10/3/06-For the second time in two years, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have given owner-operators whose trucks service ports in California the right to collectively bargain.
The governor said in his veto message Sept. 29 that while he appreciates the bill’s proponents desire to “improve the economic clout” of port owner-operators, the bill likely violates federal antitrust law.
“The provisions of this bill offer a legally doubtful attempt at an antitrust exemption, expanding state regulation in a manner never tried before,” Schwarzenegger wrote. “This will undoubtedly set off legal battles that will take years to resolve.”
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 would have allowed port owner-operators to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.
It also would have extended to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights. Owner-operators would have had an anti-trust exemption.
The effort can be brought back for consideration during the session that begins in December.

8/28/06-The Senate voted to send a bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 recently received Assembly approval with changes, which required the Senate to grant final approval before sending it to the governor’s desk.
The bill also would extend to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights.
Existing anti-trust laws prohibit independent contractors from engaging in collective action to improve their economic conditions. However, shipping lines and terminal operators have federal exemptions from the rules, which allow them to fix the rates paid to truck drivers, an analysis on the bill stated.
The bill would create an anti-trust exemption for owner-operators.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

6/27/06-The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee voted 6-2 June 22 to approve a bill that would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits. The Senate already approved it.
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 also would extend to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights.
Existing anti-trust laws prohibit independent contractors from engaging in collective action to improve their economic conditions. However, shipping lines and terminal operators have federal exemptions from the rules, which allow them to fix the rates paid to truck drivers, an analysis on the bill stated.
The bill would create an anti-trust exemption for owner-operators.
It has been sent to the Assembly floor. For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

6/1/06-The Senate has approved a bill that would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 also would extend to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights.
Existing anti-trust laws prohibit independent contractors from engaging in collective action to improve their economic conditions. However, shipping lines and terminal operators have federal exemptions from the rules, which allow them to fix the rates paid to truck drivers, an analysis on the bill stated.
The bill would create an anti-trust exemption for owner-operators.
It has been forwarded to the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee. For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

5/2/06-A bill awaiting a final vote on the Senate floor would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 won approval late last month in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee.
The bill also would extend to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights.
Existing anti-trust laws prohibit independent contractors from engaging in collective action to improve their economic conditions. However, shipping lines and terminal operators have federal exemptions from the rules, which allow them to fix the rates paid to truck drivers, an analysis on the bill stated.
The bill would create an anti-trust exemption for owner-operators.
For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

4/5/06-A bill in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 also would extend to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights.
For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.

3/1/06-A bill in the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee would give owner-operators whose trucks service ports in California the right to collectively bargain.
Sponsored by Sen. Joseph Dunn, D-Garden Grove, SB1213 would extend to port owner-operators the right to organize and to collectively negotiate with port motor carriers regarding such matters as compensation and benefits.
In addition, it would extend to those drivers key benefits that many employees in the state have, such as the ability to withhold their services on a collective basis – in essence, the right to legally strike – and to be free from any coercion by port motor carriers regarding those rights.
For Senate bill status, call (916) 651-4120.