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ABC never fails to disappoint - and they're at it again

Date Posted: June 8 2007

Tradesman Viewpoint

If you operate a construction company that relies on temporary workers whose citizenship is frequently found to be a "gray area" - then you probably share the goals of the Associated Builders and Contractors.

On May 25, the ABC - which is basically the arch-enemy of the unionized construction sector - released its own goals for immigration reform. It's safe to say that they don't call for rules to limit the exploitation of workers, as does the AFL-CIO.

What does the ABC want out of a new immigration policy? They believe reform must:

1) "Secure our nation's borders;

2) "Create a workable system that can be used by big and small employers alike to
determine an employee's legal status;

3) "Create a usable temporary worker program that will help the construction industry
meet the increasing labor demands our industry face;

4) "Allow well-meaning undocumented immigrants a means to earn lawful work status
without a mandatory return to their country of origin."

"We are hopeful that Senate Democrats and Republicans working together will produce what Americans are entitled to: an immigration reform package that serves our nation by ensuring the enforcement of our laws, the security of our borders and the prosperity of our economy," said ABC Chairman David Meyer.

It will be real news when the ABC produces a press release that says its affiliated contractors are willing to do their part to limit the hiring of illegals. Such as, making an effort to self-police their hiring, to create a permanent workforce and shun the use of temporary agencies, to pay prevailing wages to make jobs attractive to U.S. workers, and to put into place construction training programs that aren't seen as an industry joke.

But the self-serving goals of the ABC have nothing to do with improving the quality of life for workers, and everything to do with having the federal government open a sanctioned low-wage, low-skill employment system for their contractors.