OMAM Project-Worker's Rights
By: Shane Matters, Alex Chandler, Tyler Volk
Research Source 1
Research Source 2
“Most workers in this country are employed by businesses that play by the rules, protecting health and safety on the job and paying fairly and in accordance with the law. But for too many, that’s not the case.
These workers are typically employed in low-wage sectors such as agriculture, construction, food service, residential care, and waste processing. Many don’t speak English as their primary language and don’t know their rights. Fearing retaliation or even deportation if they happen to be undocumented, they’re often afraid to speak up.”
Research Source 3
Britannica said,”Because of the European labor movement, workers gained the right to vote, free public education was established, and full citizenship rights were granted before World War I. These successes reinforced the loyalty of European workers to their unions and socialist parties. Legislative action to improve wages, hours, and working conditions was readily employed. Marxism became less important as the guiding philosophy as workers became more integrated into their own societies.
Essential Questions
In Of Mice and Men, the workers don’t receive health care and aren’t always paid fairly, but in 2015, workers must be treated fairly and paid an appropriate amount for their work with a minimum wage.The problem in Of Mice and Men relates to modern day because workers that place lower on the corporate ladder are sometimes paid less than they should and do not have as many benefits from their works as others and are sometime discriminated against.
More jobs have opened up so that more people are able to find a decent job.
We open more jobs for people even if they do not pay much since getting payed a little is better than not at all.
Why should workers get protected from injuries?
Why should workers get treated properly and fairly?
Why should workers get paid a given amount at the least?
Always providing healthcare for workers in every class and paying workers the appropriate amount for more difficult jobs, and less for easier jobs.
No one discriminating against workers lower on the corporate ladder.
Pay all workers based on their skills and the work they put into their job.
Timeline of Events
Event 1 (MLA): George said, “ God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an’ work, an’ no trouble.” (pg.11)
Relation to idea/issue: This relates to the theme because it explains how George wants to work so he can be happy.
Event 2 (MLA): George said, “ I could eat any place I want, hotel or any place, and order any damn thing I could think of.” (pg.11)
Relation to idea/issue: This relates to the theme because it explains that if George got a job, he could work and earn money to do whatever he wants and be happy.
Event 3 (MLA): George said, “ An’ when the salmon run up river we could catch a hundred of em’ an’ salt em’ down or smoke em’.” (pg.57)
Relation to idea/issue: This relates to the theme because when George buys the house, he’ll catch salmon and cook them so he could have them for breakfast and be happy.
Event 4 (MLA): George said, “ When the fruit come in we could can it-and tomatoes, they’re easy to can.” (pg.57)
Relation to idea/issue: This relates to the theme since George will can the fruit he will grow around the house and be happy.
Event 5 (MLA): George said, “ Maybe we’d have a cow or a goat, and the cream is so God damn thick you got to cut it with a knife and take it out with a spoon.”
Relation to idea/issue: This relates to the them since when George gets the house he will have a cow or goat and be able to have the thick cream to use and be happy.”
Major Theme
Workers’ rights back when this story takes place aren’t nearly as good as they are now.
George said, “Look, if me and Lennie work a month an’ don’t spen’ nothin, we’ll have a hundred bucks.” (pgs.59-60)
This connects to the big idea because today you would earn more than a hundred dollars in a month for most jobs but back then, George and Lennie combined would only earn one hundred dollars.
Character
Character/Analysis: Crooks is treated unfairly because of his race.
Evidence (MLA): “Why ain’t you wanted?” Lennie asked. “ ‘Cause I’m black. They play cards in there, but I can’t play because I’m black. They say I stink.” p68
Connection to BIG IDEA/ISSUE: Crooks isn’t wanted inside the bunkhouse (where all other workers sleep) because he is black, so that is taking away his rights as a person, and today at a work place that wouldn’t be tolerated.