Posted on 07/08/2006 8:08:43 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - For workers like Jose Fernando Pedraza, the closure of the day labor center has created hardship.
"I've only had one job since it closed,'' Pedraza said in Spanish on Thursday.
The center, which had been set up near the corner of Grove Avenue and Arrow Route, closed June 30.
This week, workers have waited along the east side of Grove, north of Arrow, for employers seeking short-term workers for jobs in trades such as landscaping, construction and general labor.
Without the center, workers said, getting jobs has become difficult.
Gilberto Ruiz, 68, of Ontario, does masonry work and for the past three years the center helped him find work.
"(June 30) was the last day that I worked,'' Ruiz said in Spanish. "It's as if the employers have disappeared.''
Through the center, workers found jobs in an organized fashion. They also felt safe because someone knew where and for whom they were going to work.
In addition, laborers knew they had a place to come to for advice if an employer tried to back out of agreed-upon wages.
Through the center, employers "were sure (the worker) was a good person,'' Ruiz said.
There is a great need for a center, workers said this week.
Jorge Cervera, 52, of Ontario, is a carpenter and mason who periodically would find jobs through the center.
"We'd like to find a way to have the center reopen,'' said Cervera, adding that it may require the support of the community at large to persuade local authorities to reopen the center.
"What we'd like is for the center to open again, if not in the same place then in another place,'' Ruiz said.
Ruiz said he and other workers have discussed contributing a monthly fee that could go toward funding a new center.
Cervera and others said day laborers are honest people trying to earn an honest wage. But the workers worry that criminals may try to mix among the workers and create problems for them.
Ruiz said he hopes local officials would consider taking steps that would result in the opening of a new center.
City Council members authorized the opening of the center in September 2003. The plan involved establishing the facility on land provided by a neighboring business and having a nonprofit Nonprofit TOUCH Ministries had run the center since December, but the person who was on the site daily was asked by the organization's board of directors to instead focus her efforts on the ministry. In addition, the owner of the property now has plans to build on it.
Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Bill Alexander said the city is going to make every effort to address the situation but it's going to take more than just the city to find a viable solution.
"We're going to keep trying to find an answer,'' he said.
It's not easy for most cities and nonprofit organizations to come up with funding for such an endeavor, he said.
Neighboring cities, charitable organizations, along with groups who use the labor could contribute, Alexander said.
"The people using (the workers) have all the advantages and none of the responsibility,'' Alexander said.
It's time to find a way for the employers to help address the situation, he said.
The city's regulations permit people to seek employment on the city's streets as long as they are not creating a traffic hazard, interrupting traffic flow or going onto private property, Alexander said.
Upland police have also been patrolling the area because Grove is the city limits between their city and Rancho Cucamonga.
Upland police Sgt. Alan Ansara said officers on patrol are aware the center has closed and will be monitoring the area as city regulations prohibit people soliciting work from the street.
Interesting article in the sense that the author never once mentions anything about the legal status of the workers in question.
I don't understand the good mayor's problem. The city can open up a center, fully funded by the contractors, who must be registered with that office; and match up workers having certifiable ID.
The workers are registered. Their work history is recorded and all appropriate taxes are paid.
It's kinda like having a real job and all the responsibilities accruing to both the worker and the employer.
Oh just great. They'll migrate up here next.
It's those last two words: certifiable ID. Illegals don't have 'em.
Maybe they decided it was better to pay a little more and hire a licensed, trained legal mason. That way, if the wall collapses, they might be able to find the guy. He wouldn't be a random anonymous dude hired for a day from a street side.
But I guess that's because applicants are supposed to have valid social security numbers. Maybe they even check them via computer.
I once visited one of these "hiring halls" (1970s) and accidently mixed up a couple of digits on my number. It took their computer all of 30 seconds to determine the number didn't match my name.
Yet with 30 years newer technology, it is just impossible to verify whether or not someone is legally eligible to work in the United States. < / sarcasm>
Well, illegal ivaders of my country, go home, fix your government there and stay home unless you plan on coming here legally, in which case you won't need "day labor centers" which are only for illegals.
How about in Mexico? The people of RC aren't going to scream for it's reinstatement.
"It took their computer all of 30 seconds to determine the number didn't match my name."
In the 70s we were fined $50 if we made a mistake in name spelling or SS# on a report.
Sounds like some large employer greased a congressmans palm to get the SS adminastration to drop the penalty.
"Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Bill Alexander said the city is going to make every effort to address the situation but it's going to take more than just the city to find a viable solution. "
HA! Bit of a problem is it? Go ahead and try it Mr. Mayor. Set yourself, the city, and the employers up for RICO prosecution!
Frankly, I'm surprised that they are even ALLOWED, by law, to check or question whether or not the number provided is valid.
Not only do immigration laws need to be enforced, those that have been created to protect and enable the illegals need to be changed because the same that protect and enable the illegals would also protect and enable a terrorist .
So am I, and I'm here legally, too.
I'd love the opportunity to work for cash, under the table, no taxes, no questions asked. But if caught, both my employer and I could go to jail. But illegal Mexicans are encouraged to do that (and are held up as the pillar of the American economy), and can expect immunity from the law.
And go in competition with Employment Agencies? It is the placement agency that is responsible for W/C, payroll taxes and governmental reporting. Were I a local Employment Agency I would sue for unfair competition.
"Illegals don't have them"
Was I to subtle for you?
Who said employment agencies have to be protected? If they wanted the business of alien labor they are very well suited to do it.
Shut up about suing. Get out and compete for the business.
Employment Agencies are required by law to verify legal residency status for temporary employees. I'm not suing anyone.
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