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Mexican Cross-Border Trucking Program Hits Another Snag Dana Gabriel The House of Representatives passed the Safe American Road Act 2007 on May 15th. It will further delay and restrict the cross-border program that would allow Mexican trucks unlimited access to U.S. highways until safety requirements are met. The pilot project was slated to begin in July with American trucks granted the same access to Mexico. It had already been delayed because of safety and security concerns and intense opposition by many U.S. truckers. Along with these concerns, my main opposition to this program is the negative impact it could have on the U.S. trucking industry. There is no doubt that once enacted, they will try and make it permanent There has been no clear indication that the program would be terminated after the original one year period. This new bill restricts the time frame, requiring termination no later than three years after its enactment. It could also be terminated sooner if the Transportation Secretary doesn't comply with the provisions. This project is part of NAFTA and the overall North American Union agenda of further opening up the borders. The Cross-Border Demonstration Project is a program that would give Mexican trucks access to the U.S. beyond the current 25 mile limited commercial zone. In July, 100 Mexican trucking companies were to be given complete access to U.S. highways. It appears that this new bill will only further delay this project. Since NAFTA'S inception, Mexican trucks crossing the border has increased substantially, and this includes the amount of unregulated shipments. This new program, in conjunction with the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Free and Secure Trade System, could see Mexican trucks across the border in as little as 15 seconds. With no reliable national criminal or driving database, this poses a serious threat. This could include more drug smuggling and illegal immigration. With inspection of Mexican trucks kept to a minimum, this does raise some serious security and safety issues. Despite empty promises by the Department of Transportation, there is little to suggest that Mexican trucks will be consistently inspected. Todd Spencer, vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, in referring to the new legislation passed stated, “This bill will inject some sanity into a program that still has far too many questions.” He went on to say, “The Department of Transportation has provided nothing but rhetoric when asked exactly how it will implement this program.” They are on record saying that all participating Mexican trucking companies will have to comply with U.S. safety regulations and that inspectors will conduct in-person audits. Jim Hoffa, the president of the Teamsters Union, stated that, “The resources do not exist to carry out an aggressive oversight and enforcement program.” The Mexican trucking industry standards are not equal to those of the U.S. and they have limited enforceable safety requirements. There are real concerns over drug testing and the fact that Mexican truckers are pushed to drive long hours. American inspectors can hardly keep up with the demand right now, and as it is only a small percentage of trucks are actually checked. The Bush administration has not proved that Mexican trucks and drivers will meet the same safety standards as their American counterparts.
There are also serious concerns that once this project gains permanency that it will lead to lower wages for American truckers, just the same as roofing and the construction industry. American trucking companies would then start hiring Mexican truckers at greatly reduced wages which would eliminate U.S. jobs. Frosty Wooldridge, a former truck driver who writes for the website News With Views, said, “First, the independent haulers will see their loads undercut by Mexican drivers. Later Mexican drivers will chip away at produce haulers. Given enough time, Wal-Mart, Roadway, Consolidated, and Home Depot will hire Mexican drivers at half the wages of American truckers.” With reduced shipping rates, some are saying that these savings will be passed on to consumers. The Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said that the demonstration program will lead “to lower costs for U.S. consumers, make our economy more competitive, and give U.S. truckers new business opportunities.” There is no doubt that some large trucking companies will benefit from this program. By reducing costs, multinational corporations will see their profits increase. Do you really believe that they are going to share these savings with us? Ultimately, this program will lead to lower wages, the loss of American jobs, and will destroy small independent trucking companies. The Safe American Roads Act of 2007 (HR1773) passed 411-3 and is intended to ensure that before this demonstration program is enacted that safety requirements are put in place. Joan Claybrook, president of Public Citizen said, “The bill limiting the authority of the Department of Transportation is a stunning repudiation of the Bush administrations attempt to force open the border to potentially dangerous NAFTA trucks before addressing significant safety concerns.” Opposition to this program has also come in the form of law suits filed by both the Teamsters and Public Citizen. There was also a protest that was planned for Washington D.C. and other state capitals in late April to raise concerns over the Mexican trucking program and the North American Union. There was to be a convoy of slow moving trucks with protest banners, but it was never allowed to happen. As the trucks were lining up to access the D.C. Beltway, they were threatened with fines. Similar scenarios took place in Oklahoma, Nashville, and other parts of the country. There are plans to hold a bigger and better organized protest for June14, 15, 16. To find out more details, visit Save America Fund website. This protest is not just limited to truckers, so we need to get the word out. There can be little doubt that we are living in the first stages of a North American Union. NAFTA has been a disaster, yet our politicians are hellbent on further expanding upon it. This Mexican trucking program is part of a broader agenda, and it could very well become permanent. If you factor in the guest worker plan which could pass at anytime and the proposed NAFTA Superhighway, then it only makes sense that Mexican truckers would be granted full access to U.S. roadways. We must voice our concerns and take action before it is to late. If we don't, this program will be another nail in the coffin for middle-class America. ---------------------------------------------------
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