Thursday, March 23, 2006

Hildale firm hit with fine of $10,395 for child labor

A construction company in Hildale has been fined $10,395 for using boys, including a 12-year-old, to do roofing work. The firm, Paragon Contractors, also failed to pay the boys, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Paragon, owned by Brian Jessop, had two boys, ages 12 and 13, working on residential home construction jobs in 2005. Federal law prohibits youth under age 14 from working in nonagricultural jobs. Those boys and a 15-year-old were found working on a roof, the department said, in violation of a law that sets the minimum age at 18 for such hazardous work. The older boy also was observed operating a table saw, another violation of youth employment regulations. Minors under 18 are not allowed to operate power-driven circular saws, band saws and guillotine shears, the department said in news release. The department ordered Paragon to pay the boys $3,296 in back wages, which it agreed to do. But the firm is appealing the penalty assessed by the Labor Department. A man who answered the telephone at Paragon said Jessop was unavailable and no one else at the company would care to comment on the case. Hildale and the adjoining community of Colorado City, Ariz., are home to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamous sect that follows early teachings of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith.

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

So? Would it be better if they sat around played video games and watched TV all day? Letting your kids do that is worse abuse in my book.

Chris

Jax said...

How about they go to school like normal kids?

I helped my dad build our house, but I wasn't doing it professionally at a young age... So my dad's business could underbid companies with legitmate labor...

Anonymous said...

Jax-
How do you know they aren't being home-schooled? It is possible to work AND learn all at the same time. You don't have to pick.

Chris

Anonymous said...

Paragon is right at the top of companies that support WJ with more than 20K a month. Alot of the young boys leave school at 14 or 15. Because they get in challenges with girls or the teachers. This is actually normal for CC. As a matter of fact, I bet every company from CC has a few underage employees. I don't think that is bad, but having them in dangerous situations is. They can run a shovel or a hammer, but up on the roof? Common Sense needs inforced.

Anonymous said...

Kids as young as 12 and 13 working for FLDS companies has been going on for decades. The biggest problem is that they are almost always forced to leave school at an earlu ageg to work. Which is why so many individuals from the FLDS have a sub-8th grade education. Which in turn makes it very difficult for them to find good jobs or function in the world outside the FLDS. Which gives Warren even more power over them. Furhermore, I've talked to many boys who were forced to work at an early age and then were never paid even the low wages promised to them. This is and was standard practice in Short Creek, at Western Precision in Salt Lake County, and in Canada--where Winston was one of the worst offenders. Wink would force young boys to do very dangerous work in his logging operation and then pay them almost nothing.

Jax said...

How do you know they aren't being home-schooled? It is possible to work AND learn all at the same time. You don't have to pick.

Because, this is the FLDS we're talking about, and we know they're not being homeschooled.

Anonymous said...

would be great if they were doing both but let me tell you they are not. There are so many of these youth who are not able to complete schooling and then have to rely on others. It is sad.

Anonymous said...

Okay, so maybe they are just 12 years old.

But they have five years' experience!

ex creeker said...

To bad they won't get the wages either. They will cash the check and give it to Brian or WJ. They would feel guilty if they kept money the goverment made Brian (WJ)pay them. It is all God's money anyway , right.

Anonymous said...

You keep talking about young boys being "forced" to work.

Could you please explain that a little more?

I have boys, and I can't even "force" them to pick up their own laundry and put it in the hamper!

Anonymous said...

It is not really as bad as they say. It is worse.

They can get a decent job when they get in the real world. Because all of them do.

What they don't realize, is that they are stuck doing what ever framing, or type of construction for the next twenty years and they can't read or write over a fifth grade level. That will always hold you back from being a foreman, even if you know all the phases.

Anonymous said...

Forced!

Well, It is a matter of opinion. If you can't afford groceries, tissue and shampoo and the moms and sisters are grouchy all the time. You wouldn't want to be home either. 'Sides that you get food and travel benefits.

Hmmm easy choice, I think I would want to get a job at 12 too. Actually, I think I was driving at 12 and had a job. It was a relief!

Anonymous said...

Carpenters!

Who needs 'em?

Who ever heard of a carpenter who ever made anything of himself?

Being a carpenter's son really puts you at some kind of disadvantage.

Anonymous said...

In all do respect to the FLDS, I come from a farming/ranching community in Texas. Its not at all unusual to see a 12 year on a horse working sheep or cows. Far that matter its not unusual to see a 12 year old kid driving a 200,000 dollar cotton stripper. Most of the kids here work long hours on the farm or ranch. Marking lambs can be considered hazardous by labor standards but my son has been doing it since he was old enough to pick up a lamb. Its what makes rural kids a cut above the rest. They learn to work, improvise, learn important life long skill early. Lets not get hypocritical about teaching kids work ethics here.

Anonymous said...

Thank you good Texan. Work in vital to life. Carpenters and farmers are the great things of America that needs to be honored. I do not think if all were living in a big City and there was no farmers or carpenters or ranchers, where would the great City people get there stuff. There has to be work done. America needs to remember the greatness of America. Think of the Pioneer's who did not think it was a disadvantage to work. Thank you Texan. Work is great. I have been working since i was walking. I am glad the government was not a bear in my youth. I love work. I can not imagine what would have happened if my parents would have gotten a fine for me working. How bizzare!

