The Challenge is to Clean Up Labor Ready

Today, three national organizations, the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) and the North American Alliance for Fair Employment (NAFFE) mark their entry into the campaign to clean up the day labor industry. Of particular concern to you are our actions in more than 35 centers across the United States that challenge Labor Ready to treat day laborers fairly.

Specifically, together with the national organizations mentioned, we are concerned with Labor Ready’s business model that seems to encourage branch managers to cut corners. Around the country workers complain about fees charged to cash checks, for transportation and for safety equipment. They also complain about long waiting times and unpaid labor.

Several organizations are meeting state attorneys general to urge investigations of wage and hour violations at Labor Ready branches. Recently the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a charge in Memphis (TN) alleging discrimination against certain full-time employees of the corporation. Additionally, there is concern about Labor Ready’s worker compensation liability, especially as it appears that the corporation is essentially self insured.

Until Labor Ready applies basic standards of fairness for its workers, challenges from community and labor organizations, like the hundreds represented by NCH, NDLON, and NAFFE, will continue to grow. As a corporation generating a scant 1% in profits, Labor Ready can ill-afford the public and legal scrutiny its abusive practices generate. We therefore call on you to pay close attention to Labor Ready’s management and labor practices. We urge you to use your power to change the corporation, or to divest from it if change is not possible. We look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

Sincerely
North American Alliance for Fair Employment