Investigation reveals undocumented workers, unsafe conditions in (MI) oil spill cleanup

[Bozita]

Source: Michigan Messenger

Investigation reveals undocumented workers, unsafe conditions in oil spill cleanup
Subcontractor buses in hundreds for 100 hour weeks, OSHA safety violations
By TODD A. HEYWOOD 8/30/10 10:06 AM


BATTLE CREEK — An oil spill cleanup contractor from Texas has been busing in possibly hundreds of undocumented workers to Battle Creek to work on the cleanup of the Calhoun County oil spill — and having them work nearly 100 hours a week in unsafe conditions, an investigation by Michigan Messenger has found.

The Texas company, Halmark, has brought hundreds of workers to Battle Creek, putting them up in hotels and putting them to work cleaning oil-soaked islands and shorelines along the Kalamazoo river. The workers are expected to work 12 to 14 hour shifts, seven days a week, for which they receive $800 a week — in cash — a hotel room, and food while on the job sites.

After receiving an initial tip from a Halmark worker who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals, the Michigan Messenger visited the rally site on Saturday where the workers are picked up every morning. While speaking to about two dozen men there, half of them admitted to being undocumented workers. All of them asked not to be identified.

On Sunday, a busload of 150 new workers arrived by bus from Texas. The immigration status of these new workers is unknown, but the conditions under which they will work was confirmed by Halmark workers and by multiple photographs of the worksite.

Read more: http://michiganmessenger.com/41384/alleged-undocumented-workers-bused-from-texas-to-work-on-oil-spill-in-battle-creek

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I'm not a bit surprised.

[MichiganVote]

1. Er...we do have about 14% unemployment in this state assholes.

[Lightning Count]

5. They won't do it.

Apparently, this is more of the work that Americans won't do.

[MichiganVote]

8. Man, I really have to say the US is totally screwed by business interests.

[fascisthunter]

2. self-delete

[Arctic Dave]

3. Prison time for the owners. Long, long prison terms.

[Lightning Count]

6. He or she will just say they presented what appeared to be valid ID.

That is always the alibi.

[Proletariatprincess]

4. Prison labor in the Gulf clean up, now this....

slavery and exploitation: still the American Way. Are we beyond outrage anymore? Im so disgusted with my country. I really am ashamed to be an American.
Why does the US hate it's own workers?

[daggahead]

7. What a surprise ... NOT! n/t

[tpsbmam]

9. Aw, c'mon. Give them a break.

The owners were too busy preparing their American flags and rehearsing their patriotic songs for the Beck rally AND they also had to write fat checks to Republicans & buyable Democrats. You expect them to do all of that AND check their workers' documents? And really, why the hell should they comply with all of those ridiculous, burdensome laws -- it was probably a bunch of Democrats (i.e.,socialists) who got together and dreamed those up anyway. You can't expect them to do all they had to do and actually be patriotic by hiring Americans. Geez, folks -- get your priorities straight!!


Do I really need to add :sarcasm: ?

[tpsbmam]

10. Self delete. My computer burped & posted 2 copies of post. n/t

[alp227]

11. Same ol' song and dance exploiting workers who shouldn't even be working here to begin with

The employers should pay 6 figure fines and lose their licenses. Then send the undoc'd workers back to their native countries.