Portland plant raid highlights safety, say officials

PORTLAND — An immigration raid at a food processing plant left 167 workers facing possible deportation and highlighted unsafe working conditions that were already the target of a state investigation and a successful lawsuit, officials said Wednesday.

The federal raid at the Fresh Del Monte Produce Co. plant near the Portland shipyards on Tuesday came after state regulators had opened a pair of new investigations into conditions facing workers who process fruits and vegetables. The workers — mostly undocumented — were employed by a subcontractor, immigration officials said.

Kevin Weeks, a spokesman with Oregon's Department of Consumer and Business Services, said the state investigation began after complaints were received on May 14 and a random inspection June 7 generated a second investigation.

"So we've got two active investigations, side-by-side, currently under way," Weeks said.

A Fresh Del Monte Produce spokesman was not able to be reached. The company said in a statement released Wednesday that "Fresh Del Monte is committed to complying with all laws and regulations."

A federal undercover informant's observations at the plant were cited in the search warrant affidavit filed before the raid. Among the observations listed in the affidavit:

• Electrical extension cords were in standing water, supervisors were not diligent about the cleanliness of vegetables before boxing for shipment, and the employee bathroom and cafeteria were "extremely dirty."

• There were about 3 inches of cold water on the production-area floor, where most workers wore sneakers or shoes even though they were supposed to be provided with boots.

• Workers were not paid overtime.

• Shift supervisors were constantly yelling at workers and were "extremely rude."

Fresh Del Monte Produce settled a lawsuit last year for $400,000 after eight former workers accused the food processor and a temporary staffing firm of violating state law by firing them for complaining about safety concerns and by withholding overtime pay, break periods and safety gear.