CAL/OSHA: American Reclamation Guilty of 36 Safety Violations

News provided by

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

May 24, 2012, 07:33 ET

Citations Follow 13 Unfair Labor Practice Charges by NLRB Against Recycling Company

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) cited Los Angeles-based recycling company American Reclamation, Inc. this week for 36 safety violations that put the more than 60 sorters, drivers, helpers and mechanics at risk while on the job.

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Cal/OSHA's citations come closely on the heels of a complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that charged American Reclamation with 13 unfair labor practices (ULPs) in connection with the workers' campaign to join Teamsters Local 396 in Covina, Calif. The complaint, filed on April 30, included three ULPs for wrongful termination of workers by the company.

The 36 citations issued against the company by Cal/OSHA totaled $38,895 in penalties. Within the next week, the NLRB will be filing for immediate reinstatement of the three workers that it determined American Reclamation wrongfully terminated.

"We, as an organization, are fully committed to fighting to make green jobs, like those at American Reclamation, good jobs with strong wages and benefits," said Ron Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 396 and International Trustee. "With the Teamsters supporting them, these 60 workers will not be exploited by American Reclamation."

The organizing campaign at American Reclamation is part of the Don't Waste L.A. effort, a coalition of community, environmental, faith and labor organizations working for clean air, green jobs and recycling for all Angelenos through region-wide standards and accountability in our commercial and multifamily waste and recycling system.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters