Note: We applaud Governor Brown’s decision to ensure this legislation doesn’t use public funds to “green-wash” job-killing automation. The ILWU Coast Longshore Division worked with ILWU California locals to educate the State Assembly on this important issue.

From an article titled ‘Labour Beats Port Automation’ from Port Technology:

California Gov. Jerry Brown

California Governor Jerry Brown has dealt a blow to the automation industry while attempting to improve both environmental and labour conditions at ports, according to The Sacramento Bee. New California rules hold that environmentally-friendly cargo handling equipment in ports must not be fully automated or remote controlled if it is to be subsidised.

Governor Brown has agreed to put the provision, a concession to powerful unions like the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), into legislation.

The legislation deals with how the state will use funds from an environmental taxation system intended to cut air emissions, Cap-and-Trade.

This includes US$1.5 billion in proceeds from the state’s Cap-and-Trade auctions, some of which had been set aside for electric vehicles.

Read more at Port Technology