Posted on 08/30/2007 8:26:45 AM PDT by VU4G10
WASHINGTON -- The Teamsters Union said it has been told by officials in the Transportation Department's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that the first Mexican trucks will be coming across the border on Saturday.
The union said Wednesday it would ask a federal appeals courts to block the Bush administration's plan to begin allowing Mexican trucks to carry cargo anywhere in the United States.
Teamsters leaders said they planned to seek an emergency injunction Wednesday from the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
"What a slap in the face to American workers, opening the highways to dangerous trucks on Labor Day weekend, one of the busiest driving weekends of the year," said Teamsters President Jim Hoffa.
Joining the Teamsters in seeking the emergency stay were the Sierra Club and Public Citizen.
"Before providing unconditional access throughout the country to tens of thousands of big rigs we know little to nothing about, we must insure they meet safety and environmental standards," Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope said.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in a statement, said it was working closely with the department's inspector general "as his office completes an additional assessment of the program and we prepare a detailed response to that report."
The Bush administration said last week it would start the cross-border program once the Transportation Department's inspector general certifies safety and inspection plans.
Leslie Miller, a Teamsters spokeswoman, said attorneys for the federal truck safety agency advised the union's lawyers that they expect to get that certification on Friday. She said the Teamsters also were told by the agency attorneys that limited authority for trucks to begin crossing the border will be approved Saturday.
Supporters of the plan say letting more Mexican trucks on U.S. highways will save American consumers hundreds of millions of dollars.
Labor and driver-owner groups have been fighting the measure -- part of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement -- since it was first proposed, saying the program will erode highway safety and eliminate U.S. jobs.
A one-year demonstration project would allow 100 Mexican motor carriers full access to U.S. roads. It can begin as soon as the inspector general certifies that safety and inspection plans and facilities are sufficient to ensure the Mexican trucks are as safe as U.S. trucks.
Since 1982, Mexican trucks have had to stop within a buffer border zone and transfer their loads to U.S. trucks.
According to the CHP, 18 percent of Mexican carriers were sidelined in 2006. That figure stands in contrast with the 19 percent of American companies.
The door is open and now it’s only a matter of time before one or more nukes are smuggled in through Mexico and used against the USA in a manner consistent with their design.
Doesn’t really look like the American citizen has anything to say about this. Get ready for cheap bananas and some IED’s and a nuke suitcase.
saves dollars......at what cost??? to human life?
Who needs weapons? The “Lumber-Jerk” almost took out I-93 just by driving his Canadian truck into it.
Vote Democrat. Come home.
Hey Teamsters, how are those mandatory dues being funneled to Democrats working out for you?
Suckers...
Just doing the trucking American truckers don’t want to do.
Damn those Canadian trucks. If he'd bought American he would have got the job done. ;-)
“unconditional access” to the US? This is bad.
I find it interesting that the Teamsters are chiming in (and being reported) as if they’re some sort of “power” in the trucking industry. They most certainly are NOT.
In 1970 there were probably 800,000+ (reported at one time by Teamsters themselves as closer to a million) people covered under the National Master Freight Agreement. Today between 70,000 – 80,000.
They “accomplished” that feat during a time when the transports have literally *exploded* and there are thousands of new trucking companies and millions of new drivers.
Meanwhile, Teamsters slowly dying and circling the bowl.
Let the Mexicans in. If it means Teamsters lose their few remaining jobs it's worth it IMO.
We’re going to miss American truckers. They are a lot safer than Mexican drivers.
No more blueberry pie and pork chops at roadside diners. Prepare for bisteca and sopapia.
So now all that deported “sanctuary” mom Elvira has to do is get her trucker’s license. Sounds like a telenovela to me.
The first wreck involving a Mexican truck will be front page news. Mexican truckers can’t be any worst then some of the American truckers that I have seen.
Anything that weakens the Teamsters is ok in my book and will benefit the country.
John
The first wreck involving a Mexican truck will be front page news. Mexican truckers can’t be any worst then some of the American truckers that I have seen.
Anything that weakens the Teamsters is ok in my book and will benefit the country.
John
Agreed, however Jorge is backing this 1000%.
Just like cheap crayons and spongebob dolls. Sure they may injure or kill your child but you can’t beat the great low price.
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