Two southeast companies that make U.S. military uniforms are shedding hundreds of jobs, as the government looks to federal inmates for the fatigues.
American Power Source makes military clothing in Fayette, Ala., but its government contract expires in October. Federal Prison Industries – which also operates under the name UNICOR will snag the work, and leave the task to inmates. FPI has the first right of refusal for U.S. Government contracts, under a 1930 federal law.
American Apparel, the Selma, Ala., based military clothing manufacturer closed one of its plants and continues to downsize others due to the loss of some of its contracts to FPI. According retired Air Force colonel and spokesman Kurt Wilson, the company laid off 255 employees and cut the hours of 190 employees this year alone. So private workers end up losing their jobs to prisoners.
I think that government bids should exclude bids from companies that use prison labor. It is an unfair competitive advantage. It is worse that buying products from China. We should be implementing an extreme tariff on any product imported from foreign companies that are not required to play by the same rules and follow the same standards that American companies are required to, in terms of employee wages, health insurance, etc. And the same goes to companies that utilize prison labor. A percent advantage should be offered to companies that employ tax paying citizens to manufacture their products.
ReplyDeleteFor the people who say, "so what? they're prisoners" here's a good reason to take a hard look at the for-profit prison industry:
ReplyDeletethe taxpayer pays twice...once to feed and house the prisoner and again for the goods the prisoner makes for slave wages. How is the American worker supposed to compete?
Look for more punitive laws and sentencing. The for-profit prison system is not going to let its cheap labor go easily.
Ok maybe I read this wrong.......but it looks like the prison is charging MORE for the uniforms. Why is the government wasting almost 5 dollars per uniform and placing others out of work for this. Im all for making prisoners do something but come on they are charging MORE so much for cheaper labor from them.
ReplyDeleteThese people work for us but they take our jobs away-whats wrong with this picture?
ReplyDeleteYou can't have it both ways. Some say work the prisoners instead of letting them lie around watching cable.
ReplyDeleteOthers say they are taking jobs away from citizens.
Make up your minds.
Prisons are more about being cash cows than being rehabilitative.