A rally was held today in Los Angeles to advocate for the signing of California Assembly Bill 316 (AB 316). The bill, which has received widespread support from the California legislature, would require the presence of a trained human operator on autonomous vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds. The Teamsters join California elected officials, union allies and public safety leaders in calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to prioritize safety and protect jobs.
The rally was attended by Lindsay Dougherty, vice president of Teamsters Western Region International, and Chris Griswold, vice president of Teamsters Non-Portfolio International. They emphasized the importance of Governor Newsom signing AB 316, saying it is about keeping the public safe and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs. They also highlighted the strong support the bill enjoys among California voters, as shown by a recent public poll in which more than three-quarters of voters expressed support for AB 316.
Rally participants expressed concerns about the dangers posed by small autonomous vehicles, citing accidents, collisions and interference with public safety personnel. They emphasized that these problems could be prevented by requiring a human driver in autonomous trucks. They called on Governor Newsom to listen to their concerns, protect jobs in California and enact AB 316 immediately.
After the rally, a caravan of Teamsters truck drivers will head to Sacramento. On September 19, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien will join the caravan for a rally and march at the State Capitol to directly call on Governor Newsom to sign AB 316 into law.
AB 316, originally introduced by Representatives Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Laura Friedman, Tom Lackey and Ash Kalra, has received broad bipartisan support from elected officials and voters in California. Recent polls show that nearly three-quarters of Californians, regardless of political affiliation or demographic, support the bill. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has spoken out against AB 316, but rally attendees believe the concerns of California voters should come first.
The rally also highlighted the ongoing collisions and accidents involving autonomous vehicles in San Francisco. Despite public outcry, the California Public Utilities Commission approved permits for autonomous vehicle manufacturers to expand their driverless operations in the city. This has led to incidents such as a fatal accident in which two self-driving taxis allegedly blocked an ambulance on a one-way street, complicating medical care for a dying patient.
The Teamsters and their supporters emphasized fears of automation and the potential job losses associated with it. They called on Governor Newsom to stand up for what is right and prioritize safety over profits by signing AB 316 into law.
