Arrival of aliens ousts U.S. workers

Washington Times ^ | 04-10-06 | Jerry Seper

[Klickitat]

An Alabama employment agency that sent 70 laborers and construction workers to job sites in that state in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina says the men were sent home after just two weeks on the job by employers who told them "the Mexicans had arrived" and were willing to work for less.

Linda Swope, who operates Complete Employment Services Inc. in Mobile, Ala., told The Washington Times last week that the workers -- whom she described as U.S. citizens, residents of Alabama and predominantly black -- had been "urgently requested" by contractors hired to rebuild and clear devastated areas of the state, but were told to leave three job sites when the foreign workers showed up.

"After Katrina, our company had 70 workers on the job the first day, but the companies decided they didn't need them anymore because the Mexicans had arrived," Mrs. Swope said. "I assure you it is not true that Americans don't want to work.

"We had been told that 270 jobs might be available, and we could have filled every one of them with men from this area, most of whom lost their jobs because of the hurricane," she said. "When we told the guys they would not be needed, they actually cried ... and we cried with them. This is a shame."

[ClaireSolt]

So they subvert every labor law, and then they claim the right to sue. Give me a break. "Two class-action lawsuits are pending in federal court in New Orleans in which thousands of migrant workers said they never were paid, although many worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week and were required to remove toxic contamination from hurricane-ravaged buildings.

The big differance is that the agency has to comply with workman's comp, unemployment insurance, and probably bonding of workers.

[Coldwater Creek]

When we went to visit out children in So. Alabama, I was shocked to see the area just flooded with Mexicans. I do not know if they were legal or not.

I live in the Memphis area and if I had a choice I would hire Mexicans to do construction work. At least they show up and do a good job, not so with the locals.

I am in the restoration business and most of the time if I hire help I have to redo the job myself.

[Dane]

The big differance is that the agency has to comply with workman's comp, unemployment insurance, and probably bonding of workers

Every agency and contractor has to comply with that, but the story that isn't being told is that there are still a ton of jobs for construction in Katrina hit areaa.

[Leatherneck_MT]

There you go again

[tkathy]

A perfect opportunity for the republicans to go to the unions and say, "this will be the end of unions and the end of decent paying jobs". (which is the truth)

[Leatherneck_MT]

He doesn't bother to read, he just flames and attacks.

[Coldwater Creek]

Well then you had better find grounds for impeachment.

There is one thing that you had better understand loud and clear, and that is this President has kept you safe from another terrorist attack.

You are just like the Katrina whiners.

[Apple Pan Dowdy]

In defence of Dane, I can sort of see his point. Have you read this: The Future of North American Integration in the Wake of the Terrorist Attacks. If not, then you should!!

One Freeper so aptly posted in response to the above article: "If you read the article closely and review other articles on the CFR website you'll see that the U.S. Constitution will become voided by 2010 and a new constitution will be ratified to take it's place. Also a new tax will be imposed on U.S. citizens to solve economic imbalances that currently exist in Mexico. Also biometric monitoring will be mandatory for travel within the territory."

... and another posted: "For at least eight decades now the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) has been pushing globalism. Remember 'The New World Order' ... yeas, that right Bush 41"

I mentioned my fear of electing Bush because of this very reason (Globalism), in an email to Jim Robinson during the Primaries of Bush's first term, asking for his much valued opinion on the topic. I was told something to the effect of hush up on the topic because we MUST elect Bush to save the Nation from the Democrats. I am not sure now if I was right or wrong in doing so, but I followed Jim's advice and hushed up. And I worked tirelessly in Bush's election campaign and again in his re-election like we all did.

I am not in the "Bush lied" camp. Bush has always been very forthright and honest about what he is doing and we are allowing him to do it. He must sincerely believe that this is the best path for the nation.... but is it?

[Siena Dreaming]

Unemployment is incredibly low right now.

Yet such hysteria about American jobs. Sheesh.

[television is just wrong]

this does not look good for Pres Bush...

[Iscool]

I live in the Memphis area and if I had a choice I would hire Mexicans to do construction work. At least they show up and do a good job, not so with the locals.

I'd say you are not guessing on this one...You have experience here...

Here's a hint: pay decent wages, you'll get decent help...

[gunnedah]

Hilliary is for protecting the illegals just like the Democrats and a lot of Republicans in Congress.
Who is it marching in the streets? Illegals and people born and aligned with foreign countries. We are being overthrown by foreigners at the behest of our local leaders and I for one am not too sure it is not the time to take up arms!If you try to do it through the political process we will be out numbered before we can get it passed.

[MBB1984]

The article says differently. And, you offer no proof to the contrary only a conclusory statement.

You obviously are in a business that benefits from cheap illegal labor. However, please know that the oversupply of a labor force reduces wages of those in the lower economic echelon and increases the amount of American citizens in poverty. The illegals send their money back to their homelands while increasing local government costs for schools, translators, hospitals,etc. This results in increased costs to the community from a source that benefits only the employer. Lower income American citizens suffer the most. But you obviously could care less about more American citizens living in poverty due to the increased illegal labor supply as long as you get yours.

[television is just wrong]

Remember our House and Senate are about to commit the biggest crime against America and Americans by passing a travesty of a bill and we are helpless to do anything about it.

The illegal liberal aliens are allowed to hold our streets hostage and in massive numbers again and again and again and they aren't stopped.

Hundreds of thousands of people taking our streets in numbers that are absolutely outrageous and no one is stopping them, they are throwing bottles at Americans and no one is stopping them.

Their obscene numbers are NOT impressive they are outrageous and meant to intimidate us and to show how fast they can organize to attack.

WITH THE BLESSINGS OF OUR SELECTED, NOT ELECTED OFFICIALS...

[KevinDavis]

I would like to know where in the Constitution that native born Americans have a right to a job...

[kellynla]

"You are a native born American, how come you are not doing construction or picking vegetables?"

I and millions of others have done construction and farming for hundreds of years.

who the hell do you think built this country and farmed the land before your illegal friends from south of the border arrived?

maybe you should study a little American history before you embarrass yourself again...

[Dane]

I'd say you are not guessing on this one...You have experience here...

Here's a hint: pay decent wages, you'll get decent help..

MB, don't you just love it when people from behind a keyboard with no experience tell you how to run your business. It's like hillary's hubris.

BTW, I have no experience in construction but don't have the hubris to tell people who actually run construction companies or farms how to run their businesses.

[Dane]

You obviously are in a business that benefits from cheap illegal labor. However, please know that the oversupply of a labor force reduces wages of those in the lower economic echelon and increases the amount of American citizens in poverty

See reply #37 for the answer to your first sentence above and second labor is a commodity(like oil). I love it when people on Fr say they are willing to pay more for food, etc., but that is a crock.

Envirowhackos have been resricting the drilling of oil in the US for years(ANWR etc.etc) and now we see the results, higher gasoline prices and people on FR are the first to complain.

[grey_whiskers]

You are merely a troll.

[KevinDavis]

Well until there is bill that guarantees a that every native American has a right to a decent paying job, this argument is bunk.