And, now Affirmative Action

[msgadget]

is a hinderance in the rebuilding of the Gulf. Anybody else seeing the irony of this crap?

I just saw on the news that medical supplies couldn't be delivered - we're talkin' bandages and splints - to Mississippi because of two missing permits...to drive bandages from Tenessee to Mississippee! Yet, submitting boilerplate regarding rights in the workplace is burdensome paperwork...?




The Labor Department has temporarily suspended government requirements that its contractors have an affirmative action plan addressing the employment of women, members of minorities, Vietnam veterans and the disabled if the companies are first-time government contractors working on reconstruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

While employment lawyers said it was not clear how strong an impact the exemption would have, the move comes as President Bush has tried to address the perception of unfairness in the government's response to the hurricane.

Under the rules that normally apply to companies hired by the government, businesses with more than 50 employees working on contracts for more than $50,000 must develop an affirmative action plan. But according to a memorandum on the Labor Department's Web site, dated Sept. 9, the goal of the exemption in the case of recovery work associated with Hurricane Katrina is to reduce the burden of paperwork on government contractors and so encourage more companies to jump into assisting with rebuilding from the storm damage.

The exemption is to last for three months, unless it is extended.

"It does not waive affirmative action requirements, it does not waive job posting requirements, it does not waive their obligation not to engage in discrimination," said Charles E. James, deputy assistant secretary at the Labor Department. "It's very, very limited."

The announcement by the Labor Department came the day after President Bush announced the suspension of a law that requires employers to pay the locally prevailing wage to construction workers on federally financed projects. The order applies to parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. In explaining the move, the proclamation stated that "the conditions caused by Hurricane Katrina constitute a 'national emergency.' "

The Labor Department affirmative action memorandum, which Mr. James signed, specifically states that laws against discrimination continue to apply to federal contractors, as do requirements that employers keep records and post notices stating that "equal opportunity is the law." The memorandum only affects the requirement that employers develop a written affirmative action program, Mr. James said.

[Karenina]

1. 3 words

cheap. Mexican. labor.

[msgadget]

2. It's like he has NO and its surrounds as a lab experiment

for conservative policies,from cheap labor down to school vouchers.

[Karenina]

3. EXACTAMUNDO!

[fortyfeetunder]

4. Is this supposed to be payback?

Like is this retribution for what Kanye West said?

:sarcasm: Would it help the black cause, *, if we had hog-tied Kanye and shut him up Mississipi style?

Sarcasm off, even if Kanye West had said nothing, we would be in the same predicament....

[msgadget]

5. If only it was that simple

As usual, they're saying one thing - we recognize the issue of race, class and poverty - but their actions say they're more concerned with how much the contractors can make. I urge you to listen to John Edwards' podcast if you have a chance.

http://oneamericacommittee.com/ You can d/l the mp3 or listen to the Podcast at iTunes.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Congress can not let this stand!

Pelosi is boycotting the "oversight" committee. Hope it gets some electronic media play! Since folks only watch the teevee it seems these days! :shrug:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/22/national/nationalspecial/22cong.html?pagewanted=all