SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Andriana Burkhammer-Flores is a third-generation longshore worker. She drives UTR cargo vehicles on the port, but the vehicles she drives could soon be automated amid threats felt by longshore workers.

“I was a single mother for a long time. I have a 16-year-old son, so, I’ve been a single mom for quite a while. This actually afforded me to purchase my home at 23-years-old,” Flores said.

Flores is one of the 100s of unionized port workers that are part of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. The port workers came to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners hearing in opposition of port automation that she says will take away jobs.

“It makes a huge difference. I don’t see how anybody survives in this world without a good paying job and that’s what we are fighting for,” Flores said.

The Thursday meeting lasted over four hours with passionate public comments from port workers, like Flores, community members, and public officials. The meeting discussed the ramifications if the permit that would allow the installation of electric equipment at the APM terminal pier 400 would be approved. APM Terminal declined to comment, but spoke at the meeting.

“We will continue to work with I.L.W.U. and will improve both our communication and our collaboration during our modernization plans,” Peter Jabbour with APM Terminal said.

In the meeting, APM Terminal stated they would move forward with their automated cargo vehicles despite the outcome of the permit vote. The permit would only approve the use of incorporating electrically-powered automated vehicles rather than diesel. Ultimately, the port commissioners voted to allow APM Terminal to obtain the permit in a three to two vote. An answer Flores and other port workers were disappointed to hear.

“[The port commissioners] are not listening to their community. They are on a commission to specifically be the voice of a community and to protect our lands that are meant to be beneficial for the people of California,” Flores said.

The vote was a win for APM Terminal as their automated vehicles are already in route. For Flores and the I.L.W.U., they plan to fight for AB 1321, a bill that would bring port automation regulation from a state agency.

The Pacific Maritime Association released this statement after Thursday’s hearing:

Today’s vote by the Board of Harbor Commissioners re-affirms the Port of Los Angeles’ commitment to keep the port competitive in the wake of increasing market share losses. It also re-affirms the port’s commitment to modernize terminal operations while pursuing the most ambitious clean air goals in the country. To help longshore workers prepare for the port jobs of the future, the PMA has proposed a comprehensive, fully-paid training program to re-skill and up-skill longshore workers to equip them for the next generation of work on the waterfront. Throughout history, modernizing the waterfront has created important job opportunities and economic growth for our region and state. Continued terminal modernization will help keep the West Coast on that path.