union,” Dennis Glackin, a representative for the company, said in a Thursday afternoon email, and the union ignored our pleas for help.”

Workers and Teamster union representatives, though, accused the company of exploiting workers and imposing “draconian wage and benefit cuts that have devastated drivers and their families.”

Workers on the picket line said the changes have had serious impacts on them and their families.

Josselyn Bonilla of Compton, who has been a driver for two years and is the mother of a 5-month-old girl, said going out on strike is painful, but necessary.

Health care costs, she said, went up from $30 to $166 a week for families and vacation time has been reduced.

Both she and her husband, Jeremiah, drive for Southern Counties Express, a subsidiary of the Michigan-based parent company Universal Logistics Holdings. Both are designated to drive rigs with hazardous waste cargo, which Josselyn Bonilla said needs extra provisions and equipment the company isn’t providing.

The pay was also changed from hourly to being paid “per load,” which is a problem, she said, considering often times, there are long waits in line to pick up or drop off cargo at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Drivers don’t get paid for wait times, she said.

Drivers said that can lead to speeding and rushing for other paid stops to make up the time that was lost.

That change alone, a Teamsters release said, has cut annual incomes by “over $35,000.”

Communication with dispatchers has also been moved out of state, the union said, “creating major safety concerns, especially for hazardous material loads.”

The company, though, disputed the union’s characterization of the changes.

“The company has enacted its best offer, which included several items requested from the union,” Glackin said. “Under the company’s offer, many drivers are receiving higher pay. And those who do not like the offer have the option to take a voluntary buyout.

“Southern Counties Express will do everything in its power to protect our customers and the job security of our team members,” Glackin added. “The company’s door remains open for further bargaining with the union.”

As of midday, no disruptions or picketing activity had been reported at the ports of Los Angeles or Long Beach.