If you’re a vegetarian or vegan living in the United States, I’m willing to bet you’re at least vaguely familiar with Amy’s Kitchen. Amy’s Kitchen produces tons of organic vegetarian foods, like soups and frozen meals. Amy’s also has several vegan drive-thru restaurants in California. It’s generally regarded as a progressive, forward-minded company, and has actually recently been recognized as a B Corp based on having a workplace geared toward social change in a positive way.
All of this said, NBC News reports that several factory workers at the company’s Santa Rosa plant recently filed a formal complaint against Amy’s Kitchen with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA). The complaint alleges that workers are pushed in a relentless work environment, including not having access to drinkable water or a restroom during shifts.
The complaint, which was filed on Jan. 20 by worker Cecilia Luna Ojeda, alleges that workers have gotten hostility in response to bringing up safety concerns. In addition to not having time or access to the bathroom or clean drinking water, the complaint alleges that workers are not receiving appropriate training for operating machinery, that production lines use unsafe speeds, and that people were not appropriately accommodated after being hurt. The complaint also alleges that fire exits have been locked.
In speaking to local outlet KTVU, worker Ines Delaluz said Amy’s Kitchen pushes “so hard” and that workers want the company to practice what they preach and treat employees “like family.” Delaluz went on to say that she’s been to the doctor and hasn’t received “good news or good hope” that she’ll be like she was before. Delaluz described “a lot of pain in the back” and hands.
Interestingly, Amy’s Kitchen—in spite of its reputation as progressive—is not unionized. Amy’s Kitchen told NBC News it actually does not support a union in its workplace, saying it prefers to have a direct relationship with its employees.
With this in mind, the complaint was written on behalf of Ojeda and several coworkers by Tony Delorio of the Teamsters Local 665 union. That union is trying to organize the plant where Ojeda works.
Chief People Officer Mike Resch of Amy’s Kitchen spoke to NBC News and countered much of the complaint, saying that employees are encouraged to raise safety concerns. Resch also said fire exits are “not locked, period, full stop,” and that if a fire exit is ever blocked, it’s “remedied immediately.”
According to an OSHA database highlighted by SFGate, Amy’s has received eight “serious” labor violations, resulting in the company paying close to $90,000 in fines. The company reportedly contested all violations.
The company has shared its response to NBC’s report as an open letter on its website, describing in part efforts to take care of employees during the pandemic, to provide better access to health care, and to offer scholarships for families.
“This report does not reflect who we are as a company and the values we uphold,” the statement reads in part, adding that the aim has always been for Amy’s to be a “compassionate, people-first workplace. We want all Amy’s employees to feel like they are being taken care of, and we are deeply saddened to hear about the experiences these five employees have described.”
The statement ends by promising to address the report and turn feedback into action. Now, we watch, wait, and support every single worker who speaks out—and their efforts to organize.
You can also check out footage from The Press Democrat where activists and workers rallied for better working conditions and health care.