The Port of Oakland’s marine terminals are open once again and operating normally.
They have resumed operations since 23 July, after several days of disruption by truck drivers protesting the gig worker law AB5.
Some 450 Port of Oakland dockworkers were unable to report to work as truckers protesting the Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) law have blocked access to one of the port’s main terminals.
“The Port of Oakland has resumed full operations,” said Port Executive Director Director Danny Wan.
“We appreciate the independent truck drivers’ use of the designated Free Speech Zones and we thank local law enforcement for their continued assistance.”
Wan added: “The truckers have been heard and we now urge them to voice their grievances with lawmakers, not the Port of Oakland.”
City of Oakland, regional and state law enforcement are continuing to monitor and implement measures to keep traffic flowing.
The protests come at a critical time for ports involved in high-stakes West Coast labour talks.
The Port said that last week’s protests have prevented the timely flow of international commerce including medical supplies, agricultural products, auto and technology parts, livestock, and manufacturing parts.
Transport workers are protesting against the AB5 authored by former Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez in 2019. Provisions in the bill require workers to satisfy a three-part test to be considered independent contractors.
An injunction in place since 2020 has prevented the law from being enforced; however, on 30 June the Supreme Court declined a petition brought forth by the California Trucking Association (CTA), upholding the full enforcement of the law.
