With the high cost of fuel on top of other expenses, the drivers are finding it difficult to make a decent living. This has led the truckers to be involved in several protest actions and to demand that the companies recognize the Teamsters union as their representative. But the companies counter that National Labor Relations law does not allow "independent businessmen" like the truckers to be eligible for union representation.

The truckers have also rallied at the mayor's office and police department, demanding they stop giving the drivers hefty fines for faulty equipment owned by the shipping lines. The truckers say the shipping companies should be the ones receiving the penalties.

At the rally drivers took petitions to circulate among fellow truckers. They aim to put the companies on notice that the contracts to haul will be terminated. If the trucking company wants goods to be hauled they should take them on as employees and contact Teamsters Local 988 as to the terms of their employment. One owner of a small trucking company signed a contract at the rally itself.  
 
 
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