A Politician's Crusade, More Truck Lobbying
Today, a lot of Americans think that lobbyists have great influence in politics. Stories go around of pork placed at the end of lengthy bills for the satisfaction of some special interest. Stories which impact was felt.
The best example of which is the tag-team of the influential Teamsters and other pro-union lobbyists clashing against anti union lobbyists over the FAA Re-authorization bill before Congress.
The house version of the bill, that was passed last year, gives Federal Aviation Administration a fund worth 54 billion in a span of three years. The House version of the said bill covers the U.S. Airline industry and contains a provision that would reclassify FedEx drivers. Once this is approved it would be easier for unions to organize airline workers, which is highly supported by the teamster and UPS, and FedEx fought against intensely.
A two-year, $35 billion Senate version of the bill doesn't have provisions that are pro-union in nature. Lawmakers from both chambers still need to negotiate a final version. Lobbyists for unions and industry groups are doing everything to influence the outcome.
The fight has reached hostile levels that FedEx Express, together with a number of lawmakers, are blaming UPS and the Teamsters for delaying the important FAA Re-authorization bill, which includes many safety initiatives required in the airline industry.
Airline-employee unions, on the other hand, are supporting a provision to make it harder for carriers to collaborate on certain routes, which unions declare can cost jobs in the U.S. The AFL-CIO is lobbying for a measure to allow U.S. inspections of overseas maintenance facilities, which some airlines use because they are more economical than U.S. Operations.
Imagine if there were more lobbyists who will get involved? Whether you have a negative or positive feeling towards lobbyists here, in Europe one politician has a different perspective.
In the House of Commons, Conservative MP Chris Kelly, is heeding on the trucking industry in England to more effectively lobby parliament.
An interview with Commercial Motor where Kelly, the son of the owner of the largest independent Scania dealer in United Kingdom, Keltruck Limited, said that the industry has not done enough to thwart gains made by rail and environmental lobbies.This was excerpted on Roadtransport.com
Chris Kelly really thinks that freight and road transport does not punch its weight. He told Commercial Motor, during the interview, that the industry must be more effective with its lobbying, and that it has always been an issue.
He said that he will do everything he can to support pro-trucking legislation, but he also called on the industry to step up its efforts.
The Conservative MP would be happy to see things like opinion-editorials in major national publications stating the importance of their industry is to the economy as a whole. He said that the anti-vehicle lobby has left them behind. There has been an anti-motoring agenda that would spark a fight when you challenge it.
Now imagine Rep. James Oberstar going around and encouraging more lobbying efforts these days? If we think the political process moves like a snail at times. Stop and think for awhile what it would be like if there were more special interests are thrown in the middle of the fray.
