February 12, 2008

View All Photos from Rally

(San Francisco) – The Teamsters Union now awaits a decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on the legality of the Bush administration’s cross-border truck pilot program.

The three-judge panel questioned attorneys for the Teamsters, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Owner-Operators Independent Drivers Association, who joined the Teamsters in the lawsuit.

“I’m counting on the judges to prevent the Bush administration from shredding the Constitution and endangering the driving public with this reckless, lawless pilot program,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa.   

Congress set safety requirements before the southern border could be opened to long-haul trucks. Those included upgrading inspection facilities, computer databases and state enforcement capacity. The Teamsters argued those requirements were not met. 

The Teamsters further argued that Transportation Secretary Mary Peters broke another law after Congress cut off funds for the program in December. Peters defied Congress and announced she would keep the border open.

Before the hearing, 450 Teamsters rallied outside the courthouse. They waved “Keep U.S. Highways Safe” and “NAFTA Kills” signs as seven Teamster trucks circled the block, blaring their air horns. Passing cars, trucks and buses honked their horns in support.

“The ink hadn’t even dried on the action taken by Congress when Transportation Secretary Mary Peters authorized this reckless pilot program,” Teamsters Western Region Vice President Chuck Mack said at the rally. “It’s outrageous what the Bush administration is trying to get away with in the last few months they have left in office.”

A family member of victims of an accident caused by a Mexican truck spoke to the crowd.

David Jennings lost his mother, father and son after the truck suffered a catastrophic drive train failure—something that could have been prevented had the truck been properly inspected at the San Diego border station.

“NAFTA has already compromised our jobs,” he said from the flatbed truck parked outside the court. “NAFTA has already compromised our environment. Now it’s being pushed to compromise our lives.”

Tony Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 890 in Salinas, Calif., said that Mexican truckers oppose the program as well. “They fear it will destroy the trucking industry there,” he said.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.