Union made

[Nathan Newman]

Actually, if the Dems were really strategic, they would attach an amendment
expanding the Project Labor Agreement for the Energy policy to the whole
federal government.  If would be interesting to see if the GOP could vote
against labor on that one, then keep their coalition together afterwards.

Nathan Newman
nathan at newman.org
http://www.nathannewman.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "pms" <laflame at mindspring.com>
To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 2:00 AM
Subject: Union made


Wednesday August 1, 1:12 AM

Bush beleaguered energy plan attracts crucial labor support, vote expected



WASHINGTON, July 31 (AFP) -
The powerful US Teamsters truckers union threw its weight behind President
George W. Bush's administration controversial national energy policy
Tuesday, supporting oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Teamster leader Jerry Hood spoke up for the policy as a significant
job-creating measure, as Republican leaders scurried in a last-ditch effort
to pass the embattled policy which the House of Representatives is expected
to vote on as early as Wednesday.

"We support the Securing America's Future Energy Act, particularly opening
up ANWR, because it puts our people to work," Hood, a Democrat, told
reporters.

But Democratic lawmakers will likely add amendments to the controversial
issue of drilling in the ANWR, as well as push for increased conservation
measures such as closing the loopholes allowing SUVs, pickups and minivans
to have lower fuel efficiency levels than cars.

Bush, a former oil executive, has pushed hard to open the Alaskan reserve to
oil and gas exploration to reduce US dependence on imported oil.
Environmentalists and politically moderate legislators have put up a
firewall of resistance to the proposal.

And the drop in energy prices since Bush announced his ambitious energy plan
two months ago has eased the pressure for lawmakers to pass the president's
energy proposals which critics have labeled as environmentally unfriendly
and pro-industry.

Analysts say that with the crisis atmosphere easing, the White House is less
likely to win passage of some controversial measures such as drilling in the
ANWR and encouraging more nuclear energy.

House Republican leaders acknowledged they had scored a political coup by
attracting the Teamsters, a traditionally Democratic union, to their cause.

Asked what would differentiate the current energy bill from previous failed
proposals calling for opening up the refuge, House Majority Whip Republican
Tom DeLay answered: "Mr. Hood is the difference."

"Because of its tremendous potential, opening ANWR could create 735,000 jobs
nationwide -- and at least 25,000 jobs would go to the Teamsters working
directly in oil production related jobs," DeLay said.

US Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said the leaders of the Brotherhood of
Carpenters and Boilermakers unions had joined the Teamsters and were
"working shoulder to shoulder with the administration to get the president's
energy plan through Congress."

DeLay and Hood insisted there was enough support for the bill to pass the
House and move on to the Senate.