Orig:
http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/ore ... xml&coll=7

Tiny:
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Facing protests, day laborers move to organize
Immigration - An opponent says the main problem, illegal workers, is not being addressed
Friday, September 08, 2006
ESMERALDA BERMUDEZ

CORNELIUS -- A group of day laborers took steps this week to formally organize themselves, a move prompted by recurring protests over illegal immigration and complaints over disruptive conduct at a long-established day labor pickup site.

With help from a volunteer coordinator, the workers plan to police themselves to ensure the site is used solely for finding work, rather than as a spot where a few men sometimes dawdle, drink alcohol and urinate in public. They also plan to develop a response to opponents of illegal immigration who have protested at the site, trying to drive away potential employers.

"We want rules, and we want to respect those rules so we can work," said Jose Luis Hernandez Martinez, a day laborer who has looked for work on and off at the site behind the Latino social service agency Centro Cultural for more than a decade. "How we cooperate from now on will benefit all of us or hurt all of us."

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Wednesday night, a recently formed group of about 20 representatives from the day labor group, social service agencies, churches, the city, the neighborhood and Centro Cultural's board met for the second time to develop a support plan for the laborers.

But Rick Hickey of Oregonians for Immigration Reform said Thursday that the discussions don't address the main problem: illegal workers. He is among those who want to see the site shut down.

"They're going to try to make us all feel better by saying that these guys won't pee in the street anymore, but the fact is they're not authorized to be out there looking for work, period," Hickey said.

Typically, as many as 60 workers gather daily at the site, waiting for employers to drive up and hire them for work such as landscaping or construction.

The laborers have seen pressure from several sides. More than a year ago, Centro, which used to house and monitor the program, distanced itself from the group after funding dried up. After that, behavioral complaints began to surface. Police have intervened and tried to cut back on the day labor site hours.

In addition, a half-dozen or so members of Oregonians for Immigration Reform and the Oregon branch of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps began picketing the site last month. They say the day laborers -- many of whom they think are in the United States illegally -- are criminals who drive down American wages.

"This is not a Centro Cultural issue only," said David Molina, chairman of the work group and commissioner representing the Oregon Commission on Hispanic Affairs. "It's a much broader community issue. . . . We have people asking for work and willing to work. The community must get together and solve it with resources, support and training."

The work group plans to try to build a long-term day labor support program and will meet again Sept. 28. Meanwhile, Tracy Cruz, a resident who used to be the laborers' coordinator, will monitor workers.

Cruz will keep a list of workers and have them take turns when employers arrive at the site, which will operate from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. She will also offer training and resources, with help from the Cornelius Police Department and Voz, a Portland day labor program.

Sabino Sardineta, Centro director, said he was pleased by the support representatives had shown.

"It remains to be seen if the commitment to this social issue will continue," he said. "We've found a temporary solution for people who need the help. Still, I continue to insist that what will give this community the most force is education."

Esmeralda Bermudez: 503-221-4388; ebermudez@news.oregonian.com