Looking for a lousy job?

In Arkansas, you have the “right to work”

You may think you have the right to have a safe, quality job in Arkansas but you don’t. The “Right to Work” allows companies to hire non-union employees and set work rules as they please. To avoid work-related lawsuits and paying workers’ compensation, international corporations use third-party companies to provide the workforce.

The right to kill

In a 2016 interview, Ken Rainey said, “Nobody can understand what this is like… the pain — the feeling that you don’t have a leg, but it feels like you have a foot down there.” Rainey, a tree trimmer, was hired by Elite Temp Services to work the graveyard shift at the Little Rock Welspun oil pipe mill. After three nights on the job, without training or supervision, a 50-ft. steel pipe took his left leg and right foot. Rainey was never compensated for his injury; he was out of luck because he was a temp worker and not an employee. Welspun had protection from a tort suit for the wrongful death of Frederick Bogar in 2013. Arkansas Economic Development Commission said they gave incentives to Welspun but AEDC was not liable for his death.

Profits over people

Profit is an accounting concept used to keep track of revenues and expenses. What really matters is the difference between “short-term” and “long-term” profits. Short-term profits are made at the expense of the environment, climate, and people, and they only last a short time. Long-term profits require investments in people and communities, and the benefits last for a long time.

Arkansas governors have four years to create jobs and find money to run for office again. The choices are clear, travel the world selling the Natural State, or fund trade schools and projects for local communities.

Everyone needs money to pay bills, care for their families, and extra cash for emergencies. Having several skills and learning to share and trade are good traits. Create a job that you are passionate about and that helps others.

COVID life

Some people, germophobes and hermits, lucky to have a loving family and pets, have enjoyed the last 12 months. During the pandemic, clean surfaces and touchless services are required. Bowing is better than shaking hands. New products and services are waiting to be created to survive the pandemic. We are using tools to stay closer but at a distance.

Climate emergencies

Weatherization experts, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, cleanup crews, and many other trades available on short notice with supplies to help the community are in high demand.

Our homes were not built for extreme weather. Be prepared, find and fix the weak spots, and prepare a home manual to be ready for an emergency. We need subscription-based community quick response teams on standby for emergencies like the EVAC medical helicopters, as a way to share the costs.

Job creation is a myth

GOP policies and flawed economic thinking give corporations massive incentives and tax advantages, pollution permits, and anything they want in exchange for lousy jobs. Arkansas is not alone – Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and other poorer states invest in companies from India, China, Canada, and anyone else looking for permits to pollute and cheap non-union labor.

President Biden said last week, “Every worker should have a free and fair choice to join a union.” Unions have safety experts and conduct safety inspections. Arkansas’ “Right to work” is really a “Right to Die” and must stop.

Fossil fuel ecocide

The UK Drax group, with $6 trillion in yearly revenues, promises Arkansas jobs to get permits to pollute.

In 2007, Little Rock welcomed Welspun with fireworks, hoping for 300 new jobs. Welspun got millions of dollars from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission as incentives, advertised on their website.

On his first day in office, President Biden canceled the XL pipeline extension construction permit. Welspun is now asking for compensation from Arkansas due to the lost income from the XL pipeline extension cancellation. To continue exporting fossil fuels, the Arkansas GOP is protecting the pipeline industry with our taxes, health and lives.