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Immigration reform group to hold day-labor protest Saturday in Cornelius
Friday, August 18, 2006
The Hillsboro Argus
Oregonians for Immigration Reform Vice President Rick Hickey announces the group will once again lead a protest against the hiring of illegal alien workers beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at 1110 N. Adair (10th Avenue and Baseline) in Cornelius.

"By hiring illegal aliens at day labor sites, and in most circumstances paying them under the table, companies are undercutting the wages of American workers, reducing their working conditions and stealing jobs from them," Hickey said.

"In addition, workers who are not carried on the official payroll of a company may not pay Oregon State taxes, and the employer may not contribute to the workmen's compensation program or to Social Security."

Hickey cited wage statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor.

"In 1980 the average wage paid to a worker in the home construction industry was $9.88 per hour. In 2005 the average wage was just $9.87 per hour. Because of competition from illegal alien workers, the wages of American workers in the home construction industry have been severely hit."

The reform group does not support the harassment of any day laborers.

"We are there to inform potential employers of the consequences of their actions in a courteous manner," Hickey said.