A former Uline employee has spoken out about the company's use of Mexican workers on temporary visas, alleging they were paid lower wages and given heavier workloads than their American counterparts. Christian Valenzuela, 42, said he made multiple trips to the US under a 'shuttle program' that brought workers from Mexico to staff warehouses in Florida, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Valenzuela told the Guardian that Uline paid the Mexican workers their usual Mexican wage, plus a bonus and gas money, and covered accommodation. He said the workers were often given the most physically demanding tasks. 'They always gave us the heaviest work,' he said, adding that he later recognised this as discrimination.
The program used B1 training visas, which are intended for workers receiving training, not for regular employment. Valenzuela provided a letter from Uline to US Customs and Border Protection outlining a 'training schedule' that he said was never followed. 'We were just going to work,' he said.
Valenzuela also alleged that he suffered a permanent disability after a forklift accident at Uline's Wisconsin facility in June 2023. He said another vehicle crashed into him, causing a 'super strong blow' to his left side. Uline declined to comment on the allegations.
The shuttle program reportedly ended in 2024 after the Guardian published an investigation into the practice. Uline is owned by Liz and Richard Uihlein, major donors to Maga Republicans, including JD Vance, who spoke at a Uline facility in December 2024.
