Friday, August 20, 2010

Area Leaders Speak Out About the Jobs Crisis


Hear local Dallas leaders and workers speak out about unemployment in their own words. Hear how they are getting involved in the jobs crisis and some ways that we can all get involved.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Another Concerning Report About Working Conditions At Great Western Erectors - This Time in Arizona

The Coalition for Justice at Great Western Erectors and Arizona Interfaith Worker Justice released more concerning result about the operating practices of Great Western Erectors in Arizona. The Dallas Workers’ Rights Board has been a vocal witness concerning unjust working conditions at Great Western Erector worksites in Texas and advocates for a local group of striking iron workers employed by Great Western Erectors. This report confirms the findings of hearings held last Labor Day by the Dallas Workers’ Rights Board with a current Great Western Erectors employ here in Texas. The report also supports the conclusion that unjust working conditions are widespread and systemic within Great Western Erectors standard operating practices.

The Coalition for Justice at Great Western Erectors and Arizona Interfaith Worker Justice published the following findings from interviews with current employees of Great Western Erectors in Arizona:

“From these workers’ reports, the investigative delegation quickly discovered a disturbing pattern of injustice and abuse at Great Western Erectors. The workers discussed a number of problems, including lack of vocational or safety training, irregular hours, favoritism, low wages, a lack of affordable health care or other benefits, and insufficient drinking water on the job site.”

In light of the fact finding delegations interviews, the report recommends two steps necessary to promote just working conditions for workers at Great Western Erectors and, by extension, all their industry competitors:
”1. Phoenix area developers and general contractors should develop and enforce ethical policies in order to ensure contractors and subcontractors working on their sites provide all workers living wages, affordable benefits for the whole family, safe and healthy working conditions, adequate vocational and safety training, adequate drinking water, and the freedom to organize. These agents should be monitored on a regular basis for compliance.”

“2. Great Western Erectors, as an industry leader, should increase wages, provide affordable health insurance, adequate safety training, and respect workers’ rights to organize.”

Read the full report by clicking on this link: http://www.joergrieger.com/GWE%20Fact%20Finding%20Report%20Interfaith%20worker%20justice.pdf