$79,200 in child labor violation fines was levied on California grocery chain Superior Grocers Tuesday following an investigation by the US Department of Labor. The investigation discovered over 40 violations by the supermarket, in which 16- and 17-year old employees were being allowed to operate heavy machinery such as scrap-paper-balers, compactors, hoists, forklifts. A spokeswoman for the grocer said that although the fines were less than has been assessed to other companies, they will nevertheless have an impact on the chain, especially in the current economic climate. The Superior Grocers attorney further confirmed that the Santa Fe Springs-based parent company would contest the fines. The grounds for contention have not been discussed.
See "Superior Grocers fined for violating child labor laws", Nathan Olivarez-Giles, Los Angeles Times, January 26, 2010