‘Breach of trust,’ Local leaders call on SL Alabama to speak on child labor allegations

Area leaders are calling for SL Alabama to inform the public what it's doing to rebuild trust in the community.

Local economic development and political leaders want SL Alabama to apologize for its behavior in allowing children to work in its Alexander City plant.

The company is accused of  “employing oppressive child labor” in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of the Middle District of Alabama. According to court records, SL Alabama has offered a proposed settlement where it agreed to not hire underage workers, verify the ages of workers hired through a staffing agency and to fire or discipline any managers aware of the use of underage workers.

Cliff Williams is a staff writer for Tallapoosa Publishers.