Hundreds of Fresh Express workers walked off the job in Salinas Tuesday, although the union and company are currently in negotiations and have a no-strike clause in effect.

"I don't know anything about the strike going on because it was not authorized by the union," said Pete Maturino, agricultural director for the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, which represents Fresh Express workers. "It looks like workers walked off the job."

Maturino estimated about 200 workers from the day shift walked off Tuesday. He said around 600 in total could leave their job if the walkout continued.

At Fresh Express' plant in Salinas, workers amassed outside around 2 p.m., saying they have been in negotiations for six months and have not received a contract to their satisfaction.

Ramiro Diaz, who spoke with The Californian by phone from the middle of the walk-out, said the entire plant had walked out, himself included. Diaz expressed dissatisfaction with worker's safety and compensation.

Currently UFCW and Fresh Express are in negotiations and with their current contract, have a no-strike clause in effect, Maturino said.

"By doing what they're doing, they're putting themselves in jeopardy," Maturino said.

In a statement over email, a Fresh Express spokeswoman said the company is actively working with union representatives to bring current negotiations to a conclusion.

"Fresh Express values and respects all of our employees and wants to see their continuing success," the statement said.

"It's unsanitary in there," said Adriana Garcia, who said she worked the night shift at Fresh Express for five years. She said equipment was old and that there is mold on the walls inside the warehouse.

"It's a safety hazard," she said. "That's what everybody's complaining about."

Garcia said she left Fresh Express for a better opportunity and now has more of a work-life balance.

David Rangel, identifying himself as a loader for Fresh Express for 23 years, said he walked out because of unfair and unsafe conditions at work. As a member of the community, he said he feels he has a responsibility to talk about what's going on.

Workers are asking for a $3 raise over three years and safer conditions for workers, but Rangel said the company doesn’t want that. Negotiations have lasted for more than six months, sources said.

“If they crucify me for this, it doesn’t matter,” Rangel said.

In 2017, about 2,000 workers at Taylor Farms walked off the job in a one-day unsanctioned strike for a $2.50 hourly raise, according to Jorge Valenzuela, a Teamsters Local 890 representative.

Teamsters Local 890 was in the middle of negotiations on the workers' behalf at the time of the unsanctioned strike.

Taylor Farms workers then were still under contract and chose to go on strike, ultimately getting a $1.50 increase in the summer of 2017 and another $1 raise in January 2018.

But a sanctioned strike, once a labor contract expires, requires workers voting in support and then an ultimate decision from the union council, Valenzuela said. They legally cannot be fired for striking once this happens.

"If workers go on an unsanctioned strike, they’re risking getting fired and getting terminated because they're pretty much breaking their contract with the company," Valenzuela said.

This story has been updated with additional information.