Truckers protest Port of Long Beach lease-to-own plan
The program offers financing for truckers to buy new, cleaner models at a third the normal price. Opponents say the added debt could sink independent haulers already struggling with high fuel prices.
Port of Long Beach officials came under boisterous criticism Friday from about 60 truckers at the grand opening of a Clean Trucks Center where big-riggers can apply for financial assistance to replace their diesel vehicles with new, cleaner models.
A crowd of protesters assembled about 20 yards away from a stage where Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster praised the Terminal Island center as a "first step toward a much cleaner Long Beach of the future." The demonstrators verbally attacked his port's lease-to-own program, which they claim could put participants deep into debt.
As officials sat impassively in white folding chairs, a dozen Long Beach Harbor Patrol officers barred the demonstrators from approaching the stage with placards that said "I want to drive a clean truck, not buy one!" Some drivers shouted, "Clean trucks yes! Bankruptcy no!"
The Long Beach program offers a special arrangement to truckers who want to buy a $100,000 truck for a third of that cost. City officials call the program a bargain.
Opponents, backed by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and a coalition of environmental, immigration and consumer rights groups, contend several economic challenges make the program a risky one for 16,700 low-income independent owner-operators already facing soaring fuel prices and declining import volume in West Coast ports.
Earlier this week, the coalition urged the Port of Long Beach to replace its program, which allows independent operators or drivers employed by trucking companies to serve its terminals, with the lending model used by the Port of Los Angeles.
In the Los Angeles plan, companies -- not truckers -- would buy the new rigs. The plan has raised labor concerns because, as both Teamsters and union critics acknowledge, it's easier to organize workers as a company, rather than a bunch of independents.
Port driver Oswaldo Hernandez was among several truckers troubled by the Long Beach program.
"Right now, I haul containers from both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach," he said after kicking the tires of a brand-new $96,000 Mack truck on display at the center. "Why would I want to go into debt to work just the Long Beach side? I want work, not a new truck."
The Clean Trucks Center was created to assist truckers who need to comply with emissions reductions required under a landmark $1.6-billion plan for removing exhaust-spewing diesel trucks built before 2007 from the nation's two busiest ports by Jan. 1, 2012.
Beginning Oct. 1, pre-1989 trucks will be barred from the ports as part of the effort to cut diesel pollution by 80% over the next five years.
Friday's event closed with "ceremonial horn blows" from an assortment of shiny new big rigs parked around the stage. Those blaring sounds were countered by boos and hisses from dozens of demonstrators who, moments later, lined up at nearby booths to sign up for the Los Angeles program.
louis.sahagun@latimes.com
