American Staffing Association (01/19/12) Stephen Dwyer

The Massachusetts staffing firm EDA Staffing has reportedly entered into an agreement with immigrant rights group Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores that would improve working conditions for EAD’s temporary workers. According to CCT, EAD’s workers were subjected to unsafe conditions while on assignments. The Massachusetts Staffing Association, an ASA-affiliated chapter, has repeatedly attempted to contact EAD but has not received a response.

The immigrant group’s agreement is part of its broader efforts to support HB 1393 in the state legislature, a bill that would devastate the state’s staffing industry. HB 1393 would prohibit certain placement and conversion fees, potentially cap bill rates, require in-state offices, prohibit sending candidate résumés to clients, and require mandatory meals and lodging for out-of-state employees. Violators would be subject to severe criminal penalties.

ASA and MSA have proposed a scaled-back bill with new reporting provisions that would apply only to day labor firms. Permanent placement agencies and temporary help firms would be subject to the simple registration requirements applicable to temporary firms under current law. The bill’s sponsor is considering the rewrite, and will reportedly propose edits in an effort to address all parties’ interests and concerns.