" Ready " with prejudice at 200 Main

Most working people  attracted to a "  Work Today-

    Paid Today " sign in a storefront are probably down and

    out - if not desperate.  Many faces in downtown Pawtucket

    are right out of Jack London's " People of the Abyss ".

          If they are looking for an  honest day 's work ,

    " Labor Ready " at 200 Main St. is just the thing. But

    they are eager to humiliate the worker  just as he

    walks through the door. There is mirror beside

    the application desk and a half a dozen truly insulting

    signs :

         " Would you hire this person ? " above the mirror.

        " You are terminated - if you tell me how to do my

    job ... disturb the peace - once .... walk off - once

    ... no show - once ."

         " Labor Ready has a no tolerance policy regarding

    alcohol ". Don't get caught drinking on the job or reek

    of booze even before they send you out.

          No distribution of literature on the premises . They

    will tell you - scumbag working class losers - everything

    you need to know about your rights.


           Reading those signs from the sidewalk , I felt

    lucky to not need " Labor Ready " on this day . But

    you never know .

            I  reflect in the morning cold on the brotherhood

    of oppression. Yes, I can understand " Losers " everywhere !