Teamsters Demand Accountability from Waymo After Blackout Disaster

San Francisco Supervisors Question Robotaxi Company After Traffic Chaos

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Teamsters Joint Council 7, along with other labor unions, held a press conference and hearing before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, calling for accountability from Waymo after the autonomous vehicle company's vehicles caused significant traffic jams and public safety threats during a widespread power outage in December. Waymo's vehicles froze in place, blocking first responders and delaying firefighters responding to the electrical substation fire that caused the blackout.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about the safety and impact of autonomous vehicles on public safety and middle-class jobs. Waymo has faced a history of incidents where its vehicles have disrupted emergency response, threatened pedestrians, and interfered with the work of Teamsters and other essential workers.

The details

During the power outage, Waymo's autonomous vehicles froze in place, causing significant traffic jams and public safety threats. The blocked vehicles hindered first responders and delayed firefighters who were responding to the electrical substation fire that caused the blackout. Teamsters and other labor unions are demanding that Waymo be held accountable for these operational failures and the threats its vehicles pose to public safety and middle-class jobs.

  • In December 2026, a widespread power outage occurred in San Francisco.
  • Since 2022, when Waymo was first approved to operate without a human driver in California, threats to public safety have grown.

The players

Teamsters Joint Council 7

A labor organization representing more than 100,000 members in 20 local unions across Northern California, the Central Valley, and Northern Nevada.

Service Employees International Union Local 1021

A labor union representing public and private sector workers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

International Association of Firefighters Local 798

A labor union representing firefighters in San Francisco.

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Peter Finn

Teamsters Joint Council 7 President and Co-Chair of Teamsters California.

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What they’re saying

“Waymo's excuses about why fire trucks continue to be blocked en route to emergencies, or what will happen to the workers they are trying to displace will persist until we force real change.”

— Peter Finn, Teamsters Joint Council 7 President and Co-Chair of Teamsters California (bakercityherald.com)

“We are in the streets every day, navigating steep, narrow roads to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. AVs continually cause route disruptions that delay garbage and recycling collection.”

— Quentin Booker, Teamsters Local 350 sanitation driver in San Francisco (bakercityherald.com)

What’s next

This year, Teamsters Joint Council 7 will advance a legislative package that prevents the threat of dangerous AVs to public safety, protects workers, and ensures that economic growth benefits everyday Californians.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing concerns about the safety and impact of autonomous vehicles on public safety and middle-class jobs. Waymo has faced a history of incidents where its vehicles have disrupted emergency response, threatened pedestrians, and interfered with the work of Teamsters and other essential workers, raising questions about the need for stronger regulations and accountability measures for AV companies.