Posted Jun 17, 2009, 2:28 AM
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Meh
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: there and back again
Posts: 57,324
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Report: Austin construction workers face dangers, low pay
http://www.statesman.com/news/conten...struction.html
Quote:
WORKER SAFETY
Report: Austin construction workers face dangers, low pay
Industry officials dispute findings, say safety is critical
By By Juan Castillo
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Though it robustly feeds the city's growth and economy — generating an estimated $3.5 billion-plus annually in wages alone — Austin's commercial and residential construction industry frequently puts workers' safety, health and financial well-being at risk, according to a study released today by a workers advocacy group.
Combining results from surveys with more than 300 Austin construction workers and industry-related data from federal and state agencies, the 68-page study, "Building Austin, Building Injustice," depicts an industry rampant with poor and dangerous working conditions. While it says that many builders, developers and contractors are model employers, others cut costs by not paying some workers for overtime, not paying some at all, misclassifying others as independent contractors, and by failing to provide proper safety equipment such as harnesses and helmets, violations of federal and state regulations.
In doing so, they shift the toll onto the public when low-wage workers have to depend heavily on government support, hospitals and charities for medical care and to make ends meet, the report said.
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