Farmworkers on the Move
by Tom Condit
April 15, 1996
Thirty years after the historic "strike in the roses" and the famous Delano grape strike which led to the formation of the United Farm Workers, the UFW is once more moving forward in organizing. Following two years of steady growth in field organizing, the union will launch a major drive in the strawberry fields of the Salinas Valley this April.The strawberry industry in California produces over 80% of all strawberries grown in the United States and 25% of the world's strawberries. This half billion dollar industry supports some of the wealthiest growers while creating poverty and poor health among farm workers. Strawberry work is literally backbreaking. Ten to 12 hour days of stooping to pick strawberries lead to chronic back pain and health problems even among the industry's youngest workers. Strawberry workers also routinely face harassment and humiliation on the job in addition to receiving some of the lowest wages of all agricultural workers.
In addition, strawberry workers are exposed to the hazardous pesticide methyl bromide, one of the major "greenhouse gasses" leading to global warming. Governor Wilson called the legislature into special session to pass a law extending the "study period" on this deadly gas, which was scheduled to be outlawed this year. This means that farm workers will be exposed to this deadly gas and the destruction of the ozone layer will continue in order to ensure profits for a few wealth campaign contributors.
Two Years of Victories
The strawberry drive builds on a new wave of organizing success. In December 1994, the UFW won a major union election in the rose industry, when 1200 out of 1500 workers at Bear Creek Productions voted for the UFW as their representative. Bear Creek is the world's largest rose grower. This was part of a year of organizing in which the UFW gained 3,000 new members and signed 23 new contracts.The victory at Bear Creek, sparked by a management attempt to change hourly rates to piece work, has strengthened the UFW in the grape fields as well. The skilled workers in the roses are in many cases the same ones who move on to prune and tie the grape vines as the season shifts.
Since then the union has launched major organizing drives in the mushroom industry and in the Salinas Valley. Two thirds of the mushroom ranches, including Campbell's Soup and Monterey Mushroom, have been organized. The main fight in mushrooms is also in the Salinas-Watsonville area.
Employer Resistance
Winning elections is only part of the battle. The workers at Ariel Mushrooms voted for the union by 88%, but the employer refused to negotiate. In Ventura County, Dole subsidiary Oceanview Produce Co. fired half its 600 workers after the UFW won an election two years ago, and is also refusing to negotiate. Other growers throughout the state are stonewalling or dragging their feet after union election victories.Meanwhile, a major breakthrough was achieved in October when the giant Washington winery Chateau Ste. Michelle finally signed a contract with the union after years of struggle. Permanent workers got a 5.5% wage increase, while seasonal workers got 6.5%. The new contract also includes health and pension plans and paid vacations.