California Fines Amazon $5.9 Million for Warehouse Safety Violations
SAN BERNARDINO, CA (May 19, 2024) — California has fined Amazon $5.9 million, alleging that the company’s demanding work conditions endangered warehouse employees’ safety. The fines stem from two citations issued in May by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, targeting Amazon’s facilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The California Amazon fine includes $1.2 million for a warehouse in Redlands and $4.7 million for a facility in Moreno Valley. The citations claim Amazon violated the state’s Warehouse Quota Law, which requires employers to provide written notice of quotas and potential disciplinary actions for not meeting those quotas.
Labor Commissioner Lilia García-Brower criticized Amazon for creating an environment that pressured workers to meet undisclosed quotas, potentially increasing injury rates and leading to missed breaks. The investigation into Amazon’s practices began in 2022 after complaints from employees about unfair quota practices.
Amazon has disputed the allegations and appealed the citations. Company spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel reportedly stated, “The truth is, we don’t have fixed quotas. At Amazon, individual performance is evaluated over a long period of time, in relation to how the entire site’s team is performing.”
This issue reflects broader concerns about warehouse working conditions, with similar legislation enacted in states like Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington. Recently, U.S. Senator Edward Markey introduced a federal version of the warehouse worker protection act.
If you or a loved one has been affected by unsafe working conditions, contact the experienced labor attorneys at RTM Law Firm. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
