[nfbmi-talk] outragious employment discrimination in bsbp

[joe harcz Comcast]

June 17 2014 Wage Disparities for Same Jobs

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

 

Re: Gross Prima Facae Discrimination Against Blind Persons in VR Program

 

To:

Edward F. Rodgers III, Director

Mich. Bureau Services to Blind Persons

Mike Pemble, Deputy Director

Sue Luzenski, Administrative Assistant

(via e-mail)

 

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

 

I point your attention to the response to my inquiry related to the “SWOP” program where blind students are offered work experience with pay in BSBP’s Business Enterprise Program (after my signature line). 

 Note these blind students who worked in the BEP earned by Ms. Zanger’s contention $7.40 per hour. Yet you have hired and delegated countless non-blind student assistants to illegally operate many BEP locations including now for more than one year the location in our State’s Capitol where, by the way the legislature years ago passed Public Act 260 making this a mandatory location (along with others in the state) for a licensed operator.

 

Regardless as to the clear cut discrimination in not hiring one blind person under the student assistant designation you pay these non-blind    persons $13 per hour and up for the same tasks in this program which you pay the “SWOP” students minimum wage.

 

This is gross disparate treatment, and grossly discriminatory on two counts. It is prima facae discrimination by the very entity, BSBP whose primary mission under Title I of the very Rehabilitation Act that creates and funds BSBP to begin with to promote gainful employment of Michiganders who are blind!

 

It is so outrageously, and in documented fashion discriminatory against the very people you  are paid $128,000 with taxpayer’s funds to serve that it leaves me breathless.

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

Cc: MCRS

Cc: RSA

Cc: BSBP Commission

Cc: CAP/MPAS

Cc: several legislators

Cc: several media

Cc: NFB MI

 

Attachment:

 

 

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Zanger, Connie (LARA) 

To: joe harcz Comcast (joeharcz at comcast.net) 

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2014 5:16 PM

Subject: swap questions transition

 

Dear Mr. Harcz;

 

In 2013, 3 blind youth participated in the Summer Work Opportunity Program (SWOP).  Youth participating in this Program earn $7.40/hour.  While I am not clear about what specifically you are asking when you inquire how many eventually become involved further with the B E P, to the best of my knowledge no former participants have become licensed operators.

 

Constance Zanger

Business Enterprise Program Manager

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

517/335.3639

 

From: joe harcz Comcast [mailto:joeharcz at comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2014 1:17 PM
To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
Cc: Luzenski, Sue (LARA); BSBPcommissioners; Joe Sibley MCBVI Pres.; nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: swap questions transition

 

June 11 2014 SWAP Questions

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

 

To: Edward Rodgers, BSBP

(Via E-mail)

 

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

 

Under the Draft State Plan section for Youth Transition Programs I point you to the following:

 

“BSBP’s Business Enterprise Program (BEP) Summer Work Opportunity Program (SWOP) for youth in high school and college opens opportunities for individuals to obtain valuable work experience in the food service industry and further introduces the small business entrepreneur concepts to individuals in transition programs. Each year, staff identifies transition youth who wish to participate in the SWOP.  BEP staff works diligently to place every student interested in this program. “

 

Now I am asking you the following simple questions about this program in FY 2013:

 

1. How many blind youth were involved in this program last year?

2. What was the hourly rate of pay for these “interns”?

 

3. How many if any eventually became involved further with the BEP program?

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

 

Cc: RSA

Cc: Luzenski, BSBP

Cc: BSBP Commissioners

Cc: NFB MI