Thread: Mexican Truckers: Suspend Pilot Program

Sept. 13, 2007, 7:28PM
Mexican Truckers: Suspend Pilot Program


By LISA J. ADAMS Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

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MEXICO CITY — U.S. truckers aren't the only ones upset with a cross-border pilot program allowing long-haul Mexican tractor-trailers into the United States.

Truckers south of the border aren't thrilled with it either.

The private organization representing the majority of Mexico's freight haulers on Thursday demanded the government suspend the program, saying it leaves Mexican truckers at a competitive disadvantage with their U.S. counterparts.

Until last week, Mexican trucks were restricted to a narrow commercial zone along the border.

But after a more than decade-long dispute over the NAFTA provision opening up the roadways far across the border, the pilot program is gradually allowing up to 100 Mexican carriers to send their trucks on U.S. roadways for delivery and pickup.

The Mexican government also has committed itself to allowing trucks from as many as 100 U.S. companies to travel anywhere in Mexico.

Tirso Martinez, president of the group known by its Spanish acronym Canacar, said Mexico's Transportation Department has not resolved traffic bottlenecks for Mexican trucks trying to cross the U.S. border and lacks the personnel to enforce a provision prohibiting U.S. truckers from carrying domestic Mexican cargo, among other issues.

"The Mexican government has not negotiated the conditions that will permit freight haulers to compete on equal terms with its counterparts in the United States," Martinez told a news conference. "Therefore, we demand that the Transportation Department suspend the launch of this pilot program ... because it is not prepared to carry it out."

Martinez said Canacar was requesting a meeting with President Felipe Calderon to discuss its concerns.

The program is also encountering stiff opposition in the U.S.

The Senate on Tuesday approved a measure to prohibit the U.S. Transportation Department from spending money on the pilot program, which ostensibly would be followed by a permanent program mandated by the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The measure, proposed by Democratic Sen. Byron Dorgan, of North Dakota, is part of a $106 billion transportation and housing spending bill that the Senate plans to vote on soon. The House of Representatives approved a similar provision in July in its transportation spending bill.

The Teamsters, which have participated in protests against the program, argue that Mexican trucks are not safe for U.S. highways.

Both the U.S. and Mexican governments have argued that conditions are adequate to launch the pilot program, which they said would make Mexican cargo shipments more efficient both in terms of cost and time.

Until last week, Mexican trucks were restricted to a zone stretching about 25 miles inside the United States, except in Arizona, where it extended 75 miles.

Inside the zone, truckers transfer their goods to U.S. trucks, which then haul the cargo the rest of the way. U.S. truck drivers who have carved themselves a niche in that market have say they are worried about going out of business.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5133641.html

What is traffic Bottlenecking? Does anyone know? and U.S and Mexican governments say the conditions are "Adequate" wonderful just what is "Adequate" please.

Myself I think they feel rejected



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Sosad-

I don't care as long as Bush is crying in his beer. He. He. He. :P :P

Originally Posted by Faye

Sosad-

I don't care as long as Bush is crying in his beer. He. He. He. :P :P

It is good news "Faye"LMAO

Yep. Me,too. :P :P :P :P

I'm glad the Mexicans are wising up and realizing that they are being used. If they were being paid the same as the US truckers, I would still have a problem with them coming in...that is unless them and their trucks were strip-searched at the border.

The private organization representing the majority of Mexico's freight haulers on Thursday demanded the government suspend the program, saying it leaves Mexican truckers at a competitive disadvantage with their U.S. counterparts.

There you go. Maybe globalism is more about tweaking profit margins than anything else... At the same time, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Mexican drivers driving in Mexico, and US drivers driving in the US.
I don't want third-world drivers in a first-world transportation system.

Another common misconception that the proponents of such programs espouse -but cleverly hide - is that any 'savings' that would be gained by implementing such a labor [cost] saving concept, is often quietly consumed by the corporations. Rarely would corporations pass along significant reduction in shipping charges - rather, they would 'pocket it' in greater profits.

Rarely would corporations pass along significant reduction in shipping charges - rather, they would 'pocket it' in greater profits.

PhredE, isn't that what Ronnie taught, how coporations can pass down the cost to consumers and pocket whatever profits they can muster? When contractors use illegal immigrants to build houses, the cost of the house isn't decreased just because the labor was cheaper. If a power company incurs a higher energy bill, so will the consumer.

The AP completely omits any concerns about ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, again!

It is time we took a close look at the AP. They are clearly a political combatant with this massive censorship.

W

It's the Globalist that want this crap... not the people. We need to keep fighting the just fight.

Once again, the middle class see what the rich companies and wealthy people want.... cheap labor subsidized by the middle class..

HOW TO MAKE MO MONEY WITH YOOOO MONEY

WHODATHUNKIT.... they want mo of my money