Teamsters chief Hoffa faults FAA and NAFTA, lauds Obama

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_561797.html

By Thomas Olson
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, April 11, 2008

A "hands-off" Federal Aviation Administration that lets airlines "do whatever they want" is to blame for the recent raft of flights grounded by American and other airlines, International Brotherhood of Teamsters General President James Hoffa said Thursday.

"Because of a cozy relationship with the airlines, (the FAA) is not pushing these people with safety requirements," Hoffa said during an interview with the Tribune-Review.

Yesterday, American Airlines canceled more than 900 flights served by MD-80 aircraft that turned up with faulty wiring. The carrier, the world's largest, had canceled more than 1,000 flights Wednesday and about 430 on Tuesday.

The FAA ordered a sweeping check of maintenance records at all airlines a month ago after criticism that fuselage inspections were missed on Southwest Airlines' Boeing 737s. The agency fined Southwest $10.2 million for continuing to operate the aircraft for three years anyway.

snip "It's a total disregard for the welfare of the workers and dog-eat-dog capitalism, which I do not believe in," Hoffa said.

NAFTA can be terminated "just like a labor agreement can be terminated or extended," he said. Obama's commitment to cancel NAFTA and his "credibility on trade issues" are main reasons the Teamsters decided to back Obama over Hillary Clinton, Hoffa said.

FULL story at link.

[leftofcool]

1. Obama has committed to "cancel" NAFTA?

[stillcool]

2. Hoffa's choice of word...

pitch your bitch at him. I believe the word Obama uses is "Amend"