Lawmaker Opens Door For English-Only At Work

Written by wsbtv.com
Posted on 2009-03-19

Lawmaker Opens Door For English-Only At Work

ATLANTA — A Georgia congressman is pushing a hot-button issue — an English-only law.

Representative Tom Price introduced his “Common Sense English Act,” which would allow employers the freedom to make employees speak only English at work.

Right now, business owners are required by federal law to be open to employees who speak all languages. But Price wants to give business owners the right to mandate English-only inside their doors.

“I mean, you’re in the United States. If you’re going to live over here, learn the language, that’s the language,” employee Denard Luster told Channel 2 Action News reporter John Bachman.

Price called his proposed legislation the “Common Sense English Act.” He is in Washington D.C. and was not available to comment for an interview with Channel 2 Action News, but he did release a statement that read in part, “A single, shared language on the job is critical to avoiding misunderstandings. It is troubling some would deny employers the freedom to establish English as the common language in the workplace.”

“I work with a whole crew of guys that work in the back in the kitchen and stuff. They don’t speak any English, and it’s hard when you try to relay a message to them, you can’t,” said Luster.

Jerry Gonzalez, with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, called the proposal un-American and anti-free speech.

“I think it’s anything but common sense. I think Congressman Price hasn’t gotten the memo that we’re in a recession,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said he’s headed to Washington D.C. Thursday and plans to visit Price.

“Instead of doing this, I think he should focus on making sure we can focus on the economic recovery of this country, rather than demonizing people that don’t speak English,” said Gonzalez.

Price’s statement also said employers should not be barred from setting common sense policies to encourage productivity.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/18966140/detail.html

HERE from GALEO