Slavery in the USA

Relief workers victims of job mix-up- Would-be humanitarians sent to clean up casino

When Dalton and Tucker of Lawrence and others from the Kansas City area said they wanted to leave Biloxi, they were told there was no transportation for them and if they tried to walk away they risked being shot by National Guardsmen enforcing martial law.

It all began when Dalton, 20, and Tucker, 23, joined with a couple of other friends from St. Charles, Mo., and responded to fliers and postings offering $7.50 per hour for 500 people willing to help with disaster relief cleanup in New Orleans. The postings stated that workers should expect to stay a minimum of six weeks and be willing to work 40-plus hours. Travel would be by bus, and hotels, meals and equipment would be supplied.

On Friday, Sept. 2, Dalton and Tucker found themselves on one of three nonair-conditioned school buses headed south with what they estimated to be about 130 people. There also had been a change of plans. Instead of New Orleans, the buses were going to Biloxi. About 7 a.m., the group was addressed by one of the drill sergeant-like foremen, who said they were to march in a file to the work site, which turned out to be the $800-million Beau Rivage casino, owned by MGM Mirage, where they began clearing debris. During the lunch break, the workers were given bologna sandwiches and a few Oreo cookies, Dalton and Tucker said.

Workers also were told their work days would be up to 16 hours long and then they would be bused to a hotel two hours away, allowed to sleep four hours, and then sent back to work.