Truck drivers rally in Sacramento for better pay, access to basic facilities

In solidarity with the nationwide protest in Washington, D.C., a group of truckers protested Thursday at the state Capitol for access to better pay and working conditions.

The protest at the White House was a grassroots efforts by truckers to call for better shipping rates to stay in business and respond to demands during the coronavirus pandemic. President Donald Trump had called truck drivers the “foot soldiers” in the war against the virus, at a ceremony celebrating the industry at the White House in April.

The truckers protested against the low freight rates and called for broker transparency. They called for support toward the COVID-19 “Heroes Fund” - an initiative pushed forward by Senate Democrats on giving essential workers, including truck drivers, a $13 per hour hazard pay raise. The House passed the bill on Friday.

Around 50 Punjabi truck drivers and family members attended the peaceful protest in support of the truckers relief fund. Wearing face masks, protesters maintained social distance in compliance with the California public health guidelines, while holding signs. Others encircled the Capitol building and honked horns to lend their voices of support.

Making their voices heard

Gurmeet Batth, a truck driver from Modesto, was one of the protesters. Like many truck drivers, Batth said he is frustrated by the lack of transparency and accountability of their brokers, who he said have a total control of the rates as well as their working hours.

There were times when truckers had to drive overnight after unpaid hours of waiting for the shipment to load, in order to make the deadline for the shipment delivery, he explained.

“We work so many hours but don’t get enough money, not even minimum wage,” he said.

Batth said truckers should be considered as essential workers especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

“These days, especially for COVID-19, we are on the road and we are transporting and supplying goods for all the people,” he said.

The truckers seek greater autonomy or input in negotiating driving hours as well as access to basic facilities like restrooms at shippers and receivers.

Gurpal Singh Gill, a truck driver from Sacramento, said he had waited for two to eight hours for goods to be loaded on his truck, during which truckers were not compensated for.

“If the wheels don’t turn, you don’t get paid,” said Inderjit Gill, his son.

Gill said that during the wait, he, along with many truckers, were denied access to basic facilities like restrooms, with warehouses citing safety concerns to prevent the potential transmission of COVID-19.

While some shippers do provide portable toilets outdoors for use, they were deterred from using them as they looked as if they have never been cleaned or emptied, Gill said.

“Being scared to go to the bathroom (during work) is pretty sad,” Inderjit Gill said.

As a result, Gill had to wait for hours for the shipments to load, then drive another two to four hours, until he could finally stop by a truck stop to use the restroom. His son recalled times when Gill had to drive throughout the night with only two hours of sleep in order to make a delivery deadline.

“Truck drivers have been abused and underappreciated for many years,” said Harjit Singh, organizer with the Jakara Movement, a community-building non-profit. “Congress and the administration must enact laws to alleviate these needs so our ‘essential workers’ are able to support the country, their families, and our nation.”

Truck drivers as essential workers

With relatively fewer barriers of entry for immigrants, trucking is one of the largest industries for the Punjabi community. There is an estimated number of 20,000 to 25,000 Punjabi truck drivers in California, according to Singh.

“All you need is to study the rules and regulations (on the road) and learn how to drive and pass the driving test,” Singh said. Many local DMV offices offer tests in Punjabi, and language isn’t as big as a hurdle during the job. “It is accessible to everyone,” he said.

Deep Singh, a protester and Fresno resident, said he was there to help amplify their voices and make sure that the communities support them.

“Truck drivers are essential workers and I think more and more Americans are realizing that especially during the pandemic,” he said. “However their work conditions do not make truckers a viable living option.”

Harjit Singh said truck drivers are as important to the nation as blood to one’s body, delivering essential items throughout the arteries of the country’s highway system.

“Everything we get is from the drivers,” he said.

This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 7:36 PM.