Posted on 05/01/2006 2:51:34 PM PDT by Sterm26
Illegal immigrants made their point Monday: Without them, Americans would pay higher prices and a lot of work wouldn't get done.
As nationwide demonstrations thinned the work force in businesses from meat-packing plants to construction sites to behind the counter at McDonald's, economists said there can be no dispute within the context of the contentious immigration issue that the group wields significant clout in the U.S. economy.
"If illegal immigration came to a standstill, it would disrupt the economy," said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com. "It would lead to higher prices for many goods and services, and some things literally would not get done. It would be a major adjustment for our economy, for sure."
Another economist, Diane Swonk, said it would be an economic mistake to restrict entry and work rights when revising immigration policy.
"Given the obvious hardship of having illegal aliens flooding in, we also know they are critical to the functioning of the U.S. economy," said Swonk, chief economist at Chicago-based Mesirow Financial. "To be turning our backs on people who want to work is kind of silly in an environment where you've got tight labor markets and we're getting older and need younger people to work."
While the full impact of the one-day Day Without Immigrants boycott was hard to immediately gauge, it was palpable in some industries with a heavily Hispanic work force. On-the-job turnout was dramatically lower at some locales in the meat-packing, masonry, restaurant and landscaping businesses, and numerous firms closed for the day.
Mike Collins, who owns 500 acres of Vidalia onions in southeastern Georgia, was forced to shut down his packing shed and postpone his harvest when none of his 175 seasonal workers showed up.
"We need to be going wide-open this time of year to get these onions out of the field and we have nobody working today," he said. "Losing a day in this part of the season causes a tremendous amount of problems."
Tyson Foods Inc., the world's largest meat producer, shut five of nine beef plants and four of six pork plants in anticipation of widespread absences. Perdue Farms Inc., the nation's third-largest chicken producer, closed eight processing plants in seven states. Cargill Meat Solutions, the nation's second-largest beef processor, gave more than 15,000 workers the day off and closed plants in six states.
Gold Kist, another poultry producer, shuttered two North Carolina plants and operated its two Georgia facilities at reduced productivity after many employees failed to heed requests by the company's managers and CEO to show up despite the protests.
"We've tried to be open," said Wayne Lord, a vice president for the Atlanta-based company. "They were urged to come to work today because of our focus on satisfying our customer requirements."
Others publicly supported their employees' cause. Arthur Velasquez, founder and chief economic officer of Azteca Foods in Chicago, said he was "extremely proud" of his workers and noted that illegal immigrants keeps alive companies that need seasonal employees.
"It's a seasonal situation, so people need workers right then and there," he said. "And either that or they don't survive."
Many companies rediscovered what they already knew: They can't operate effectively without the extra help.
Work sites operated in the Washington, D.C., area by Beltsville, Md.-based Manganaro MidAtlantic, a concrete and masonry company where immigrants comprise up to 75 percent of the work force, were quiet Monday. John Livingston, a business developer for Manganaro, said his firm has not been able to fill its staffing needs without immigrants for more than a decade.
Low attendance also was the story at hotels in Indianapolis, construction sites in Miami and plant nurseries and landscapers across a wide area.
McDonald's Corp. said some of its employees participated in the rallies, prompting it to operate an unspecified number of its nearly 14,000 restaurants with limited crews, shortened hours or drive-thru service only. The Oak Brook, Ill.-based company did not provide further specifics but released a statement saying it strongly supports U.S. immigration reform.
Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at LaSalle Bank in Chicago, said the boycott underscores that immigration is not only political issue but a big economic one, too.
"The American economy really relies to a large extent on a growing labor force," he said. "There's a certain replenishment to the labor force that immigrants provide, and I think we have to be careful about taking steps that would hinder that process."
Below is the economic impact they're having with their 'boycott':
Now I just need to find a different type of food to enjoy...
All right--it's a draw--we both hate them equally...
Just got word. At 315 this afternoon, there were only about 6000 of the 50000 expected in Sacramento. hehehee...
If it makes you feel any better, I called one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. I wasn't sure what I would think if they were closed. Especially since they are within a block of one of the human chains. The owner answered (which isn't unusual, since he always works). When I asked hours, he said they would open at 11 and "if nothing goes wrong, we will be here until 9:30."
I think nationally it's not as big s the organizers hoped, though they will get many nice pics from places like LA. Wait and see.
These were kids -- 20 somethings -- who went to Vegas to party and not gamble. I spoke to a few of them. They rent a suite for a couple grand a night and then hit the clubs. One told me, "I work hard, if I blow $5,000 in a weekend it's worth it..."
Sorry Juan but this is one American who can get along DAMN FINE without you. Don't let the fence hit you in the @ss on the way out!
LV is a great place to kick back. Trick is, you can have almost as much fun on $1k as you can on $5k. A lot of people don't find that out. :-)
I agree with you.
That's why I'm wondering if illegals are boycotting welfare offices too.
It would save me money if they did.
Lets see - The guy who came to fix my AC unit showed up, my prescription got filled, and I was able to buy gasoline. Looks like that "clout" is mighty subjective.
Prediction - Mexican restaurants will experience a marked reduction of ''gringo'' customers.
Didn't notice a thing here. Oh I forgot. The company I work for, hires according to the LAW.
Below is the economic impact they're having with their 'boycott':
LOL! Wait until our boycott kicks in.
"Illegal immigrants made their point Monday"
I'll bet the article was written last Friday.
I've been out maybe 100 or 120 times - probably more -- over the years. Never for fun. Always for work. But it is a great place to do business.
"I'll bet the article was written last Friday."
Otherwise, the author would've said "today." Referring to the present day by name sounds peculiar.
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