Deputize construction workers to help police industry - By Jim O'Sullivan/State House News Service
Boston - Gov. Deval Patrick is open to 'deputizing' construction industry workers to gather information about other employees and conditions on job sites, including Social Security information, and then turn it over to state authorities, he said Tuesday.
The strategy would allow trade union members to collect personal data about workers' federal statuses, then relay it to the attorney general or other law enforcement officials. During a breakfast speech at a Boston hotel, Patrick said he thinks the approach could improve working conditions and increase state tax collections.