Teamsters seek injunction against Mexican trucks in U.S.

WASHINGTON — The Teamsters union said Wednesday it will ask a federal appeals court to block the Bush administration's plan to allow Mexican trucks to carry cargo anywhere in the United States.

The union said it has been told by officials in the Transportation Department's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration that the first Mexican trucks will be coming across the border Saturday.

Teamsters leaders said they planned to seek an emergency injunction from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Joining the Teamsters in seeking the emergency stay were the Sierra Club and Public Citizen. "Before providing unconditional access throughout the country to tens of thousands of big rigs we know little to nothing about, we must ensure they meet safety and environmental standards," Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope said.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said: "We believe this lawsuit is without merit and that our program will benefit consumers by reducing the costly practice of requiring all cross-border shipments to be hauled by three separate trucks operated by three different drivers and provide U.S. trucking companies the opportunity to expand their business into our nation's third-largest trading partner."

The Bush administration said last week it would start the program once the Transportation Department's inspector general certifies safety and inspection plans.

A Teamsters spokeswoman said attorneys for the federal truck-safety agency told the union's lawyers they expect to get that certification Friday.