Article Review - Who Promised Fair Improving the Construction Industry - Book Report/Review Example

? Article Review - Who Promised Fair? Improving the Construction Industry: Part Article identification Who Promised Fair? Improving the Construction Industry: Part one Author: Ozanne, Dominic Journal Name: Labor Law Journal Year of Publication: 2011, Volume 62, Issue 4 Pages: Page 181 – 200 Author’s background The author named Dominic Ozanne is the owner of Ozanne Construction Company based in Ohio, Cleveland. This triggers the fact that the presentation by the author will be a half bias and half not an article because in spite that the author possesses adequate experience in the industry, most of his facts are acquired from other sources that including statistical research. Introduction The article talks about the historic development of trade unions in the United States as well as how ethnic minorities were discriminated from working for the construction industry. More so, the article reviews how the Supreme Court affirmed various labor rights that underwent amendments over the years. In addition, the article provides information on how the female and other minorities in the United States construction industry were presented by labor laws (Ozanne, 2011). To add up the highlighted points, this paper will analyze the article by reviewing these points and thereafter portray the method of presentation used by the author. Moreover, the paper will outline a personal opinion on one major topic accompanied by an explanation. Analysis of five major points The article is a comprehensive piece because it dug up the United States construction industry since its foundation in the 17th century. There are various points that the author outlays, and among these major points is the evolution of the industry. The author argues that the construction industry evolved to what it is today with the help of continuous labor law amendments that have progressed over the centuries to befit the workers’ satisfaction (Ozanne, 2011). However, he asserts that the labor Acts and other policies that kept evolving have not satisfactorily met the desires of all workers because the minority and women are still struggling to attain posts in the construction industry. Oppression is an issue that the author gives emphasis in his work. This is majorly on the impact it brings to the oppressed. Prior to the history of the construction industry and labor laws, the author also outlines the fact that the continuous amendments of laws and policies were driven by the presence of diverse ethnic background in the industry. In this case, the author argues that United States contained numerous ethnicities that include Asians, Hispanics, the whites and the blacks (Ozanne, 2011). Oppression in terms of race was a usual occurrence that led the minorities to form their own groups that would raise their issues in terms of oppression and discrimination in the workplace. The author further claims that the minority groups aired their grievances through subsequent strikes that led to continuous changes in labor laws. On another point, the author clarifies that discrimination and oppression of the workforce did not only happen on racial background but also on a gender basis. This is because women have numerously experienced discrimination due to their “inferiority” tag pinned on them. The author argues that the case is slowly diminishing due to the rise of gender protection laws, but in spite of the efforts, the female discrimination act still exists in current times. The author proves this fact by claiming that only two percent of females in the year 2012 participate in the construction trade (Ozanne, 2011). Though the author does not offer a concrete reason concerning the gender difference, he asserts that the major contributor could be the male dominated traditions and activities that brand construction as exclusively a man’s job. Contrary to the evolution of labor laws and the construction industry, the author also looks at the present situation of the industry where he argues that the construction industry still contains vast immigrants as part of its working force. This means that, these immigrants especially the blacks still fight for their ancient rights that have not satisfactorily been met (Ozanne, 2011). The reason why these rights have not been met to date is because ancient racial discrimination collaborated with the political powers of construction union, lack of skills and experience and other factors that deprived the minorities’ equal shares in high paying construction jobs. Prior to highlighting various concerns that influenced the construction industry; the author also provides a platform that could contribute to the eradication of marginalization of minorities and women from the construction industry. The author argues that these aspects are concentrating on the private sector and competitiveness of the existing construction industry (Ozanne, 2011). The reason why the government and other concerned stakeholders should consider these two major aspects is because private sectors will enhance community benefits programs that will include empowerment of the minorities and women living within the community and in turn encompass them in the construction industry. More so, competitiveness in the construction industry will foster progressive measures that will definitely include equality both in racial and gender basis. The author also includes that the two presented aspects will need policy backups that include Davis – Bacon Act, which emphasizes on equal rights and wages in terms of employment (Ozanne, 2011). This shows that despite the fact that the industry embraces competitiveness and ventures into private sectors, relevant policies should be a consideration so that the minorities and women are not only employed in the construction industry but also that their other rights are considered. Analysis of Author’s method of presentation The author’s presentation is two faced because in one aspect the author extensively portrays the overview of the construction industry as well as the evolution of labor laws which are factual because the author offers facts that align with statistical research (Ozanne, 2011). However, the author fails to address the real problem that contributes to the marginalization of minorities and women in the construction industry because his back up reasons are not convincing. More so, the author’s solution of curbing the discriminatory act is not vividly onto the point because a deeper insight is required. Therefore, the author’s general presentation is informative in terms of history and evolution but on the other hand, the author failed to dig up more major aspects of the root problem. Personal opinion on one major point in the article Due to the manner in which the article is presented, I do not completely agree with the author on facts that he presented concerning factors that contribute to the marginalization of minorities and women in the construction industry because the author failed to consider the root cause of the problem. This is the case because the author claims that factors like skills, experience, apprenticeship and others contributed to the discriminatory act (Ozanne, 2011). In this regard, I totally disagree because the major reasons into why the minorities are discriminated from attaining positions in the construction industry is due to pure racism and unstable politics that fail to strictly follow up on amended discrimination policies. On another aspect, the author fails to outline facts that would help in shunning minority and female discrimination in the construction industry. This is because; competitiveness and creating more private sectors in the industry as stated by the author will not contribute much. Personally I would assert that empowerment campaigns would make much impact in creating awareness and empowering both the minority and women, who in turn will know their rights and where to apply. More so, informative and empowerment campaigns will help the minorities and women understand various Acts that concern them. Therefore, before the construction industry ventures into private sectors and competitiveness, another touching aspect like grass root awareness and empowerment should be considered. References Ozanne, D. (2011). Who Promised Fair? Improving the Construction Industry: Part 1. Journal on Labor Laws, 62(4), P.181 – 200. Read More