this comment

Proudamerican said on February 14, 2012 at 4:06 PM

About time these whinners get back to work. They should be honered they still have a job after not working for two weeks.

81381027
Flag this comment