A
AnAmericanCitizen
Guest
We haven't seen very much reliablity in other government departments yet they would
have us believe the Transportation Department is different.
Also, isn't it nice they will have a way to smuggle more illegals in that won't
require them to cross a hot desert.....AAC
Union: Mexican Trucks Begin Crossing Border Saturday
Union Asks Court To Block Mexican Trucks
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.
have us believe the Transportation Department is different.
Also, isn't it nice they will have a way to smuggle more illegals in that won't
require them to cross a hot desert.....AAC
Union: Mexican Trucks Begin Crossing Border Saturday
Union Asks Court To Block Mexican Trucks
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.
