Workers lost job, health insurance
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Editor,
It is pretty sad what has happened to the CME workers who showed up for work last Friday and were told to clean out their trucks and inform their new employers when they could go to work (not sure how they are to inform their new employer when they didn’t even know they were being terminated). Typically when one quits a job they are required to give a two-week notice to the employer … guess the shoe doesn’t fit on the other foot in this situation.
Rumors have been flying around for weeks that BIA was taking over, but no date was ever given as to when this would happen. That makes for some restless families. Most of these men have families to feed. Some live paycheck to paycheck; but I guess that doesn’t matter to the big-wigs that have money in the bank. Some positions were posted and the current employees were given a chance to apply, but of course the only ones BIA hired were tribal members; sounds like discrimination if you ask me.
These men have also had heath insurance provided through this job. They will now be looking to get insurance for themselves and their families, unless they’re lucky enough to find a job that provides coverage, just one more expense out their pocket.
This not only affects those who are now looking for work but it will affect everyone in this valley who has irrigation rights. For the past four years you have had men out there who knew what they were doing and took pride in their jobs. They did their best to get water where it needed to be and keep canals and ditches clean; sometimes even giving up a weekend to repair a canal that began leaking.
I have a feeling that there will be some very unhappy farmers and ranchers this summer with fields burning up because they have no water. Praying that all these folks can find jobs quickly and that all you farmers and ranchers get you water this summer.
Neoma Cox
Charlo
