Truck driver from nation’s largest port complex who fought for – and won – the right to be classified as an “employee” to serve as panelist at White House, call on President Obama to increase penalties on companies that engage in wage theft and tax fraud WASHINGTON, DC – On Wed., October 7, a port truck driver who was misclassified for years as an “independent contractor” but fought for – and won – the right to be classified as an employee and is now a member of Teamsters Local 848, will be a panelist at the first ever “White House Summit on Worker Voice.” The professional driver, a husband and father to two young children, who was fired for filing a claim for Wage Theft with the California Labor Commissioner, now works for Eco Flow Transportation and is in the process of negotiating his first Union contract with the company and committee of co-workers. “The White House will convene a Summit on Worker Voice to explore ways to ensure that working Americans are fully sharing in the benefits of the broad-based economic growth that they are helping to create. The Summit will focus on how workers can make their voices heard in the workplace in ways that are good for workers and businesses.  The labor movement has long served as a powerful force for ensuring that workers’ voices are heard and, as a result, for growing and strengthening the middle class. As we work to continue to address economic inequality, and as we adapt to the challenges and opportunities presented by our changing workforce, the Summit on Worker Voice will look to energize a new generation of Americans to come together and recognize the potential power of their voice at work. “At the summit, the President will deliver remarks and participate in a town hall with Coworker.org to start a conversation with workers, employers, unions, organizers and other advocates and experts on how we can energize a new generation of Americans to come together and recognize the potential power of their voice at work.  Coworker.org is a non-profit launched in 2013 as a platform for engaging in workplace advocacy.  Hundreds of thousands of workers have joined Coworker.org campaigns to launch and join campaigns to improve their workplace.”