Rep. Takano Seeks Answers from Olivet Warehouse Regarding Alleged Labor Law Violations

Washington, DC – Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) sent a letter to David Yu, Chief Operating Office of Olivet International, Peter Lin, Corporate Secretary of Olivet International, and Albert Huang, Warehouse Manager of Olivet International seeking answers regarding recent allegations of labor abuses and wrongful termination made by warehouse employees and labor organizations.

 

In the letter, Rep. Takano said, “I am quite concerned to have recently received disturbing reports regarding the treatment, and termination, of workers at the Olivet warehouse in Mira Loma, California.

 

“It is my understanding that federal charges have been filed in the past two months to stop retaliation against workers at your Mira Loma facility. In order to allow me to better understand this situation, I would appreciate answers.”

 

In July, nearly 30 of the 200 workers at Olivet participated in a two-day strike to protest over working conditions and what they said was intimidation, spying, and retaliation for raising concerns.

 

This past Friday, ten of the workers who participated in the strike were suspended indefinitely for taking a five-minute break when temperatures reached more than 90 degrees.

 

Olivet International is a privately held company that designs, manufactures and distributes apparel, luggage and handbags. Their clients include Walmart, Big Lots, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, J.C. Penny, K-Mart, Target, Nordstrom, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Macy’s and more.

 

 

August 27, 2013

 

David Yu, Chief Operating Officer

Peter Lin, Corporate Secretary

Albert Huang, Warehouse Manager

Olivet International

11015 Hopkins St.

Mira Loma, CA 91752

 

Dear Mr. Yu, Mr. Lin and Mr. Huang:

 

I am quite concerned to have recently received disturbing reports regarding the treatment, and termination, of workers at the Olivet warehouse in Mira Loma, California.

 

It is my understanding that federal charges have been filed in the past two months to stop retaliation against workers at your Mira Loma facility. In order to allow me to better understand this situation, I would appreciate answers to the following questions:

 

·         What is the state of working conditions at your Mira Loma facility? What complaints have you received from your employees or inspectors about this facility?

·         What is your response to the five sets of federal charges that have been filed against your Mira Loma facility regarding retaliation against workers who have spoken out about workplace conditions?

·         How has your company responded to the recent strike by 32 workers who are seeking a safer working environment?

·         It is my understanding that ten workers were suspended indefinitely after taking a short break. What are the circumstances surrounding these suspensions, and what is your plan to return these workers to their jobs?

·         What steps does your facility take to protect workers from excessive heat, particularly during these hot summer months?

 

Protecting the safety and wellbeing of hardworking Californians is one of my greatest concerns. I consider the assertion that workers are being required to work through excessive heat, being denied breaks necessary to cool down, and are facing retaliation when raising concerns about working conditions to be very serious charges indeed.

 

Not only do such conditions pose real safety risks for workers, such retaliation is potentially illegal under both California and federal law.

 

I am happy to help arrange a meeting between your staff and your workers to resolve these concerns and put this disagreement in the past.

 

I thank you for your swift and complete response to this letter.

Sincerely,

 

 

Mark Takano

Member of Congress

 

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