Warehouse Worker Resource Center

Improving working conditions in the warehouse industry in Southern California

workplace injuries

News Outlets Take Notice of Warehouse Workplace Hazards

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A growing number of major media outlets are reporting about health and safety violations and poor working conditions at the Southern California warehouses that are the backbone of Walmart’s worldwide supply chain.

According to The New York Times, the dire workplace conditions are not only hurting warehouse employees but are also having widespread economic impact throughout the state. Experts cite Walmart as responsible for driving down wages and labor standards across an industry that is primarily a Latino workforce.

“There seems to be an unfortunate model of subcontracting used to cut costs and really depress the working conditions,” said Julie Su, California labor commissioner. “It really reflects the economy moving to this kind of day-labor system in a way that really can destabilize the economy.”

Read the article in The New York Times

Through a complex web of contractors and subcontractors, Walmart tries to deny responsibility for warehouses that move its merchandise, but the corporate behemoth dictates the working conditions in these facilities by setting unreasonable quotas and pushing for relentless cost cutting measures at the expense of workers’ health and safety.

“There’s nobody who cares about our health — there’s just pressure to empty cases at a fast pace,” said warehouse worker Limber Herrera told the Times. “All the dust we inhale, all the heavy things we have to lift with all our strength and no support, it’s very hard.”

The Guardian went into even more detail about “abject working conditions.” Reports of black dust that cause nosebleeds, headaches, and nausea in addition to a litany of other hazards reported at warehouses serving Walmart. Workers report back injuries, 125 degree heat, lack of water and broken equipment. Workers have also reported denial of medical attention and threats of dismissal for missing work if injured.

“It is an impossibility,” said warehouse worker Ruben Valadez. “But they tell you to work harder. The shout at you and harass you. They say: ‘If you can’t take it, then you know where the door is.’”

Read the article in the Guardian

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Workers Stand Up to Retaliation and Win

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Warehouse workers filed charges to stop a recent wave of retaliation Wednesday and one worker was reinstated after being suspended indefinitely.

Workers have raised serious concerns about high temperatures, broken equipment, constant yelling and pressure from supervisors and frequent injuries inside warehouses that move Walmart goods. They filed an extensive complaint with the state of California July 18 about conditions at the NFI Crossdock, a warehouse in Eastvale, California. Warehouse operators wasted no time punishing those who stood up to improve conditions on the job.

In the warm California sun, Carlos Martinez heads back to work. Martinez was suspended indefinitely just days after speaking out for safety in the workplace.

“We are trying to make a difference and improve our jobs,” said Carlos Martinez, a warehouse worker at the NFI Crossdock. “In response our managers are making up reasons to suspend workers who are outspoken, changing up people’s assignment and trying to embarrass us if we speak up. I am not afraid.”

Martinez was suspended late last week after the he and about 20 other workers filed a serious complaint with Cal/OSHA. After workers delivered a copy of the anti-retaliation charges, he was immediately reinstated. He will be back at work Thursday, July 26.

Apolinar Rojas, who was injured while driving a forklift at the Crossdock, was required to work against his doctor’s orders. Immediately after the accident he was made to sit, broom in hand, in front of a managers’ office and mocked about his injuries. He is now on light duty while he recovers.

Workers who help staff the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week unloading and loading Walmart goods filed charges with federal and state authorities in response to several instances of retaliation against several entities including Walmart, National Distribution Centers of Delaware, Inc., which operates the warehouse, and two staffing agencies, Warestaff, LLC, and Select Staffing, Inc., supply most of the workers on site.

*Update*

David Garcia, a second warehouse worker who was suspended after filing the complaint about health and safety, returned to work July 30. Workers – 2, Warehouse – 0!

Read more…

Working conditions at the NFI Crossdock are the subject of an investigative piece in the Guardian newspaper and reports in other news outlets including The New York Times and Univision.

Cal/OSHA is expected to fully investigate the warehouse and interview workers over the next several weeks.

Things happen fast in the warehouse.

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PHOTOS: No more #brokenbodies.

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View the photos of workers delivering a Cal/OSHA complaint to end dangerous working conditions at critical Walmart-contracted warehouse.

Mira las fotos de los trabajadores de bodega entregando la queja que pusieron con Cal/OSHA para terminar las peligrosas condiciones de trabajo en una de las bodegas mas importantes sub-contratada por Walmart.

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