WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration once again gave "the bird" to organized labor, and gave a second one to Congress Aug. 4 in extending, for two more years, a test program allowing long-haul trucks from 100 Mexican trucking companies full access to U.S. highways.
The Bush administration action, under provisions of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), could also open the border to Mexican buses, and validates UTU concerns that the Bush administration is serious in giving Mexican-operated locomotives greater access to the U.S.
Reuters reports that the Bush administration waited for Congress to begin its five-week summer recess before making the decision, even though legislation is pending that would end the pilot program and prevent the president and his DOT from giving carte blanche U.S.-highway access to Mexican truck and bus operators and, possibly, Mexican locomotive engineers.
By announcing the program on the first day of the congressional recess, the Bush administration effectively prevented immediate congressional action to reverse the decision through legislation.
The House Transportation Committee, on July 31, voted unanimously to end the pilot program, and the bill was slated to go to the House floor when Congress returns in September.
Although the legislative effort surely will be jump-started when Congress returns after Labor Day, Senate conservatives loyal to the Bush administration are certain to attempt to filibuster the measure, and the president can be expected to veto any bill that passes the House and Senate.
"This anti-labor action by the Bush administration is another of so many reasons why, on Election Day in November, we must elect a labor-friendly president and increase the labor-friendly majority in Congress," said UTU International President Mike Futhey. "Sen. Barack Obama stands with labor on this and other bread-and-butter economic and safety issues."
"Opposition to opening the border by giving unrestricted U.S.-highway access to Mexican trucks -- and, perhaps, buses, and later Mexican locomotives and Mexican locomotive engineers -- "is not a matter of protectionism or dislike of our Mexican neighbors," Futhey said. "It is a matter of public safety and national security as made clear by both Republicans and Democrats in Congress, as well as highway safety advocates, who oppose this Bush administration action."
In 2007, the Bush administrations DOT approved a one-year pilot project to permit a limited number of Mexican trucks full access to U.S. roads even though Congress indicated its disapproval, citing concerns over unresolved safety issues, including driver training, ability to read highway signs in English, and vehicle safety concerns.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration head John Hill, a Bush appointee, defended the Bush administrations actions by saying it was necessary for economic reasons, meaning the president, as with so many truck, bus and railroad companies, places profits above safety.
Then, in giving "the bird" to Congress, Hill told Bloomberg news, "Congress introduces legislation all the time. Until it is law, we don't get concerned with every bill that is introduced in Congress."
