YOLO COUNTY, Calif. — Six farmworkers say they were fired after leaving a Yolo County job on a hot summer day.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) is now investigating a complaint filed against Ruiz Farm Labor back in June and the United Farm Workers union is standing behind them.
It happened on a 105-degree day. The six farmworkers laboring in tomato fields in Winters decided to go home and call it a day.
"Several of the workers started to experience some of the symptoms of heat stress. One worker was particularly impacted and was actually feeling those really severe warning signs of cold shivers, lack of sweat," said Antonio De Loera, communications director for United Farm Workers.
De Loera works with the United Farm Workers Union and represents the farmworkers.
He says the woman didn't feel comfortable saying anything out of fear of being fired, so another five workers decided to stand with her in solidarity and tell the forewoman they were leaving because of the extreme heat.
The forewoman told them they were within their rights and there wouldn't be an issue. They were surprised by the response the next day.
"When they arrived to work, they found their last checks had been drawn up and they were told that there was no more work for them. They actually asked in that moment, they called the labor contractor, the owner of the labor contract, and asked, basically, 'Why are you firing us?'" De Loera said.
The labor contractor is Ruiz Farm Labor. De Loera says the owner, Conrado Ruiz, told them he didn't have to give them an explanation.
The farmworkers have since filed complaints with Cal/OSHA concerning heat safety violations as well as a retaliation complaint with the California Department of Labor.
ABC10 tried reaching out to both, but the inquiries were not immediately returned.
ABC10 also called Ruiz, the owner of Ruiz Farm Labor, and he confirmed it was him but responded by saying no comment and ended the call.
De Loera says these are the realities farmworkers are facing.
"Every worker outdoors in California has the right to cool drinking water that's accessible and clean, cool drinking temperature, shade adequate enough for every worker present on site to take a rest at the same time and rest breaks that are paid," De Loera said.
The UFW says these laws are in place to protect workers but they do no good if they're not being followed.
"Really speaks to the fact that we need to empower worker's rights. No one's gonna be as good as a defender of worker's rights as the workers themselves," De Loera said.
As the heat continues, the union is also urging the passage of an act that would put the responsibility on the employer, making sure they were in compliance, if a person were to suffer a heat-related injury or death.
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