Sources report that the Port of Long Beach will be sued in federal court within the week for its "Clean Trucks" environmental program.
The lawsuit stems from a series of regulations port authorities adopted in December to force the turnover of thousands of trucks in the harbor. Regulations were written to reduce diesel emissions from trucks by 80 percent within 5 years.
Diesel emissions from trucks are a major source of the toxic air pollution local residents and workers breathe each day.
The American Trucking Association initially said it was ambivalent to the Long Beach plan, then decided to sue because they decided it violates federal interstate laws.
Los Angeles is facing a similar ATA lawsuit after adopting a regulatory plan that requires trucking companies to hire drivers and purchase trucks.
Expect a lawsuit no later than July 29.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
I would like an opportunity to share with you my experience with the corrupted, if you would, interwoven, and business incestuous relationship between the Pacific Maritime Association, the so-called "progressive" ILWU, and other elements of the "system" if you would. As a graduate of the Jesuit University of San Francisco(USF), I was duped, conned, manipulated, and lacking enough political savvy, naively became ensconced with major participants thereof.
The use of forms of "legal" blackmail and economic deprivation to force someone to fulfill a political errand is not something to which anyone would want to be exposed.
An example here, of which I write, could it be of the age-old business incestuous relationship of the Corporate/government and Military seeking influence within a prominent and economically critical Union? A Union, founded by the controversial Harry Bridges, whose hierarchy is cozier with the employer than those who work for a living, and those who believe in the ILWU's reputation, are willing to admit. The "last great rust belt union" and an "injury to one is an injury to all" have long been a couple of descriptions of the ILWU. It really is "I got mine, you get yours." Fat cats do not catch mice!
When a person is used as a pawn it can become too damaging and revealing to be brought to light. You have to live with the constant attempts to control and discredit the pawn. If the cast of characters, players if you will, is exposed the picture is very clear.
There are many corrupted players here from many directions. Disgusting. I have, as a whistleblower, been blacklisted, falsely arrested, and harassed for a long period of time. I do have corroborating evidence, particularly paperwork relative to my being registered as a longshoreman under the ILWU-PMA "permissive rule" Coast Labor Relations Committee(CLRC) Item 21-62 Item 2J for sons, and now of course daughters, of deceased longshoreman almost twenty years after my Father's death, and after years of being repeatedly denied, in writing, as untimely under the same rule. My Father passed away in 1968, his plug number in Local 10 was 4075. To my knowledge an unprecedented situation of which few or none will speak or comment. An embarrassment to all parties concerned. If am able to communicate with someone who is reputedly objectively honest then I would look forward to the opportunity. There is much between the lines here. Hypocrisy abounds. My name is Joe Gianforte, formerly A book #8724 ILWU Local 10. This local is in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area. My telephone number is (510) 614-2763 and my E-mail is joegianforte@yahoo.com. Thank you.