PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Maurice Cunningham on Construction Industry Working Conditions and Fair Wages
1:41:06
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71 sec
Maurice Cunningham, a former non-union construction worker, testifies about the challenges he faced working in the industry without benefits and fair wages. He contrasts his previous experiences with his current union job, emphasizing the importance of fair wages and benefits in the construction industry.
- Cunningham describes the physical toll of working in construction without proper compensation or healthcare.
- He highlights the positive changes in his life after joining a union, including better pay, healthcare, and retirement benefits.
- Cunningham advocates for a fair wage of $40 per hour in the construction industry, arguing it would benefit workers and communities by reducing crime and encouraging legitimate employment.
Maurice Cunningham
1:41:06
It is.
1:41:06
My name is Morris Cunningham.
1:41:08
I live in a browser, broken all my life.
1:41:10
Over the last 8 years, I worked on a 4 wheelhouse apartment all over the city, getting a low wage with no benefits as time fit.
1:41:17
Everyday I woke up before a sunrise with my body hurt to work construction.
1:41:20
You have to be mentally and physically tough.
1:41:22
This is the most one of the most dangerous industries and my body has paid the price when I fell off the sky for I returned the work the next day.
1:41:29
When I messed up my knee, I kept on working because I couldn't afford the military.
1:41:33
Now now I'm 33 with a bad back and bad knees with nothing to so forth.
1:41:37
When I got into the union, my first job was a 100% affordable housing project.
1:41:41
I worked for a major nursing company.
1:41:43
I paid me a fair wage.
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For every Iowa I work, I get health care, for me and my daughter money towards our retirement.
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Construction is not just a job anymore.
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It's a career.
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My friends and family, I'm former coworkers are still on the pay, creating a $40 hour, and browser will benefit those who need it because the course of living in the city is too high.
1:42:01
It's not right for people to work people in this industry to work their probably.
1:42:05
Good jobs will bring down crime in my community and encourage people to find legitimate employment.
1:42:09
I'm not going back, but the city needs to move forward with the fair wage of $40 an hour.
1:42:14
My my community needs construction justice taking.
