Illegal worker issue on ThyssenKrupp site not going away

Last Update: 5/11 6:31 pm



(MOBILE, Ala.) May 11 - Are ThyssenKrupp contractors hiring illegal workers? A local labor group says TK is guilty, and that group is not backing away from the issue. The labor group has spoken before the city council and today, to county commission. As NBC 15's Andrea Ramey tells us, the group is demanding accountability.

Local labor leader Donnie Adams has become a familiar face around Government Plaza. Whether he's addressing city council or county commission, his message stays the same: "We want some accountability."

Adams claims ThyssenKrupp contractors are bringing illegal workers on site.

"There's people unemployed, can't get a job here and there's jobs being given to out of state workers and illegal aliens," said Adams.

It appears local leaders are listening to what Adams is saying. Commissioner Ludgood wrote a letter to ThyssenKrupp officials asking their contractors to electronically authenticate all the workers on site. The mayor has written a similar letter, and Commissioner Mike Dean says he plans on meeting with company officials next month.

"Are you concerned that there are illegal workers on the site?" asked Ramey.

"I'm concerned but the County Commission can't be all things for all people. We need to let the federal government do its job. That falls under their jurisdiction. We're gonna watch," said Dean.

In a written statement, Thyssen Krupp said - "While our contractors are legally responsible for immigration compliance in the hiring of their employees, we take this issue very seriously." ThyssenKrupp says it even trains contractors to make sure they're meeting their legal obligations. But Adams says he doesn't think the company is going far enough and plans on pushing this issue to the highest levels of government.

The trades group says it plans to take its protest to the ThyssenKrupp site next week. The group has also scheduled meetings with state elected officials.


http://www.nbc15online.com/news/local/s ... pOUVg.cspx