Intermodal truck drivers employed by XPO Logistics held an informational leafleting outside of Frank Toyota in San Diego Saturday to inform the public that they have filed charges against Toyota Tsusho Corporation for effectively firing an XPO driver who raised the alarm on drivers’ conditions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. XPO has failed to enforce key safety procedures or provide drivers with proper PPE, and Toyota — the main customer of XPO in the region — has failed to ensure that the XPO drivers in its supply chain are protected.

... [D]rivers... delivered a petition to elected officials and the boards of XPO and Toyota, demanding the pay and protections they deserve as essential workers in the midst of a global pandemic, including a restoration of pay rates, compensation for waiting time and proper PPE. Due to XPO misclassifying drivers as independent contractors, these drivers do not have access to paid sick leave, health insurance or other basic social safety nets that are critical during this global pandemic.

... In May, the Teamsters sent a letter to investors urging shareholders to vote against the “excessive” pay given to the company’s CEO, Bradley Jacobs... Workers have raised concerns about a lack of PPE, gloves, and sanitizing wipes for misclassified drivers; paid sick leave for workers; no access to health insurance or free COVID-19 testing; and insufficient information around workplaces protections and safety measures to prevent the virus.