Possible government closure is politics at its worst

Same stuff, different year. It's certainly true when it comes to a budget crisis in D.C.

If it seems like Congress has been down this federal government shutdown road before, that's of course because it has. As usual, it is one issue that a few lawmakers have gotten a bee in their bonnet about that is causing this. And they are willing to close the doors to the Capitol and throw millions out of work temporarily to prove their point.

Workers protested the last federal shutdown in October 2013.

Even though the public has time and again shown it doesn't support government shutdowns for whatever reason, that isn't stopping the most conservative elements of Congress from pushing for it. And if those on Capitol Hill decide to do it again, it will be yet another shining example of broken government.

As The Fiscal Times wrote:

Washington begins this week on high alert, with the very real prospect that federal workers will be sent packing, government buildings and museums will be shuttered and national parks and the Washington Monument will be closed to the public in a week and a half unless both sides come to their senses. Politics are as fractured as ever today, with right wing Republicans not only battling with President Obama and the Democrats over spending issues and the Iran nuclear deal, but also threatening to topple their own leaders.

The Teamsters, as part of our "Let's Get America Working" campaign, have stressed the need for government to work in a bipartisan manner to improve the lives of workers and the economy. Any move that shutters the government, obviously, doesn't help accomplish that goal. In fact, it just makes people more angry.

This union is pushing for rebuilding, repairing and reinvestment not only because it will improve infrastructure, but as a way to rebuild and repair the trust between government and workers by reinvesting in people that have and can continue to make this country great. Better pay will lead to more spending and improve our quality of life. That way we all win.

Nobody wins, however, when the federal government is shut down. Not politicians, not corporations, not the economy. And certainly not everyday Americans just trying to support their families.

Teamster airline mechanics fight for safety

Members of the Teamsters Aviation Mechanics Coalition (TAMC) came to Washington last week to air their grievances and fight to improve airline safety.

TAMC members held several Capitol Hill meetings.

TAMC Chairman Chris Moore led the effort to meet with a bipartisan group of policy experts and legislative staff. He was joined by International Representative and TAMC Board Member Bob Fisher; Gary Kagel, a member of the TAMC Steering Committee from Local 769; Tom Reid, a TAMC Steering Committee member from Local 210; and Greg Unterseher, a business agent from Local 1224.

The TAMC requested that global drug testing standards be brought into uniform parity so that testing can be fair and equal for all airline mechanics.Airline repair stations exist all over the world and many carriers based in the U.S. outsource their repairs to foreign countries.Each nation has different standards for their drug testing, some of which are lower that the standards in the U.S.

Additionally, the TAMC lobbied for a moratorium on the certification of new repair stations worldwide following three consecutive reports by the U.S. Office of the Inspector General detailing an extensive failure by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to properly oversee existing repair stations.The TAMC believes that if the FAA cannot oversee existing repair stations, new ones should not be certified until all of the existing stations are able to be examined for compliance on a regular basis.

Moore was pleased with the meetings and is hopeful that action on these items can happen soon:

Our number-one goal is to improve safety and conditions for airline mechanics and the flying public. To that extent, these past two days have been full of productive and informative meetings with policy makers across the political spectrum and I’m hoping we can get some attention paid to these issues.

Captain David Bourne, Director of the Teamsters Airline Division, applauded the efforts of the TAMC to pressure lawmakers on airline safety issues:

I’m grateful for the work of the entire TAMC. The FAA needs to remember their commitment to the safety of the flying public. The efforts of the TAMC are important in keeping the spotlight on these issues.

The TAMC represents more than 18,000 aviation mechanics and related workers at seven airlines, including United, ExpressJet, Frontier, Horizon Air, NetJets, Piedmont Airlines and UPS. The Coalition will continue to fight for good working conditions for airline mechanics and safer skies.
For more information, visit www.teamsterair.org/tamc.

Fast track is going off track in the House

Teamsters express their distaste for fast track at a D.C. rally.

For weeks, supporters of fast track trade authority that would speed proposed deals like the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) through Congress have expressed confidence they have the support within the hallowed halls of Capitol Hill to get it approved.

The reality, however, is much different. Not only are Democrats overwhelmingly opposed to fast track, but a growing number of Republicans, especially in the House, are expressing doubts. And Politico reports it could end up sinking efforts to back a deal that would ship U.S. jobs overseas:

The House is currently dozens of votes short of being able to pass legislation that would allow President Barack Obama to send trade deals to Congress for fast approval, according to senior lawmakers and aides in both parties, imperiling a top White House priority for the president's final years in office.

At this point, upward of 75 House Republicans could vote against trade promotion authority if it comes up for a vote in the coming weeks, according to aides and lawmakers involved in the process. Some of the lawmakers fear job losses in their districts from free trade; others distrust Obama and oppose giving him more power.

It is now more apparent than ever there is bipartisan opposition to fast track, and members are not backing down. Lawmakers can see that the trade vehicle will stop them from making changes to TPP that would jeopardize American workers, lower their wages and bring unsafe food and products to U.S. shores. Then there's the fact that it does nothing to stop currency manipulation that hurts the sale of American goods or lawsuits by foreign corporations against this country. It's even making one 2016 presidential candidate rethink her support for the deal.

It's time for fast track backers to admit that the reason the legislation doesn't have support is because it isn't a very good.

Slow down on fast track now!

Teamsters raised their opposition to fast track at a Capitol Hill rally last week.

Congress has had years to put together a fast-track bill. But now that one is here, pro-corporate lawmakers are moving as quickly as possible to get the measure through Capitol Hill.

With the House Ways & Means Committee as well as the Senate Finance Committee holding hearings on the legislation this week, it is clear many want to "fast track" fast track trade promotion authority. It doesn't seem to matter what's in the bill or what it will ultimately mean for tens of millions of working Americans.

If approved, this legislation is the vehicle that will ultimately be used to push the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) through Congress. You know, the TPP, that still largely secret (to most of us) trade deal that will ship jobs overseas, lower wages at home, and result in unsafe food and products being imported onto our store shelves.

Those on Capitol Hill shouldn't move with all deliberate speed just to ram a measure through before the public can see it. It should be vetted by the public as well as lawmakers. After all, if supporters truly believe fast track will enable good trade deals that will benefit this country, they shouldn't mind giving people a little extra time to figure out what it's all about.

But in a surprise to no one, that's not happening. Instead, supporters know that if they have any chance to get this through, it has to be done quickly. Despite the protestations of those who say the Congress needs to take more time to review the fast-track bill, corporate cronies are moving ahead.

It's not too late to let those on Capitol Hill know they should slow down on fast track. Reach out to your elected officials and tell them it's not acceptable to push through this legislation or lame trade deals like the TPP without adequate review. U.S. workers shouldn't have to pay the price for more big business profits.