Exploitation of Port Truck Drivers by Banks (for 12/12/11)

Port truck drivers are treated, at an 82% rate, as independent contractors not employees. Goldman Sachs is a 50 percent owner of SSA Marine, an operator of four Long Beach, California port terminals. This operator has had safety problems as one worker was pinned to death between two trucks and another was nearly crushed to death by a cargo container. New companies drove unionized companies out of business and sold their trucks to their drivers to further exploit them. Everyday these drivers must pay for truck leases, sign new contracts, and inspect their vehicles, for which they are liable for damages. They get paid by the load, not an hourly wage, and do not receive benefits. Contract workers are often not covered by workplace health and safety laws.
http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/153393/how_goldman_sachs_and_other_companies_exploit_port_truck_drivers_%E2%80%94_occupy_protesters_plan_to_shut_down_west_coast_ports_in_protest?page=entire