Lowe’s: Stop Doing Business with NFI

CEO of Lowe's

Port drivers and warehouse workers are sick and tired of stolen wages and are calling on Lowe’s Home Improvement to stop doing business with NFI. NFI Industries is in violation of Lowe’s Vendor Code of Conduct. The Lowe’s Vendor Code states that “Vendors must fully comply with all applicable national and/or local laws and regulations and Lowe’s policies.” However, the California Labor Commissioner has found in claim after claim filed by NFI port drivers that NFI is in violation of multiple California laws by illegally deducting truck costs from drivers’ paychecks and failing to pay minimum wages for all hours worked. Additionally NFI warehouse workers at the Port of LA have reported retaliation for speaking out concerning safety violations. Lowe’s is a major NFI Industries customer and also is a company that touts sustainability. It’s time for Lowe’s to take action and not allow its contractor NFI Industries to continue breaking the law.

To: CEO of Lowe's
From: [Your Name]

I received this petition from the Justice for Port Drivers campaign. Lowe’s has a Vendor Code of Conduct that claims to ensure that supply chain workers are not abused by contractors of Lowe’s. Yet, port truck drivers and warehouse workers in California report continued violations of the Lowe’s Vendor Code of Conduct. Therefore I’m calling on you to end your relationship with NFI Industries and its subsidiaries AND partner with a high-road contractor that will comply with the Lowe’s Vendor Code of Conduct and respect workers’ rights.

Lowe’s has a long standing business relationship with NFI Industries and its subsidiary California Cartage. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (1) has issued multiple decisions ordering NFI Industries to pay a total of $8.6 million upon investigating wage and hour claims filed by port truck drivers. In addition, Cal OSHA has issued multiple citations against NFI subsidiary Cal Cartage’s warehouse (2) at the Port of Los Angeles for violations including unsafe brakes on forklifts. The Los Angeles City Council (3) and the Los Angeles City Attorney (4) have also taken action against NFI Industries in regards to labor disruptions at the ports and allegations of breaking California Unfair Competition laws.

The Lowe’s Vendor Code states that “Vendors must fully comply with all applicable national and/or local laws and regulations and Lowe’s policies.” It is a shame that a company like Lowe’s, which has stores in my community, would allow one of its vendors to continue to work for Lowe’s even though the vendor is using illegal practices to carry out its work.

I hope that my signature as well as the thousands of others will signify the support that port drivers and warehouse workers have across the United States. I hope that Lowe’s will take immediate action to stop doing business with NFI Industries.

Sincerely,

(1) Summary of Regulatory Action and Litigation with NFI Industries’ subsidiary Cal Cartage https://justiceforportdrivers.org/2019/03/18/regulatory-action-litigation-nfi/
(2) Summary of Regulatory Action and Litigation with NFI Industries’ subsidiary Cal Cartage https://justiceforportdrivers.org/2019/03/18/regulatory-action-litigation-nfi/
(3) “LA Leaders Slam Long Beach Trucking Company for Treating Its Employees Like Crap.” Long Beach Press Telegram. May 8, 2018.
(4) Narayan, Shwanika. “City Attorney Files Lawsuit Against Local Trucking Companies.” Los Angeles Business Journal. January 8, 2018.