"Hello, I was redirected to you by the Auburn police department after attempting to report a potential business violation as directed in today's KIRO 7 broadcast. I am writing as a concerned family member of a Showroom employee at Keller Supply, a local plumbing wholesaler with multiple locations in King County, as well as other locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and N.California. Locations in King County include Seattle, Auburn, Kent, Renton, and possibly others. The company is still operating with the majority of their hourly employees coming into work, despite the new edicts on what is considered "essential". I submitted a request for clarification specifically on the Showroom sector of this business (link https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d4c155fa930f4b848f95774d610c9708) and received the following response today, 3/30/20."After reviewing your request, we have determined that your showroom function does not qualify as essential at this time. Please know that we take this decision very seriously. Nonetheless, we believe that the best way to control the spread of COVID-19 is to temporarily limit interaction as much as possible. This is not an indictment on the importance of your business, nor is it permanent.Please also know that you may continue to perform minimum basic operations to a) maintain the value of your inventory, b) preserve the condition of your premises and equipment, c) ensure security, d) process payroll and employee benefits, e) facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences, and f) conduct related functions. Any minimum basic operation must still adhere to the guidelines around social distancing and sanitation referenced in Proclamation 20-25 or any subsequent proclamation related to essential businesses.Please remember to practice social distancing in all your interactions.* Please do not respond to this email because the account is not monitored. The account is used by the Business Response Team with the Washington State Emergency Operations Center only to provide responses to inquiries regarding the intake form you completed. Please visit coronavirus.wa.gov for ongoing guidance.*Proclamation 20-25 does not require anyone to carry documentation or certification proving that they are in compliance. Similarly, no state or local agency will be providing special certification that an activity is essential.Disclaimer. This response is intended only to provide guidance on Proclamation 20-25 and does not grant any other license, certification, or privilege."It is my intent to notify you that though Keller Showrooms are closed to the public for entrance, locations are still open for business by having all showroom employees come into the physical location to field phone calls, attend web-based trainings, and to conduct virtual consultations to potential customers. Some showroom employees have the ability to work from home, but Keller has exempted showroom employees from doing so at this time. In an effort to support the mandates for what is considered "essential" and to limit the unnecessary exposure outside the home to these now at-risk employees, please take the required action to notify the business of the current restrictions regarding "critical infrastructure" work. Attached is a letter provided to staff regarding the company's interpretation of their essential function with a note to contact George DeBell at gwdebell@kellersupply.com, a governing officer of the company, with any questions or concerns.Corporate company information below:Entity name:KELLER SUPPLY CO.Business name:KELLER SUPPLY 99 (3210)Entity type:Profit CorporationUBI #:578-008-629Business ID:001Location ID:0029Location:ActiveLocation address:3210 17TH AVE WSEATTLE WA 98119-1709Mailing address:PO BOX 79014SEATTLE WA 98119-7914" - Doe
The aforementioned complaint was filed by Doe in Auburn, Washington on Tuesday March 31, 2020 with No Agency against Keller Supply Co saying Non-essential business is open. Email address given was coronaessentialinquiry@gmail.com and phone number given was None.