Warren Mayor Jim Fouts released the following statement regarding ongoing complaints from Art Van employees alleging abuse and threats by the company in violation of guidance from the state and federal government with regard to dealing with the coronavirus:
“Since the announcement by the out-of-state investment group that now owns Art Van, that they were liquating this once highly respected Michigan company, I have been receiving complaints of abuse from workers. Most of these complaints fly in the face of guidance from state and federal authorities designed to stop the spread of coronavirus and I believe puts workers, their families, and Art Van customers at risk of infection. These include limiting each worker to one sick day, forcing workers into workplaces with far above the limit of individuals in contravention of the Governor’s executive order, and threatening employees with immediate termination if they complain or don’t comply with these edicts.” said Warren Mayor Fouts in a statement.
So having already destroyed this great company, these economic vampires are now determined to bleed the last dollar at the expense of the safety of their workers and customers.
Some of the Art Van employee emails and messages sent to Warren Mayor Fouts are below in order to provide a sample of what the Mayor has received in both phone calls and emails. The emphasis is that these employees appear to have been denied basic protections against the coronavirus and have been discouraged if not outright threatened with loss of their job if they either speak out or take more than one sick day. Currently it is difficult to see a doctor for a doctor’s note so this demand rings hollow with Art Van employees.
Many of their calls and emails raise serious questions about whistleblower rights!
Warren Mayor calls for immediate action from Governor Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel to join him to right this situation, and stands ready to assist them in any way he can to protect the workers and the community in Warren and surrounding areas.
Workers’ rights and safety should not be disregarded because equity investment profit appears to be the only criteria.”