A Salinas farmworker who was allegedly fired for complaining about unsafe working conditions has been awarded $17,000 in lost wages, after a settlement was reached between his employers and state regulators.
The worker filed a complaint with the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, or ALRB, alleging that he was fired in retaliation for reporting concerns on behalf of himself and his coworkers that involved a cauliflower harvesting machine that was operating at an unsafe speed, and allegations that workers were not being given cooling breaks during hot weather and workers were not being paid correctly.
Fanciful Company Inc., and D’Arrigo Bros Co., both based in Salinas, resolved the complaint from the ALRB by agreeing to the financial settlement and to rehire the worker, according to a news release from the ALRB.
They further agreed to allow workers to report concerns about unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.
An ALRB representative will go the Salinas farms and inform workers of their rights under the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which gives farmworkers the right to organize and negotiate with employers and be free from coercive or other banned labor practices.
A notice will be posted at the location for 60 days, as part of the settlement.