The International Warehouse Logistics Association joined other logistics industry associations in writing a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urging him to oppose a bill that would close the U.S. ports to independent truck owner-operators.
Sens. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the bill: "The Clean Ports Act of 2011" (S. 2011). It would reverse a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and grant to local governments the ability to regulate interstate and foreign commerce by trucks within the port jurisdiction. The Ninth Circuit ruled only the federal government has the power to regulate truck interstate and foreign commerce.
The associations told Reid, "Clean truck plans that have been enacted under current law have reaped tremendous reductions in emissions. If enacted into law, this bill would void the enormous investments made by many small businesses and put them out of work."
Joel Anderson, IWLA president & CEO, said the bill was one more example of unions pressuring elected officials for the purpose of mandating union-organized businesses.
"The goal of this legislation is to handcuff private business owners into adopting a business model that only union business agents would find acceptable," Anderson said. "It is time for the Administration and Congress to stop creating cartels and picking winners and losers in the marketplace, both on the business and labor sides, and instead act to encourage private enterprise and the free flow of trade and commerce."
