National COSH op-ed in Mercury News: seeking rights for temp workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.coshnetwork.org/national-cosh-op-ed-mercury-news-seeking-rights-temp-workers

Submitted by coshnet on Fri, 07/18/2014 - 10:13

Milpitas temps ask: Who's their real boss

By Mary Vogel
Special to the Mercury News
July 15, 2014

Who's your boss?

For an increasing number of American workers, it's a hard question to answer. To cut costs and avoid liability, more companies are hiring workers on a temporary or contract basis. More than 17 million people, 12 percent of the U.S. workforce, are now employed as temps, contract or freelance workers.

If you're a temp, which company is responsible for your pay, your schedule — and your right to a safe workplace? The agency that hired you, or the company that hired the agency?

The right answer, according to a group of temporary workers at a recycling plant in Milpitas, is both. They get paid by one company — Leadpoint Business Services — but work under the direction of a different one — Browning Ferris Industries (BFI), which operates the facility.

FULL story at link.