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kpete

(71,901 posts)
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 02:00 PM Aug 2012

RNC Convention Workers Being Paid Below Minimum Wage

Source: Huffington Post

RNC Convention Workers Being Paid Below Minimum Wage

TAMPA, Fla. -- During these past four days at the RNC convention, janitors have worked around the clock picking up after delegates, conservative stars like Ann Coulter and Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), and the thousands of reporters in cavernous filing rooms. And many are doing so making less than minimum wage.

Carolyn Walker said she has been cleaning the convention center for 13 years. She had been making $8 per hour until a few years ago, when the cleaning contract went to another company, Cleanevent USA. The new company meant a new, downsized paycheck. She's now making minimum wage -- $7.67 per hour. But that wasn't the only hit to her wallet.

Walker said the company charges her $6 per week for uniforms. "It stinks to tell you the truth," she said. "We work very hard." It effectively means she's making less than Florida's minimum wage.

Larry Gilmore, 32, and Jean Baptiste, 27, recounted similar hits to their paychecks by Cleanevent. Baptiste said he's charged $11 per week for uniforms -- a thin blue short-sleeve shirt and dark pants.



Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/31/rnc-convention-workers-minimum-wage_n_1844836.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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RNC Convention Workers Being Paid Below Minimum Wage (Original Post) kpete Aug 2012 OP
The face of the 'New, GOP America'. sinkingfeeling Aug 2012 #1
Yup, gotta penalize the 'parasites.' freshwest Aug 2012 #6
This is the world they want. nolabear Aug 2012 #2
in colorado, if you are required to wear a uniform, they must provide it for you. not in FL? pasto76 Aug 2012 #3
give them time they will get around to Colorado.... movonne Aug 2012 #12
The Last Time I Had Direct Knowledge DallasNE Aug 2012 #32
Company store bullsh*t xxqqqzme Aug 2012 #4
You think that next week at the DNC will be any better? Earth_First Aug 2012 #5
Let's hope it is. truthisfreedom Aug 2012 #7
Yeah, that's why they had the last one in Denver geardaddy Aug 2012 #27
Where's the organizers, where's Trumpka and his AFLCIO, where's the sit down and block xtraxritical Aug 2012 #31
It wasn't obvious?--- Marthe48 Aug 2012 #8
You get paid less, Mitt gets paid more Blue Owl Aug 2012 #9
That's $312 per year for uniforms......... mrmpa Aug 2012 #10
... at the $6/wk rate of theft. At the $11/wk rate it is $550 per year. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2012 #26
That is bulls***. Minimum should mean minimum - no exceptions. reformist2 Aug 2012 #11
Time to unionize! Remmah2 Aug 2012 #13
K and R nt.. Stuart G Aug 2012 #14
Who really owns the cleaning company? beachgirl2365 Aug 2012 #15
Maybe the Amway family? SoapBox Aug 2012 #17
It appears to be a subsidiary of one "Spotless" corporation JHB Aug 2012 #19
I'm so surprised! SoapBox Aug 2012 #16
The 1% Republicans are such cheap scuzzbags Berlum Aug 2012 #18
Yup! And that is how they made their millions/billions... SoapBox Aug 2012 #22
This sums up Florida and the Tampa Convention Center... rexcat Aug 2012 #20
Let's hope they'll sue. sakabatou Aug 2012 #21
True to form, the republicans practice their policy, not what they preach. liberal N proud Aug 2012 #23
If "you people" want to earn more, They_Live Aug 2012 #24
If this is fact than welcome to the new America by Iliyah Aug 2012 #25
and those uniform companies that provide the uniforms and the cleaning for the employees ...... Botany Aug 2012 #28
You just can't make this stuff up. Peter1x9 Aug 2012 #29
I wonder how these executives live with themselves when they do crap like this. gtar100 Aug 2012 #30
Perfect oldsarge54 Aug 2012 #33
K&R! Omaha Steve Aug 2012 #34

DallasNE

(7,392 posts)
32. The Last Time I Had Direct Knowledge
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 05:51 PM
Aug 2012

Was 20+ years ago and the employer paid for the uniform but if you left their employment in less than 6 months they would deduct the cost of the uniform from your last pay check. That was pretty common back then. Not sure if that policy remains in effect today, however.

Earth_First

(14,910 posts)
5. You think that next week at the DNC will be any better?
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 02:15 PM
Aug 2012

North Carolina is a right-to-work state as well, the lowest union membership in the country.

You think it hasn't been "100 people are standing in line for your job, sir/m'am; get back to work or there's the door"

Not a *single* union hotel in Charlotte.

geardaddy

(24,924 posts)
27. Yeah, that's why they had the last one in Denver
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 04:03 PM
Aug 2012

because of the union hotels.

Why go somewhere without union hotels?

 

xtraxritical

(3,576 posts)
31. Where's the organizers, where's Trumpka and his AFLCIO, where's the sit down and block
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 05:33 PM
Aug 2012

the entrance protests by union members? What are they doing for the dues they collect, comfy collective bargaining sessions at fancy hotels with management having drinks? I see union members doing nothing much. I'm sorry to be so negative but that's my view from here.

Blue Owl

(49,938 posts)
9. You get paid less, Mitt gets paid more
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 02:31 PM
Aug 2012

Yet you pay more taxes, while Mitt pays less. Behold the GOP.

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
10. That's $312 per year for uniforms.........
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 02:34 PM
Aug 2012

it should be mandatory for the company to pay for what is mandated. What next? They'll charge them $10 per week for cleaning supplies.

