The Hill (DC), 01/16/2013 –
“Washington’s most powerful business lobby and prominent union leaders are discussing a joint push on immigration reform this year.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is in discussions with the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) about shared principles for reforming the immigration system, officials involved with the talks told The Hill.
“…Advocates for immigration reform say a team-up between business and labor would be a blockbuster development that could lend momentum to their cause.
“‘It bodes very well for the prospects for immigration reform in 2013,’ said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum.
“…Talks about an immigration proposal are occurring at the staff level at the Chamber and the AFL-CIO. One topic being debated is how best to treat temporary-worker programs, an issue that divided labor during the last attempt at immigration reform…
“…Both sides want to improve temporary-worker programs. Business wants more access to labor outside the country for jobs that they can’t find U.S. workers to fill. Unions, however, have worried that such programs can lead to low wages and poor working conditions for immigrant workers.
“…Unions have become much more aggressive on immigration in recent years, reflecting the growing diversity of their membership. Businesses have a strong interest in seeing the system reformed as well, often struggling to fill seasonal and high-skilled positions.”
To read the full article, please click here.
“Washington’s most powerful business lobby and prominent union leaders are discussing a joint push on immigration reform this year.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is in discussions with the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) about shared principles for reforming the immigration system, officials involved with the talks told The Hill.
“…Advocates for immigration reform say a team-up between business and labor would be a blockbuster development that could lend momentum to their cause.
“‘It bodes very well for the prospects for immigration reform in 2013,’ said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum.
“…Talks about an immigration proposal are occurring at the staff level at the Chamber and the AFL-CIO. One topic being debated is how best to treat temporary-worker programs, an issue that divided labor during the last attempt at immigration reform…
“…Both sides want to improve temporary-worker programs. Business wants more access to labor outside the country for jobs that they can’t find U.S. workers to fill. Unions, however, have worried that such programs can lead to low wages and poor working conditions for immigrant workers.
“…Unions have become much more aggressive on immigration in recent years, reflecting the growing diversity of their membership. Businesses have a strong interest in seeing the system reformed as well, often struggling to fill seasonal and high-skilled positions.”
To read the full article, please click here.
