Former Fuyao workers detail hazardous conditions to Rep. Khanna

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., convened a roundtable with former employees of Fuyao Glass America in Dayton, Ohio, after the Chinese glass manufacturer refused to comply with a congressional oversight inquiry. The former workers described hazardous work conditions, language barriers with Chinese supervisors, and alleged labor violations during the meeting held at the Industrial Division of the Communications Workers of America headquarters. Khanna, the ranking member on the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, initially requested documents detailing Fuyao's business and labor practices in July. The company's Sept. 23 response, which Khanna noted in an Oct. 1 letter, answered virtually none of the committee's questions and included no document submissions.

Tiffany Moore, who worked at Fuyao for three years before moving to Duramax, a General Motors-owned engine manufacturer, described the heat inside the plant as unbearable. She stated that communication with Chinese supervisors was difficult because they often sent others who might speak English instead of engaging directly. Moore explained that she had to use clandestine measures to leave her position to avoid retaliation, including sneaking out to complete her orientation at Duramax before notifying Fuyao of her departure and requesting her 401(k) release.

Demetria Hodges, another former Fuyao employee who also fled for Duramax, recounted an incident where a Chinese forklift driver struck her. Hodges believed the driver was unlicensed and stated that the company acted as if they did not know who the driver was when she attempted to pursue a lawsuit and workers' compensation claims. Hodges and Moore alleged that Chinese workers were treated worse than American employees, noting that they were not allowed to mix with or communicate with American staff. The former workers claimed Chinese employees were frequently chosen for promotions because Fuyao could pay them less.

Hodges described a practice where Fuyao would bus in new workers from other locations, such as New York, for short periods before rotating them back out. When Hodges mentioned that workers were forced to return to work the day after a factory fire, Khanna asked if they were undocumented. Hodges said she believed undocumented status was why they accepted the conditions. Darrell Jones, another former employee, stated that Fuyao threatened employees with the loss of health insurance if they unionized. Hodges added that the company offered a one-time pay bump of $2 an hour to employees who voted no on a planned unionization referendum.

Jones recalled the circumstances leading to the 2018 death of 57-year-old factory worker Ricky Patterson, who was crushed by glass while attempting to load it onto a forklift without properly securing it. OSHA fined Fuyao $7,000 in an informal settlement for a safety violation linked to Patterson's death. Sam Sanders, president of IUE-CWA's local Dayton chapter, quoted a former employee who said workers ought to expect deaths in that plant.

Khanna told Fox News Digital that he believes America needs new standards for foreign businesses purchasing or building factories in the U.S. He argued that foreign investment must comply with American safety standards, labor neutrality, and anti-discrimination laws. Khanna expressed interest in crafting legislation to reform the process allowing foreign companies to purchase U.S. factories without much oversight and advocated for an industrial development bank to support domestic manufacturing. He noted his disappointment at Fuyao's lack of compliance, stating that legislators need this information to address the issue. Fuyao Glass America and Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. did not respond to requests for comment.