Truckers Strike Over Rising Fuel Prices

Published Jun 1, 2004 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

While only 15 percent of California's 12,000 truck drivers are owner-operators, said the spokesperson for the California Trucking Association, a Sacramento trade group. Port officials said that the shortage of drivers caused cargo to stall at the ports of LA, Long Beach, and Oakland.

California has the highest fuel cost in the country because of special blends required by its government to curb pollution. Diesel fuel in the state has risen to $2.30 per gallon, which is almost 32 cents higher than the national average.

The independent truckers want Governor Schwarenegger to allow oil companies to ship fuel to California from other states. Truckers say that it costing them to work, so why bother.