Editor: Every time I go by the Shell gas station at Howard and Washington streets, it makes me angry. These illegal workers are taking jobs from legal residents.There is over 10 percent unemployment in Petaluma and a legal resident can't work for the wages that these pick-a-day illegals can and still have a home.
If these jobs were going to a union hall, a young family starting out could made a living, But, when a criminal employer hires an illegal off the street, it is for short hours, no insurance, and for minimum wage or less.
I would like to see the street workers gone, a hiring hall set up by the unemployment development department where one could hire a person who is a verified legal resident, with safeguards for both employee and employer.
Your heart is in the right place, but it's time to stop allowing illegals to work in the United States. That includes farm labor. There is a program to hire persons from other countries, but the employer has to meet living and wage standards for these people. However, an illegal has no rights, and will work cheaper.
John Cheney, Petaluma
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