Former Bashas' Worker Testifies About Workplace Injuries

Washington, D.C. –  A. C. Span, a former Bashas’ worker, testified before the House Committee on Education and Labor today about the under-reporting of workplace injuries and management intimidation practices he witnessed as an employee at a Bashas’ warehouse in Arizona.  Bashas’ is the largest family-owned grocer in Arizona and the 12^th largest employer in the state. 

Span was employed as a baler at a Bashas’ warehouse distribution center.  After three months on the job, Span injured his eye in the warehouse and was penalized for taking time off work to recover from his injury under the company’s point system, which punished warehouse workers for absences and tardiness. 

During the hearing, Span testified that minimal training for new hires and required speeds to do the work created an unsafe work environment, and that certain heavy equipment was poorly maintained.  He also spoke about Bashas’ practice of putting workers who have sustained on-the-job injuries on low-paying light duty jobs, resulting in substantial pay cuts for injured workers, and the monthly raffles the company issued to reward divisions that have not reported any injuries for a month—resulting in peer pressure from co-workers to keep injuries quiet. 

“All these things create an atmosphere where workers do not want to report injuries,” Span said.   “Reporting illnesses or injuries can cause you to be unpopular with your co-workers, get disciplinary points, have your salary reduced and ultimately lose your job.”

Span and other workers decided that forming a union would be the best way to improve workplace safety.  After three unsuccessful attempts to meet with management about safety concerns, they filed a complaint with the Arizona Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  Within weeks, Span and several other workers lost their jobs at Bashas’ due to “outsourcing.”

“We were called troublemakers and told we had bad attitudes,” Span said.  “The message was clear—don’t report, don’t talk, just keep your mouth shut or else.”

Bashas’ anti-union activities have resulted in a complaint issued by the National Labor Relations Board that contains 85 allegations of workers’ rights violations.  For a copy of Span’s testimony, please contact press@ufcw.org.

 Tony Natale, Tribune

An ongoing dispute between the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 99 and Bashas', Inc. attracted more than 100 protestors to the grocery chain's warehouse in Chandler Monday.

VIDEO: Protesters picket at Bashas' in Chandler Monday

The demonstration was tied to César Chávez Day, a state-wide celebration honoring the late Yuma native who formed the United Farm Workers Union.

"My grandfather would be proud of this movement," said Alejandro Chávez, 30, a protestor and the grandson of the UFW founder.

Demonstrators, including members of the East Valley NAACP and Somos America, an Hispanic organization, carried signs saying: "Hungry for Respect," "Workers United Will Never Be Divided," and "No Harassment."

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