Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
A New Bill Could Crack Down On Warehouse Workers' Job Injuries
A state Assembly bill aim to protect warehouse workers.
(
Kyle Stokes
/
LAist
)
Labor leaders and politicians called on the state Senate Monday to pass a law requiring employers to notify warehouse distribution workers of their expected production quota upon hire or request.
Supporters say that AB 701 would crack down on frequent injury and the practice of denying workers meals or breaks because of these quotas.
Yesenia Barrera, a former Amazon warehouse worker, says she was unable to keep up with boxes coming in quickly at her job. The boxes struck her in the face. A supervisor took her to get a cold washcloth then expected her to resume work.
“I was never asked for a moment if I was okay,” she says. “I wasn't asked if I needed a moment. They just simply sent me off as soon as they could. And I went back into that same position.”
Support for LAist comes from
Ron Herrera, president of the L.A. County Federation of Labor, says workers want the state to crack down on employers that endanger workers and violate their rights in this way.
“They're asking for state enforcement agencies to come out to warehouses and stop the abuses,” Herrera says.
AB 701 has passed the full Assembly and would require the state labor commissioner's office to investigate these violations. It would require the agency to report production quota data on warehouses with an above average rate of injury to the legislature by 2023.
You can read the full bill here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist