HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-00-0155J-99-137
2/10/00
RESOLUTION NO. 0 0_ 15 5
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION
URGING GOYA FOODS OF FLORIDA TO REINSTATE
FOUR FORMER EMPLOYEES, WITH JUST
COMPENSATION, WHO WERE EMPLOYED AT ITS
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PLANT, LOCATED AT
1900 NORTHWEST 92ND AVENUE, MIAMI, FLORIDA
AND WERE TERMINATED BY MANAGEMENT IN RESPONSE
TO PUBLIC STATEMENTS MADE BY THE WORKERS
REGARDING CERTAIN UNSANITARY CONDITIONS; AND
FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT
A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE HEREIN
DESIGNATED OFFICIALS.
WHEREAS, the management of Goya Foods of Florida ("Goya")
has received numerous complaints from its workers regarding the
conditions and workplace hazards at its Miami bean packing
operation; and
WHEREAS, in June 1999, Goya workers filed a formal complaint -
with state and federal officials providing evidence of rodent and
insect infestation.in the Goya warehouse; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the formal complaint, the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services suspended
operation of the Goya bean -packaging because of "unsanitary
equipment" and "evidence of rodent droppings," and further,
ordered the destruction of 900 pounds of insect -contaminated food .
and issued the department's lowest possible inspection rating of
"poor"; and
CITY COMMISSION
MEETING Of
FEB 1 0 2000
Resolution No.
WHEREAS, in July 1999,, Goya terminated three workers who
made public statements regarding the warehouse rodent infestation
and suspended the accounts of a salesperson who made public
statements about a nest of live rats found in a shipment of Goya
products delivered to a retailer; and
WHEREAS, the four employees provided over 53 years of
combined service to Goya; and
WHEREAS, Goya officials at the company's headquarters
rebuffed a delegation of national, state and local elected
officials who attempted ,to meet and discuss reinstatement and
back pay for the four whistleblowers; and
WHEREAS, Humberto Galvez, a City of Miami resident, appeared
before the City Commission on this date to request the City
Commission's support for the reinstatement of the four
whistleblowers and to provide just compensation for the losses
incurred as a result of the actions taken by management in
response to the public statements of the workers;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the
Preamble to this Resolution are hereby adopted by reference
thereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this
Section.
Section 2. Goya Foods of Florida is hereby urged to
reinstate four former employees, with just compensation, who were
employed at its Northwest Miami -Dade County plant, located at
1900 Northwest 92nd Avenue, Miami, Florida, and were terminated
Page 2 of 3 00- X55-
by management in response to public statements made by the
workers regarding certain unsanitary conditions.
Section 3. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit
a copy of this Resolution to the Corporate officers of Goya Foods
of Florida.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor.!/
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 10th day of February , 2000.
JOE CAROLLO, MAYOR
In accordance with Miami Code Sec. 2-36, since the Mayor did not indicate approval of
this legislation by signing it in the designated pl. e provided, said legislation no:,!
becomes effective with the elapse of ten (1A day f om the d f Commis
regarding same, without the Mayor )6erc'sin , to. j
ATTEST:
WALTER J. F EMAN
CITY CLE
APPRO D S TO FORM
t
DRO ARELLO
Y TTORNEY
W4144:RCL:BSS
CORRECTNESS:t/
0
J. Foerr✓City Clerk
i/ If the Mayor does not -.sign this Resolution, it shall become
effective at the end of ten calendar days from the date it was
passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it
shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by
the City Commission.
Page 3 of 3
To Donald Warshaw
City Manager
CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE.
qDISTRICT 4
COMMISSIONER REGALADO
January 28, 2000 FILE
sua.,Ec Discussio ems
FROM :CNZ�%�! REFER ICES
omas Regala
Commissioner ENCLOSURES: V
Please place the following items on the agenda of the City Commission meeting to be
held on February 10, 2000.
1) A report from the City Attorney on the status of the Ad Hoc Committee to investigate
and review community relations during the week of January 3, 2000.
2) A resolution urging Goya Foods of Florida to reinstate four former employees and
provide just compensation.
3) Discussion about providing assistance to the Miami Cultural Foundation in their
attempt to establish an Arts Center for disadvantaged youth in the City of Miami.
4) Discussion about the City of Miami's health plan.
5) Discussion about the operation of NET Channel 9 and the Office of Media Relations.
Cc: Agenda Office
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