Truckers Protest Mexican Trucks Program

[RedGlitter]

Truckers Protest Trial Plan to Permit Mexican Trucks on Roads Across U.S.



By ELLIOT SPAGAT

Associated Press Writer

Sept. 6, 2007—



SAN DIEGO -- Dozens of truckers waved signs and American flags at a border crossing Thursday to protest a program that will allow up to 100 Mexican trucking companies to freely haul their cargo anywhere in the United States.

The U.S. Transportation Department was expected to begin issuing operating permits in the pilot program as early as Thursday, starting with 17. The program is designed to study whether opening the U.S.-Mexico border to all trucks could be done safely.

As of Thursday morning, 38 Mexican firms were poised for U.S. permits, said Melissa Mazzella DeLaney, a spokeswoman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates truck safety.

The Teamsters union and Sierra Club oppose the program and sued to try to stop it, arguing that there wouldn't be enough oversight of the drivers coming into the U.S. from Mexico and public safety would be endangered.

Government lawyers countered the program was a necessary part of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement and said trucks enrolled in the program would meet U.S. regulations.

A federal appeals court ruled Aug. 31 that the Bush administration could move ahead.

NAFTA requires that all roads in the United States, Mexico and Canada be opened to carriers from all three countries. Since 1982, Mexican trucks have been allowed to operate only within a 25-mile zone along the border. There, they transfer loads to U.S. trucks to go elsewhere in the country.

Dozens of truckers led by the Teamsters mixed with some anti-illegal immigration activists to protest near San Diego's Otay Mesa border crossing, some flashing signs that read, "NAFTA Kills" and "Save American Highways."

Business was uninterrupted, said Lt. Hector Paredes of the California Highway Patrol, which inspects about 3,000 trucks a day at the crossing.

"We're already inspecting Mexican trucks and will continue to inspect them the same way," Paredes said. "These trucks already haul product from Tijuana to San Diego. Now they will be able to go beyond San Diego."

[minks]

RedGlitter;691171 wrote:

Truckers Protest Trial Plan to Permit Mexican Trucks on Roads Across U.S.



By ELLIOT SPAGAT

Associated Press Writer

Sept. 6, 2007—



SAN DIEGO -- Dozens of truckers waved signs and American flags at a border crossing Thursday to protest a program that will allow up to 100 Mexican trucking companies to freely haul their cargo anywhere in the United States.

The U.S. Transportation Department was expected to begin issuing operating permits in the pilot program as early as Thursday, starting with 17. The program is designed to study whether opening the U.S.-Mexico border to all trucks could be done safely.

As of Thursday morning, 38 Mexican firms were poised for U.S. permits, said Melissa Mazzella DeLaney, a spokeswoman for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates truck safety.

The Teamsters union and Sierra Club oppose the program and sued to try to stop it, arguing that there wouldn't be enough oversight of the drivers coming into the U.S. from Mexico and public safety would be endangered.

Government lawyers countered the program was a necessary part of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement and said trucks enrolled in the program would meet U.S. regulations.

A federal appeals court ruled Aug. 31 that the Bush administration could move ahead.

NAFTA requires that all roads in the United States, Mexico and Canada be opened to carriers from all three countries. Since 1982, Mexican trucks have been allowed to operate only within a 25-mile zone along the border. There, they transfer loads to U.S. trucks to go elsewhere in the country.

Dozens of truckers led by the Teamsters mixed with some anti-illegal immigration activists to protest near San Diego's Otay Mesa border crossing, some flashing signs that read, "NAFTA Kills" and "Save American Highways."

Business was uninterrupted, said Lt. Hector Paredes of the California Highway Patrol, which inspects about 3,000 trucks a day at the crossing.

"We're already inspecting Mexican trucks and will continue to inspect them the same way," Paredes said. "These trucks already haul product from Tijuana to San Diego. Now they will be able to go beyond San Diego."


let em truck on!

[Patsy Warnick]

These trucks will go beyond San Diego - the US is building road for Mexico's trucks to go up to Canada. Yes we're paving the way

Patsy

[gmc]

Works both ways surely? American and Canadian trucks can travel down to Mexico. If it generates more trade then more jobs for truckers. You can't compete in business by trying to prevent competition. better aim to have a level playing field. How many mexican hauliers are worried about US truckers taking their business?

[minks]

Patsy Warnick;691179 wrote: These trucks will go beyond San Diego - the US is building road for Mexico's trucks to go up to Canada. Yes we're paving the way

Patsy


well lets hope they have an easier time crossing the Mexico USA border than they do crossing the Canada USA border.

[henrychalder]

gmc;691240 wrote: Works both ways surely? American and Canadian trucks can travel down to Mexico. If it generates more trade then more jobs for truckers. You can't compete in business by trying to prevent competition. better aim to have a level playing field. How many mexican hauliers are worried about US truckers taking their business?


There wont be a level playing field, the jobs that will be created will be Mexican driving jobs at rock bottom wages based in Mexico, the same is happening here with regards to eastern european drivers, they get the contracts for uk deliveries, they fuel up their belly tanks abroad, pay no road tax for uk roads and cause a lot of accidents.

The same is happening all over, taking advantage of low wages abroad with regards to 'call centres', banking etc, its even been suggested that our DNA databank and personal information be sent to Asian countries, this is what globalisation is all about. If the people of our countries allow this sort of exploitation by greedy Global Companies they do so at their peril...there should be a national strike and a show of 'No Tolerance' to the Multi Globals. I think secretly George Bush would prefer a situation where there were no borders between Mexico and the US despite this so call wall being built. The Teamsters need to bring back some old Teamster methods into play and do a bit of truck burning!

[minks]

henrychalder;691324 wrote: There wont be a level playing field, the jobs that will be created will be Mexican driving jobs at rock bottom wages based in Mexico, the same is happening here with regards to eastern european drivers, they get the contracts for uk deliveries, they fuel up their belly tanks abroad, pay no road tax for uk roads and cause a lot of accidents.

The same is happening all over, taking advantage of low wages abroad with regards to 'call centres', banking etc, its even been suggested that our DNA databank and personal information be sent to Asian countries, this is what globalisation is all about. If the people of our countries allow this sort of exploitation by greedy Global Companies they do so at their peril...there should be a national strike and a show of 'No Tolerance' to the Multi Globals. I think secretly George Bush would prefer a situation where there were no borders between Mexico and the US despite this so call wall being built. The Teamsters need to bring back some old Teamster methods into play and do a bit of truck burning!


are you yelling? Whew I sensed some anger there. Good lord greedy global companies hmmm the mexican truckers just wanna work, and hey with NAFTA lets encourage this free trade all the way.

[Sheryl]

Sure let them truck through as long as their vehicles are up to DOT standards, they can read the English signs, and know our traffic laws. Yesterday Dave saw a truck from Mexico, that had baling wire holding the front grill on. :-5