Employees of the Mayfield candle factory sues saying company told them they would be fired if they left
Several employees that worked at the candle factory in Mayfield Kentucky that was destroyed from the deadly tornadoes that went through last Friday. One of the lawyers representing the employees called it a “modern day sweatshop.”
In the suit that was filed Tuesday alleges that they were told when the tornado warnings went out if they left they would be fired. The suit also claims several workplace safety violations and multiple cover ups that would protect the company of Mayfield Consumer Products best interest.
According to several representatives of the company, they could have left at any time they wanted too. They also deny all the other allegations against the company.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says his office will fully investigate the situation since 8 people died at work from the tornado.
More than 100 people were working on holiday candle orders when the funnel leveled the facility. The extent of the damage initially stoked fears that scores of workers could be found dead in the rubble.
The company later said many employees who survived left the site and went to homes with no phone service, adding to the confusion over who was unaccounted for.
Since then, all workers have been accounted for, according to state and local officials who have spoken to the company. Louisville Emergency Management Director E.J. Meiman said late Monday that authorities now “have a high level of confidence that nobody is left in this building.”
President Biden toured the area earlier this week and he has pledged full support from the federal government as they continue to recover from the deadly storm.
