AB227 Harms Veterans and Could Increase Suicides and Homelessness (opinion)
AB227 is being considered in the Legislature that will create a loss of 4300 temporary and skilled workers jobs as stated by The American Staffing Association [ASA]. An unofficial poll among Private Employment Agencies (“PEAs”) that are Nevada businesses that are licensed and regulated by the Nevada Labor Commissioner, say it’s estimated that about 15% of them are Veterans.
This would mean roughly 645 unemployed Veterans would be placing an additional strain on our state, county, or local social services and economics beyond the pandemic, shredding the hopes of families to be self-sustaining. Could this be a significant contributor or trigger to 20 Veteran Suicides a day, or Homelessness? AND there’s NO fiscal note attached to this Bill?
Looking ahead, as we exit the Afghanistan War, there will be an influx of new transitioning military coming to our state in addition to those we already are expecting through normal operations reductions. Some may consider higher education, some may be positioned to reenter the full-time workforce, but there will be many who will strongly depend upon the ability to take on a temp job until they can find more permanent employment. Temporary employment is considered a gateway to permanent employment. Survivability versus sustainability. Do we just kick the can and hope for the best, or plan for our states prosperity?
This entire disaster is avoidable and we can accomplish the original intent ‘to prohibit the use of part-time “cash under the table” labor practices’ by accepting a proposed amendment to AB227 that will allow the long-established and well known industry standard of contractors using temporary leased labor to continue in Nevada. Nevada contractors should be able to use licensed and regulated PEA’s for project by project workers, both skilled and unskilled.
Help our Military and Veterans, and facilitate their transition. Protect our Nevada jobs and families, please don’t destroy them!
About United Veterans Legislative Council https://veterans.nv.gov/united-veterans-legislative-council/
The UVLC is an organization of all of the Veterans organizations throughout the State of Nevada. That includes all Veterans, active duty military, National Guard, families and advocates statewide that represents close to 500,000 members of the United Veterans Legislative Council. We speak issues, not politics.