Wage theft, an issue that affects all of us

[TexasTowelie]

McALLEN — Just before midnight, three weeks ago, Jorge Rubio was at his home in Brownsville with his wife and three children when his ex-employer showed up at his door threatening to hire a “sicario” or hit man to kidnap him if he did not retract the lawsuits he filed against him.

Rubio filed two lawsuits in June against the owner of a chain of taquerias in Brownsville after they failed to pay him his last two days of work and a $200 severance hold. He also filed a police report after receiving multiple threats from his employer to drop the lawsuits, Rubio said.

Wage theft is a growing problem nationwide that costs workers as much as $50 billion each year, according to a 2014 report from the Economic Policy Institute. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Texas as one of two states, along with Mississippi, with the highest percentage of workers making at, or below, the federal minimum.

In the Rio Grande Valley, wage theft is also on the rise and one of the contributing factors to the region’s high poverty levels, according to Hector Guzman Lopez, spokesman for the Fuerza del Valle Worker’s Center in Alamo.

Read more: http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/wage-theft-an-issue-that-affects-all-of-us/article_8b8edd2c-54ff-11e5-8044-e3af10506fff.html

[Blus4u]

1. Wage theft is a relatively new concept...

to me, and deserves more exposure and scrutiny in order to stop it!
It is the preying on those who can least defend themselves.

BTW, Texas-since moving to the metroplex a year ago, I have noticed how thorough your coverage of TX related issues is and the impact of those issues on the national scene tend to eventually play out. Thanks for that!

Peace

[TexasTowelie]

2. You're welcome.

It's great to read that people are appreciative of my efforts. I developed various passions as I've progressed from graduating from a liberal arts university, working for the state, being actively involved in the public employees association, and working in the private insurance and IT industries. I also grew up in south Texas, have lived or spent time in most cities along I-35 from San Antonio to Dallas, and I've spent some time off I-35 in Brenham and Wharton so I've covered a decent portion of the state.

Texas is such a big state with so many media markets that a number of interesting stories aren't covered by local media. I hope that by keeping this group active it is informative and helps unite us when the elections roll around.

[Blus4u]

3. Having been a life long liberal..

..who has lived in red states my whole adult life, it is an up hill battle.

I hope you are young and full of energy, because TX is a big task!

Peace

[TexasTowelie]

4. I'm 50 now

so the energy level is waning and some health issues are keeping me from operating at top efficiency. I live in an area is dominated by Republicans so my role is limited to advocacy and showing up at the voting booth. I wish that we could take out the trash that is in Austin, our two senators and the majority of representatives in DC. I'll be satisfied if a portion of those wishes are achieved and elated if all of them come to fruition.

[Blus4u]

5. Me, I'll be 64 in 10 days.

I grew up in the Panama Canal Zone. My dad was the principal in a K-12 school in the mountains of sw Virginia in the mid 50's. He took a high school math teachers job in 1956 for more money in the CZ than the principal's job paid him in Virginia.

I attended CZ schools thru the middle of my sophomore yr of college and finished my undergrad degree in NC in 1973. I was devastated when Nixon defeated McGovern in 1972 and couldn't believe how dumb the country was to have re-elected that crook....but then, while finishing up a 3 week summer class in '73 I got to see Senator Sam Rayburn dismantle them all on the tube during the Watergate hearings.

I've raised 3 beautiful daughters who are all settled in good professions and married to successful men who respect them. I could not have done better in that regard. In April of this year I was diagnosed with esophageal & gastric cancer at stage 4, so I have been doing more radiation and chemo then I like to talk about, but I thank our current president for the ACA which is keeping us out of a card board box and still under roof.

I hope your health problems are not serious and your public service will help you retire with dignity. I have come to realize that I won't live to see this country straightened out and I'm ok with that.

Peace to you, TXT - you have my utmost respect!
I worry about exchanging too much personal info on a public site as this place can be cruel as I'm sure you have seen.