U.S. Labor Department Will Increase Enforcement Of Warehouse, Logistics Workers’ Rights

On February 8, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced that it will “take heightened action to ensure that warehouse and logistics workers’ wages and workplace rights are protected.” Specifically, WHD’s new Warehouse and Logistics Worker Initiative will aim to protect the wages and workplace rights of delivery drivers, truck drivers, and other employees by ensuring these workers are:

• Paid minimum and overtime wages;
• Safe from workplace harassment and retaliation;
• Permitted to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act; and
• Not misclassified as independent contractors.

The WHD said it will use education, outreach, and vigorous enforcement to accomplish these goals. It also will identify key stakeholders, such as worker advocacy groups, employers, and employer organizations to help with implementation of the initiative.

According to BNN Bloomberg, the WHD cited a combination of explosive growth, low wages, and the widespread use of contract staff as reasons for the development of the initiative. The agency said it has been conducting an average of more than 70 investigations in the warehouse and logistics sector in recent months, and found violations in about three-quarters of those cases.