Published Sunday, December 4, 2005
The truism, "the more things change, the more they stay the same," applies to the U.S. Forest Service contractor abuses of migrant workers reported by The Bee in 1993 and again in November. But with a renewed commitment to congressional oversight, that pattern of abuse without penalties can be broken.
Four members of Congress requested hearings. All that remains is for House Committee on Resources Chairman Richard Pombo, R-Tracy, to schedule them.
After The Bee series "Shame of the Forest" in 1993, the House Committee on Government Operations held hearings and the chief of the U.S. Forest Service ordered a crackdown on contractors who abuse migrant workers in the agency's tree-planting and thinning programs. Then-Chief F. Dale Robertson issued a nationwide directive ordering stricter scrutiny of suspiciously low bids by contractors, better monitoring of working conditions and pay, and more cooperation with other agencies.
In November, The Bee's series "The Pineros: Men of the Pines" revealed that little has changed. It documented clear safety violations; unreported injuries; workers cheated out of pay; contractors with a history of violating federal labor laws and government contracts still getting jobs; Forest Service staff witnessing violations but doing nothing.
Once again, the Forest Service chief has ordered a crackdown on contractors who exploit workers. Chief Dale N. Bosworth on Nov. 18 ordered Forest Service staff who see violations to "promptly report the situation to the appropriate oversight agency and to document the notification." He ordered staff to shut down jobs where contract workers do not have appropriate safety apparel or equipment. And he insisted that violations must be a factor in evaluating future bids and awarding contracts.
As with the 1993 directive, the key to success will be implementation.
What was missing in 1993 - and should be remedied today - was ongoing congressional oversight.
Democratic Reps. George Miller, Tom Udall, Dale Kildee and Peter DeFazio sent a letter to Pombo on Nov. 18 requesting oversight hearings "at the earliest possible opportunity." Pombo responded on Nov. 23, directing the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health to review the issues. He expressed willingness to "assess the pertinent issues." But no hearings have been scheduled.
Congressional oversight hearings are vital checks and balances in our system of government.
The experience of more than a decade tells us that without aggressive congressional oversight of reforestation contracts, no real change will happen. A cursory review is not enough. Oversight hearings should be scheduled for mid-January.