ATA, OOIDA at odds over cross-border issue

Last week, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced it had granted long-haul authority to Transportes Olympic to take part in the project but withheld approval on Grupo Behr, a second Mexico-domiciled carrier, when several groups expressed concerns about Grupo Behr’s safety record.

The Trucker Staff

10/18/2011

Two of the nation’s largest trucking associations that have found themselves at opposite ends of the cross-border pilot project are reinforcing their positions.

At Grapevine, Texas, American Trucking Associations officials gathered for the lobbying group’s annual Management Conference and Exhibition, Tuesday praised leaders in Mexico and the U.S. for their work to end the long-running dispute.

Meanwhile, officials of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) were headed for Otay Mesa, Calif., where they will join Teamsters Union General President James Hoffa and two bi-partisan Congressmen to reiterate opposition to the project.

“We’re pleased that after years of delay and untold billions in economic damage, the Obama administration has found a way to live up to our obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement,” ATA President and CEO Bill Graves said. “Congress put us in this position of violating NAFTA in 2009 by halting a successful pilot program. This short-sighted action led to Mexico raising tariffs on hundreds of products, which we’re thankful to the Mexican government for dropping.”

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Incoming ATA Chairman Dan England, chairman of C.R. England Inc., echoed Graves’ remarks.

“These tariffs hurt not just American farmers and manufacturers, but carriers like mine that carried those goods into Mexico,” England said. “By resolving this dispute, the administration has seen clear to overlook the alarmist and overblown claims by organized labor and alleged ‘safety’ groups to promote open markets for U.S. companies in this time of economic challenge.”

ATA has a long-standing policy in support of NAFTA’s cross-border trucking provisions as long as they are implemented equally.

“The trucking provisions of NAFTA should allow for more efficient, safe and secure trade between the U.S. and one of its largest trading partners,” Graves said. “While we still have reservations about how the U.S. government will provide oversight for Mexican carriers, we hope that Mexico will also provide transparent access for American companies eager to compete in the market.”

OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer will join Hoffa and Reps. Bob Filner, D-Calif., and Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., in criticizing the decision to re-open the border.

“With the backdrop of the Mexico border and California's commercial truck entrance into the United States, truckers and lawmakers will make a bipartisan presence to share updated information and concerns as the first motor carrier from Mexico has been approved in the cross-border trucking pilot program with Mexico,” OOIDA said in announcing the news conference.

“Truckers and lawmakers would like for Congress to put a stop to the program allowing Mexico-based motor carriers full access to all U.S. highways citing legitimate concerns for highway safety and American jobs.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined Mexico officials in July to announce a pilot project to replace the original pilot that was killed in 2009 by Congress.

The Trucker staff may be contacted to comment at editor@thetrucker.com.

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