Anonymous said...

It is bad enough that the government was involved in my life when i was thirty five. I may have a career myself if the government had kept their drugs on the street, instead of forcing me to be an adict. Maybe I could have even gotten me a job, if they had not been stupid. And they punish people for work now..............
No wonder Marijauna is so available here. No one cares unless you suceed.

I guess the headlines could read:::: work is punishable with fines;; drugs are free..........That is Arizonia law.

I am glad that Texas at least lets people work and do not force them on drugs........... Glory to one state in America

Anonymous said...

maybe Texans do not steal private property and claim they are helping. Maybe that is what is wrong with this area. Arizonia and Utah feel like they are the banditoes now. Free drugs. Free stolen land. Only work is punishable.............Lets take care of the lost boys, but by damb; fine the workers......Good ol' big boy government............

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, I don't buy your excuse for drug use. The use of drugs is not forced upon you or anyone else except as a choice YOU made. If you want to leave that lifestyle YOU must make necessry decisions to change. No one else can do it for you. I'll bet YOU CAN'T QUIT. Why? You don't want to and it's no ones fault but your own. Now go cry on someone elses shoulder.

Anonymous said...

You are wrong, 3,09 poster. I am not on drugs any longer. I was forced and the first chance i got i went off cold turkey. I almost died from this. I was forced on these drugs for five years. I had to do this on my own. Then those stupid government people started saying, "Oh you are getting better." Soon i shall recover enough to get me a job. I think that work is important. There are not very many people in this area who can not read and write. There are not very many who are stupid; if any. I think the government needs a job............I mean a real one, besides oppressing people.

Anonymous said...

3;49
and you also speak in fables. work is good for people. The only cover up is government folly............and failure of this government to investigate abuse when it is reported.......and crimnal's roam.................... And they have court cases behind peoples backs and public kidnappings. And frankly, I do not know any one who was killed working. And every death is investigated........ so again your complaint is really pointed at the government too....

Anonymous said...

Where's Garrison, NV?

Anonymous said...

Yeah it's funny how these people don't even care about their kids safety or health. Birth defects and child labor. I've never heard of a kid getting hurt or killed watching TV or playing video games in and of themselves. I agree with kids working a little but safety should be important. I guess it doesn't matter with them because they can just get another wife pregnant and have another kid to replace it. Am I right?

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:01-
What kind of blithering idiot are you? You think they don't train their kids how to use the stuff or use safety measures? I don't see that mentioned anywhere in the article...just that they were working. You are a beastly individual to suggest that if one of their kids should die they wouldn't care. You should be ashamed of yourself!!

Chris

Anonymous said...

I'm not going to eplain myself to someone who CLEARLY doesn't understand sarcasm. ROLLS HER EYES in disgust!

Anonymous said...

How about explaining stuff a little better too when we ask questions and NOT thumbing your noses up at us just because we don't understand. Just because we weren't raised FLDS doesn't make us "ignorant" "wicked" or "blithering idiots".

Anonymous said...

I don't belive in God I believ in me. So take your repentence and shove it.

Anonymous said...

First off Anon 4:29, in the message which I responded to in which I used the term "blithering idiot", no question was asked, and the staements made were idiotic, just callin' 'em like I see's 'em. Second, I wasn't raised FLDS, nor am I now FLDS, but I do believe in defending people against blanket accusations and stupid statements even if I don't agree completely with their doctrine or way of doing some things. The bigger the horse the higher the fall, so dismount now, before it's too late. (IOW, get off your high horse :)

Chris

Anonymous said...

I'd say that the Creekers are doing a great job! This is the first thing we have heard of child labor in probably 5 years. Since all of them do it, I'd say that is a pretty good safety record.

And to the anon people that can't possibly make up a name to fit with your comments, at least you could write (with sarcasm) after your sarcastic remarks, because words are black and white and we can't see your face.

Anonymous said...

Mugwump-
Who are you talking to??? You need to be a little more specific in your posts, my dear.

Chris

Anonymous said...

Right...

Anonymous said...

If you can't figure it out, you don't need to know.

rcn

Anonymous said...

I grew up at the Creek. I started going to work during the summers and on Saturdays with my dad when I was about 8-9. It wasn't about making a slave out of me or defining my career path, it was about giving me something constructive to do...which I really needed. I was old enough that he didn't have to babysit me and I could fetch tools or materials for him, help him out a little. Like most other parents, he wouldn't let me run the dangerous power tools (if you call a Skilsaw dangerous) by myself until I was 13-14. Each year he gave me a little more responsibility and when I turned 16 and could drive, I would go out by myself and take care of good sized projects for him.

The work ethic I learned while I was young helped me through high school and college.

The days I spent with my Dad out working on a job are some of the best memories I have. I wouldn't trade them for anything. I wish I could do the same thing with my kids during the summer but my job won't allow it.

ltg

Anonymous said...

Muggy,
I did mention in my post that the work ethic I learned helped me focus through high and college. The same parent that took me to work with him supported me through college, but I did have to get my pilot's license on my own.

I know some kids growing up at the creek nowadays don't have the same level of support for education, but once they break free the choice is theirs. Having the work ethic instilled at a young age will give them more confidence that they can excell at whatever they choose, education or career or both.

ltg