There are 900-1000 workers at Apple Tree. All overtime is obligatory . The sewing operators do not receive an overtime premium, earning instead the same standard piece rate. Manual workers can be in the factory up to 69 hours a week . There are no time clocks.
Many workers feel they are being shortchanged three or four hours overtime every two weeks.
Sonia believes she was shortchanged three or four hours of overtime, which the secretary did not record. The 82 cents an hour wage includes the 16.5 hours of overtime pay, the 7th day bonus, and all other incentives. There are 12 sewing lines with approximately 50 workers per line, whose daily production quota is 7000 t- shirts per 8 hour shift. All new employees must undergo two pregnancy tests within the first three months of work, which they pay for. This costs the equivalent of a week s wages.