At a decent uniform store for $312, the employee could get at least 4 pairs of pants 4 shirts, a jacket and shoes.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,790 posts)
26. ... at the $6/wk rate of theft. At the $11/wk rate it is $550 per year.
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:29 PM
Aug 2012

It's theft from working people to get around minimum wage laws.

 

beachgirl2365

(111 posts)
15. Who really owns the cleaning company?
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 02:59 PM
Aug 2012

Who really owns the cleaning company?...... I wouldn't be surprised if the company was owned by Bain or the Koch brothers, or any of the other billionaires that are bankrolling Mittens!

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
17. Maybe the Amway family?
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:01 PM
Aug 2012

...Ms. "Over Paid" could use Amway products to do the cleaning! Of course, she would need to purchase them herself!!

JHB

(37,133 posts)
19. It appears to be a subsidiary of one "Spotless" corporation
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:07 PM
Aug 2012
Cleanevent - A Spotless Company
At Cleanevent, cleaning and waste management are what we do best.
Our offices around the world have managed hundreds of projects, large and small, over the past twenty years. From intimate gatherings, to community venues, and many of the world’s largest sports and leisure events.
http://www.spotless.com/cleanevent/

About Us
Spotless is an international services company specialising in outsourced facility management.
With revenues of around US$ 2.8 billion and operations in 30 countries, whether you require a single service or a package of services, Spotless can assist.

We are a market leader in the strategic management and provision of facility maintenance, asset management, catering, cleaning and laundry support services.

Our 40,000 staff deliver 30 million service hours a year into industry sectors including health, defence, resources, leisure sport and entertainment, education, commerce and industry, government and retail.

With our clever ideas and talented people we can help you increase your productivity and reduce costs without compromising safety, even in the most complex workplaces. The result is more efficient, more flexible services every time.

http://www.spotless.com/About-Us/About-Us.htm

So basically an international money-siphon chintzing the people who do the actual cleaning for the benefit of the cash flows of its stockholders.

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
16. I'm so surprised!
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:00 PM
Aug 2012

oh...no I'm not.

And I assume that is $7.67 BEFORE taxes? Even after taxes that luxury wage must put her in the upper ranges of the "middle class"? Right?

Not!

In the eyes of the Thugs, Bullies and Baggers, she is still overpaid...why can't she just suck it up like China and India? Maybe 50 cents per DAY?

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
22. Yup! And that is how they made their millions/billions...
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:09 PM
Aug 2012

on the backs of workers.

I always wonder...why, workers don't stand up more...protesting or VOTING?!?

Too much ClusterFuxs "News" I guess.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
20. This sums up Florida and the Tampa Convention Center...
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:08 PM
Aug 2012
http://www.tampaconventioncenter.com/includes/content/docs/media/General-Building-Policies-FY2012---REVISED.pdf

The attached policies and guidelines will assist in planning your event. Many policies are established for safety reasons or are required by law. We strive to be flexible and creative in everything we do, and are always open to new and different ideas. Florida is a right to work state and not subject to union restrictions. This assists you from a cost standpoint, and it allows us the flexibility to more easily accommodate your individual event needs.


Fuck Florida!

edited for spelling

They_Live

(3,222 posts)
24. If "you people" want to earn more,
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:16 PM
Aug 2012

you'll just have to work more, take a pay cut whenever I want a pay raise, and stop all your drinking of alcohol, smoking, and cavorting.

Iliyah

(25,111 posts)
25. If this is fact than welcome to the new America by
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 03:22 PM
Aug 2012

yours truly the Party of Greed. I hope there were no child laborers, GOD forbid, and yes I'm talking the Newt.

Botany

(70,294 posts)
28. and those uniform companies that provide the uniforms and the cleaning for the employees ......
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 04:19 PM
Aug 2012

..... which the employees pay for out of their own pockets often give kick backs to the
companies they provide the uniforms to management personal in the form of of vacations,
condos, and cruises. A landscape company out of Cleveland, OH called Yardmaster,
used to (i don't know if they still do) hire a company that provided uniforms and cleaning
services for the employees at the rate of $12 or $20 per week ...... senior people at the
company used to get "comped" trips and vacations all the time.

This is an industry based on getting the working poor to pay for the perks of the rich.

It should be outlawed ....... if a company wants you to wear a uniform then they should
pay for it or at least let you buy and it and clean it yourself. If you have no ethics you can
make money on the poor and it is not just republicans that do ti either.

Peter1x9

(311 posts)
29. You just can't make this stuff up.
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 04:41 PM
Aug 2012

They won't be happy until 99% of the people are penniless, while the 1% owns absolutely everything.

gtar100

(4,192 posts)
30. I wonder how these executives live with themselves when they do crap like this.
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 04:58 PM
Aug 2012

Probably a question for human history. There were those who worked on the slave ships and those who kept slaves and forced them to do hard labor through threats of violence. Can't be too hard for these modern entrepreneurs to stiff workers for $6.00 or $11.00 a week for what should be a company expense, even though they pay the workers *MINIMUM* wage.

Remember, if they're willing to pay you minimum wage, they're willing to pay you less.

oldsarge54

(582 posts)
33. Perfect
Fri Aug 31, 2012, 06:00 PM
Aug 2012

Just goes to show the Republicans put the mouth where their money is. That is just the way they want it to go. Pay low, and bitch about "them" not paying taxes.

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