The ILWU's support for trucking changes respects the environment and truck safety, but without the guise of unnecessary "security" measures.
Labor and environmental groups are working in Washington to find a sponsor for a provision, probably within the next surface transportation reauthorization plan, that would allow ports to regulate local harbor trucking for purposes of the environment, safety and security. … The debate has dragged another powerful union into the skirmish. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union at the international level supports the Teamsters’ efforts to organize harbor truck drivers, said Lindsay McLaughlin, the ILWU’s legislative director in Washington. However, McLaughlin pointedly limited the ILWU’s support to giving ports regulatory authority over matters pertaining to the environment and truck safety. The proposed amendment would likely include “security” in its wording. Proponents believe having a national security element would make it easier to amend federal law. McLaughlin stated, however, there are already a number of layers of security requirements at ports that directly affect longshoremen, and the industry does not need another layer. … Although local officials in Southern California have not taken a stand specifically on amending the federal pre-emption act, Local 13 President George Lujan was pictured in a local advertisement saying the Port of Long Beach clean-trucks plan is effective in reducing truck emissions.