LONDON and PORT OF LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On
Wednesday, April 10, 2019, a
delegation of contract truck drivers who haul borax from the Rio
Tinto mines in Boron, Calif., to
the Port of Los Angeles, together
with Teamster leaders, attended the company's Annual General
Meeting in London, England. The
drivers, who are employed by Rio Tinto's contract drayage carrier
California Cartage Express, a division of NFI Industries, attended
the meeting with Teamster officials to demand an end to wage theft
due to their misclassification as independent contractors (rather
than employees) and enforcement of the Rio Tinto's Supplier Code of
Conduct in their U.S. supply chain.
"It took tremendous courage for the Cal Cartage Express drivers
to leave their families, travel to London, and confront the global mining giant
Rio Tinto. The Teamsters are proud to be supporting these men in
their fight for justice at America's largest seaport, and heartened
by Chairman Simon Thompson's
willingness to listen to them and take action," said Fred Potter, Vice President, International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, and Director of the Teamsters Port
Division. "The fact is that NFI Industries' subsidiary California
Cartage Express, which hauls borax from the Rio Tinto Boron Mine to
the Port of Los Angeles, has a
demonstrable track record of violating Rio Tinto's Code of Conduct.
The hardworking truck drivers who haul this heavy cargo 150 miles
from Boron to the harbor have
experienced wage theft due to unlawful misclassification by their
employer, Cal Cartage Express as independent contractors rather
than employees. The Teamsters Union is committed to making certain
that Rio Tinto enforces its Supplier Code of Conduct by committing
to doing business only with trucking companies that align with Rio
Tinto's values."
"We came before Rio Tinto's Board of Directors and shareholders
to bring light to the worker exploitation taking place in the
company's supply chain and told them why we believe that Rio Tinto
must take swift action against this exploitation," said
Gustavo Villa, a port truck driver
for Cal Cartage Express/NFI Industries.
"We're not asking for a lot. We're not asking to strike it rich.
We're only asking for what's fair. We're asking for a living wage,
to be properly classified as employees. We want dignity and respect
on the job. I traveled a long way to speak and I hope that by
sharing my struggles the Board of Directors will open its eyes and
see that injustice happening in Rio Tinto's supply chain every day.
Rio Tinto is not my employer, but they have the power to step in
and stop this abuse," said Jesus
Maldonado, a port truck driver with Cal Cartage Express.
Rio Tinto is a global mining company headquartered in
Melbourne, Australia. The Rio
Tinto Boron Mine in Boron,
California, is the largest borax mine in the world,
producing "nearly half of the world's supply of refined borate
products." (Source: riotinto.com). Borax, a commonly used mineral,
is a component of many detergents, cosmetics and enamel glazes.
Borate compounds are used to strengthen cellphone, computer, and
television LCD screens to keep them from warping under high
temperature.
Rio Tinto has a Supplier Code of Conduct that requires that its
vendors uphold "fundamental human rights," including, "Ensuring all
work is freely chosen; without the use of forced or compulsory
labour; ensuring fair remuneration and work conditions for all
workers; promoting humane treatment and preventing harassment and
unfair discrimination; and respecting workers' rights to lawfully
and peacefully form or join trade unions of their choosing and to
bargain collectively."
Click here for evidence that Rio Tinto is not complying
with its own Supplier Code of Conduct.
With the dedicated support from the International Brotherhood
of Teamsters, community, and faith allies, we are fighting to
change the logistics industry so we can win justice for ourselves
and our families. We haul and handle our country's imports and
exports for retail companies, for manufacturers, and for the U.S.
Military. We are proud to be professional truck drivers and proud
of the service we provide. Without us, America would stop.
PRESS CONTACTS: Barb
Maynard, (323) 351-9321; barb@actnowstrategies.com; and
Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610,
kdeniz@teamster.org
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SOURCE Justice for Port Drivers