The Teamsters say the 1940’s built-warehouse has been the target of numerous investigations by federal and state regulators, citing issues such as a lack of steel-toed boots for employees, poor brakes on forklifts, and workplace hazards such as potholes.
The Teamsters have also accused Cal Cartage and its related companies of improperly classifying drayage drivers that serve the warehouse as independent contractors when they should be classified as employee drivers.
The attention brought by the Teamsters’ efforts prompted the Los Angeles City Council last October to evict Cal Cartage from the site, which sits on land owned by the Port of Los Angeles.
In a statement last month, the Port said it had been working with Cal Cartage to resolve the issue of its tenancy..
“If the company is unwilling to follow the law and play by the rules, and in so doing so puts the Port’s proprietary interests at risk, then they are wise to vacate the property to make room for a company that will follow the law,” said Teamsters Port Division Director Fred Potter.
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News