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[Remember how hot it was last week? It could have been worse for you. Here’s a petition worth considering! — GAD]
Better on the picket line than in line at the ER.
This past week, Walmart warehouse workers in Southern California like me went on strike to demand an end to inhumane working conditions.
Right now, temperatures in Riverside and San Bernardino top 100 degrees daily. And inside Walmart’s metal containers, where we lift heavy boxes, the temperature can get up to 120 degrees. There is little ventilation, and the heat and pollutants we inhale can make us vomit and bleed from the nose.
We have spoken up about these dangerous conditions, but only gotten intense retaliation from our bosses. You can’t speak up, or you’ll get fired. Walmart treats us like we are disposable.
That’s why I started a petition on SignOn.org to Mike Duke, the CEO of Walmart, merely asking him to meet with us. So far he has refused to do so, and he needs to feel pressure from the general public, not just the Walmart workers.
Click here to sign the petition supporting Walmart’s warehouse workers.
My experience is not uncommon in Walmart-contracted warehouses. After five years of lifting heavy boxes every day in the warehouse, my body aches. I am 31. Walking is difficult, lifting my son is nearly impossible, and I frequently have very painful back spasms.
Then I seriously hurt my back, and I had to fight for medical attention. The managers of the warehouse didn’t care about my health or safety. They tried to prevent me from seeing a doctor.
I fought and I won medical care, but I have seen a lot of my coworkers fired for similar injuries. They leave the warehouse hurt, with no job and no healthcare.
Thanks for your support.
–Marta Medina
Sounds like a job for CalOSHA. Have they been contacted?
No idea, but they don’t have a reputation for being especially prompt. It’s also a lot harder and more expensive for them to take on a highly attorneyed-up target like WalMart.
Well, they don’t have a problem showing up at any corporation that I’ve worked for . . .
We absolutely have exposure laws on the books, some of which deal with temperature extremes. If you think your employer is breaking the law and not allowing you adequate rest periods or adequate access to water, CalOSHA will make them do it.
One or two good lawsuits might help!
WalMart is used to being sued. I am sure they budget for it. They call it SlaveMart for a reason!