2012-01-29
Andrea Woo
Vancouver Sun
WorkSafeBC's review division has rejected an appeal by the Aquilini family over fines levied last year.
Francesco, Roberto and Elisa Aquilini, operating as Geri Partner-ship-Golden Eagle Ranch, were fined $125,402 for safety violations at their berry operation at 15351 Aquilini Ave. in Pitt Meadows.
An inspection in 2010, found vehicles used to transport workers were not "designed, maintained and operated in a safe manner" and were not operated by a properly licensed driver, said a WorkSafeBC inspection report.
Inspections on Sept. 3 and 7, 2010, found the Aquilinis failed to provide workers with "information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure the health and safety of those workers in carrying out their work and to ensure the health and safety of others at the workplace," according to the report.
The two penalties, each for $62,701, were determined based on the payroll and nature of the violations. They can appeal the review division decision, said Donna Freeman of WorkSafeBC.
"The final level of appeal is WCAT - the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal," she said.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/Aquilini+fine+appeal+rejected/6036452/story.html#ixzz1ngWc0L5p
In 2006, J4MW BC visited Golden Eagle farms and reported on abuses committed by managers against Mexican farm workers. It would seem that 6 years later Golden Eagle is still not treating their workers right. It is particularly shamefull given that the Aquilini’s are some of the wealthiest people in BC, and with a high public profile that comes from owning the Canucks.
Below are the links to the Vancouver Sun article and to the letter of protest written by Mexican migrant farm workers at Golden Eagle Farms in 2006
- http://www.justicia4migrantworkers.org/bc/index.htm#letter
Agriculture and horticulture workers, General farm workers, and Harvesting labourers
Documented cases of abuse
Policymakers, Public awareness, Employers, agencies and their representatives, and Unions
British Columbia
Agriculture, Law, Management of human resources, and Political science
English