By: Matthew Casey
Oct. 1 marks the start of a new year for the federal government. And immigration officials have already been processing requests from business owners who want to hire foreign guest workers through the tiny H-2B visa program. In Part 1 of a Fronteras Desk special report on labor and migration, the story of a Arizona-based drywall company that turned to H-2B labor as the economic recovery began and it’s share of the market grew.
Vicente and Mario Moran climbed step ladders in unison, and held a heavy board over their heads. The cousins, who work for the company Paul Johnson Drywall, were in Goodyear, toiling on what will eventually be a senior living center.
“One board will wear you out,” Vicente said. “So you’ve got to be special kind of crazy to do this job.”
Hanging vertical drywall is hard work. Fastening it to the ceiling is even tougher. From the top of their step ladders, the men lifted the drywall in to place. Then they held it up with one hand, reached for their tool belts with the other, and started drilling in screws.
A family of Mexican immigrants, relatives showed Vicente and Mario this business. The entry level wage is around $27,000 a year. Top workers earn more than $100,000.
Read More >> https://fronterasdesk.org/content/704241/arizona-construction-company-eyes-future-no-guest-workers
No comments:
Post a Comment