Senator Ted Kennedy, Rep. Sarah K. Peake, Congressman Bill Delahunt

Claire Bangert, Candidate Sarah Peake, Gail Bangert, & John Bangert

http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Pamphlet-Order.pdf

Hi John,

I just left you a voice message. Below is the info that I received late yesterday. Not sure if it helps, but at least you have something to follow up on -via the website and talking with the Texas company as to what the J-1 workers were told.

I think that if this isn't enough, you need to loop back to the person who is in charge of the Human Rights Commission.

Also, I am not sure with whom you spoke in Congressman Delahunt's office. If you call their office again, speak with Kevin Driscoll--he's their staffer who handles State Dept. issues. Phone number: 508-771-0666.

Let me know if you need anything further.

Dottie

Dorothy M. Smith

Legislative Aide

Office of State Rep Sarah K. Peake

4th Barnstable District

617 722-2210

Room 473F

From: Jones, Tom (DOL)
Sent: Mon 6/22/2009 4:36 PM
To: Noguera, Stephanie (EOLWD); Smith, Dorothy M.(HOU)
Subject: RE: Labor Issue on Cape Cod

Dear Dorothy/Stephanie

I just looked at what appears to be the State Department’s web site. According to that, the J-1 worker must apply for the social security number if the person wants to work in the US. Do you know if these workers have applied for an ssn?

Assuming the people do have a right to work here, CVS should be withholding taxes and paying them. State law a worker must be paid within 6 days of the close of the pay period. Prior to there coming to the US, these people should have had a detailed explanation about their program, including documentation about payment. Though you should know that payment is referred to as a stipend on the webpage and a stipend does not always mean the same thing as wages.

http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Pamphlet-Order.pdf

Tom

-----Original Message-----
From: Noguera, Stephanie (EOLWD)
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:32 PM
To: Smith, Dorothy M.(HOU)
Cc: Jones, Tom (DOL)
Subject: RE: Labor Issue on Cape Cod

Dot,

This may be something that the Governor’s Joint Task Force on the Underground Economy may handle. I will check this out and get back to you.

SMN

-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Dorothy M.(HOU)
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:22 PM
To: Noguera, Stephanie (EOLWD)
Subject: Labor Issue on Cape Cod
Importance: High

Hi Stephanie,

This is a follow up to our phone discussion a few minutes ago.

John Bangert, who is a member of the Immigrant Working Group on Cape Cod, and who coordinates with the Human Rights folks, called to state that we have J-1 workers working for the CVS chain of stores who have not been paid in 4 weeks.

CVS was contacted about this situation and they claim that they cannot pay these workers until they have obtained social security numbers.

He has been in contact with the company in Texas that arranged to bring them into the US for work, and that company says this is not true. John confirms that local companies like Friends Market in Orleans, and other stores just enter all zeroes for SSNs to get them on their payrolls and correct that after the real SSNs come in.

John contacted the head of the Human Rights Commission on the Cape but has not yet heard back from that person.

All of these kids are legitimately in the US and working locally for our businesses.

John is coordinating locally just to get food to these workers—they have no money.

If these kids were Americans, they would by law have to be paid within 5-10 business days of working.

Can you direct this issue to the proper folks?

Mr. Bangert’s phone number is 508-432-0545, in case a staff person wishes to discuss this issue directly with him.

As always, we appreciate any help that you can give us!

Dottie

Dorothy M. Smith

Legislative Aide

Sarah K. Peake

State Representative

4th Barnstable District

(617) 722-2210

Room 473F