California Labor Commissioner Issues Citations for Numerous Labor Law Violations at a Riverside County Warehouse

MIRA LOMA, Calif., Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the California Labor Commissioner conducted an inspection of warehouses in Riverside County where investigators uncovered numerous labor law violations. The warehouses, run by Schneider Logistics, had over 200 employees.  Some of the employees were hired by other entities, including Premier Warehousing Ventures, LLC and Impact Logistics, Inc.  

The California Department of Industrial Relations' (DIR) Division of Labor Standards Enforcement headed by the State Labor Commissioner, Julie A. Su, uncovered multiple potential violations.  

"In California, employers are required to provide basic protections for workers that include payment of at least minimum wage, overtime and workers compensation coverage," said DIR Acting Director Christine Baker. "Our efforts ensure that employers who follow the law have a fair and competitive market to do business in and we will hold accountable those who undercut competition at the expense of their workers."

Impact Logistics, Inc. was issued a $499,000 citation for failure to provide itemized wage statements to employees.  They were also issued a Notice to Discontinue labor law violations for failure to maintain time records.  Premier Warehousing Ventures was issued a Notice to Discontinue reporting time violations and other violations.  "Our investigation is ongoing," said California Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su.  "We will assess all wages owed to the workers and work with the employers to ensure compliance going forward."

"Warehouse workers do some of the most backbreaking jobs in our economy.  Their work is often hidden from public view and there is constant pressure to work faster, which can lead to abuse.  In this case, workers were paid piece rate to unload containers.  Piece rate workers must receive at least minimum wage and overtime for all hours worked," said Labor Commissioner Su. "California law also requires that all employees receive wage statements that explain the basis for their paycheck.  This is to help workers identify if they've been cheated out of their hard-earned wages.  Proper wage statements were not provided to these workers."

Complaints about abuses of warehouse workers, particularly in the Inland Empire area, are not uncommon.  The job of the Labor Commissioner is to ensure compliance with the labor laws of the state.  Labor Commissioner Su continued, "This Administration is committed to meaningful investigations of workplaces to protect employees and those employers who are playing by the rules. Our investigation today confirmed stories of abuses in the warehousing industry that must stop."

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement adjudicates wage claims, investigates discrimination and public works complaints, and enforces state labor law and Industrial Welfare Commission wage orders. To learn more about the functions of the California Labor Commissioner, visit www.dir.ca.gov/dlse.

Employees that have work-related questions or complaints can call the California Workers' Information Hotline at 1-866-924-9757.

CONTACT:
Dean Fryer
Erika Monterroza
(510) 286-1161

Internet: www.dir.ca.gov

SOURCE Dept. of Industrial Relations