Trucker protest over gig worker law shuts down operations at California port
NBCDec 27, 2022
The Facts
Starting on Mon., trucker protests against Assembly Bill 5, a California "gig economy" law passed in 2019, have effectively shut down cargo operations at the Port of Oakland, one of the busiest in the US.
Port officials have warned that a '"shutdown will further exacerbate the congestion of containers" and with supply chains already strained, the protests have caused additional disruption.
The Spin
Right narrative
California's local government is known for being incompetent and pushing through laws that don't make sense. All Newsom's bill has done is make the lives of truckers more difficult and constrict business opportunities. Newsom should recognize that this isn't the time to risk hurting the fragile supply chain, which is already under intense duress from COVID and other issues.
Left narrative
Though Newsom's bill may have been too broad, it was ultimately created to combat unfair business practices carried out by big companies like Uber and Lyft, who don't treat gig economy workers fairly. Additionally, worries about supply chains are being overblown, as many retailers have ample stockpiled inventory.