Hispanics killed wages in the SE and we got as many here in NC as anywhere.
I remember in the 80's most construction work was done by white and black Americans for a decent wage. I worked as a Sr. Estimator for a large commercial paint contractor in the 80/90's. Most large contractors had big in house shops, followed OSHA rules, heck, we even had a plane to travel 3 states. Most had great benefits.
Illegals came and really took over. Usually a legal mexican would run 50 illegals. They didn't pay taxes, fair work comp and such low wages no one could compete. Not to mention they dump thousands of gallons of waste on the ground, toxic stuff.
The big in house contractors made big cuts, benefits went, wages cut, ect. Still not enough. One by one family businesses went out. The company I worked for had been in business since 1926 closed down in 2003.
What did I do, I opened my own business and guess who I sub my work out to, mexicans...there is no one else.
Since 1990's wages haven't increased for any group in the construction field. If you were making $16 per hour in 1995, you would be damn lucky to get that today. Heck, I have some employees work for $10 per hour and glad to get it, legal americans.
Course the economy has set legal and illegals back. I worked over 80 men 4 years ago, today I work 6.
One sad fact, most Americans that complain will still hire a cheap mexican over a legal citizen.
I see it everyday. Our richest neighborhoods full of white GOP members that complain look like
little mexico during the day from all the cheap labor, yard workers, construction, painters, ect..
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