http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=53108

May Day actions have little effect on trucking
By Lance Orr

Demonstrations and work stoppages were supposed to bring May in like a lion, but for trucking, May 1 arrived more like a lamb.

Activities planned nationwide on May 1 to demonstrate Hispanic economic clout and protest illegal-immigrant legislation passed by the U.S. House did little to affect trucking or any of the major U.S. ports, said various trucking associations and port personnel.

While many industries took the day off to lighten the impact of any stoppages, the commercial transportation sector rolled on as normal.

“I haven’t heard of anything,” said Mike Russell, American Trucking Associations spokesman.

The Los Angeles Times had reported that the work stoppage might cause an overload at the nation’s ports, but ports officials said they saw little change in business.

“Yes, we have much lighter than usual traffic today, but we had heavier than usual traffic on Friday and Saturday, so it’s not clear if it has an impact,” said Art Wong, public information officer for the Port of Long Beach, Calif. “The terminals are open, they are working on the ships and trains, but there are fewer trucks than usual.”

“The terminal operators may have anticipated this stoppage,” Wong said. “There are some trucks going in and out of the terminals, but it is very light.”

Calls to the California Trucking Association and the Texas Motor Transport Association were not returned.

May 1, for centuries known as May Day and more recently as International Workers’ Day, long has been characterized by workers’ rights demonstrations and, occasionally, riots. Left-wing groups have often chosen the day for demonstrations.

May Day observances became less common in the United States after the Soviet Union officially endorsed the holiday during the Cold War.