Join FLOC at Reynolds Shareholders Meeting on May 7th

The Farm Labor Organizing Committee  is continuing the pressure on Reynolds to sign an agreement guaranteeing labor rights to tobacco farm workers. FLOC will have a major presence this year at Reynolds annual Shareholders meeting on Thursday, May 7. FLOC is asking for supporters to attend the shareholders meeting – either with your own share […]

Do you realize what NC farm workers have accomplished?

Some history behind the upcoming RJ Reynolds shareholders meeting, and why you’re needed! By Dave Austin     I’ve recently watched documentaries on the 60s and 70s history of the civil rights movement, like the Freedom Riders campaign… in awe of the courageous organizers, leaders and everyday resisters. But I also felt a sort of […]

Meeting Between Religious Leaders and Reynolds American Tobacco

On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, twelve representatives from the Religious Leaders for Tobacco Farm Worker Justice coalition met with John “Tripp” Wilson and Ronald Wright from Reynolds American Tobacco at Umstead Park United Church of Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina. This meeting was occasioned by a July 2014 letter from religious leaders to Reynolds executives […]

Take Action Now: Sign On Letter to Support Tobacco Farm Workers

Dear NFWM Supporter: For seven years, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), faith leaders and other community activists from coast to coast have pressured Reynolds American to address human rights abuses in their tobacco supply chain. Seven years is far too long to wait for justice!  Tobacco farm workers need to know we stand in […]

Members of British Parliament pledge to support FLOC

For 6 years, the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) has been trying to get tobacco giant Reynolds American to use its power to initiate changes that will improve the lives of tobacco pickers. Reynolds American is the second-largest tobacco company in the United States, manufacturing about one of every three cigarettes sold in the country. […]

Farm Worker Supporters Strong Presence at Reynold’s Shareholders Meeting

Supporters of human rights and justice joined the National Farm Worker Ministry and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Friday May 7, 2010 where Reynolds Tobacco held its annual shareholders meeting.

More than 30 farm worker supporters gained access to the meeting by purchasing a share of the company’s stock or by representing someone, through a proxy, who owned one. These included several NFWM staff and Youth and Young Adult Network (YAYA) members from Florida.

Those inside used the question and answer period to create a dominating presence inside the meeting, giving voice to the real human rights situation for tobacco farm workers in the fields of North Carolina. At the conclusion of the meeting, Rev. Carlton Eversley, President of the Ministers’ Conference of Winston-Salem led the group out singing a civil-rights spiritual.

NFWM Board in North Carolina to Support Tobacco Farm Workers

On Friday August 7th, the Board and Staff of the National Farm Worker Ministry were joined by NFWM supporters and clergy from North Carolina for a day of activities in support of farm workers who toil in tobacco fields, inclulding a moving service held at a tobacco field honoring the sacrifices of farm workers.

Reynolds Tobacco’s 2009 Annual Shareholders Meeting – NOT Business as Ususal!

On May 6th, NFWM, FLOC, farm workers and other allies gathered in Winston Salem, NC for a day of actions during the annual shareholders meeting of Reynolds Tobacco (RAI). We were there to tell Reynolds’ management and shareholders that farm workers are stakeholders too!

The day began with a brief prayer service outside of Reynolds led by Kevin Todd, Duke Divinity Field Education Intern at NFWM NC. Together, they read the Litany, “Give us hope in a new day in which all women and men will know justice, peace, equality, and love; A new day when we will no longer need to gather to STRUGGLE for justice but will gather to CELEBRATE justice.”

Join Us at Reynolds Tobacco Shareholder Meeting – May 6th

The Annual Shareholders Meeting of Reynolds Tobacco (RAI) will be held on Wednesday, May 6 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As these decision-makers for Reynolds Tobacco meet, the National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM), the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) and farm worker supporters will be there to tell Reynolds’ management and shareholders that farm workers are stakeholders too!
JOIN US ON MAY 6TH. FLYER WITH MAP HERE.

For more information about the FLOC/Reynolds Tobacco Campaign, click here.

Campaign News- FLOC RT

Campaign News
FLOC Reynolds Tobacco Campaign

Current Campaign News

RJR CEO Ivey earns $7.9 million in 2007 – a 24% increase – Forbes, March 24, 2008
In 2007, RJR’s parent company, Reynolds American reported earnings of $1.31 billion, or $4.43 per share. Revenue rose to $9.02 billion.
Full article

Nearly 400 FLOC supporters marched in NC, calling on RJ Reynolds to improve conditions in the tobacco fields – October 28, 2007

NFWM’s North Carolina staff provided significant logistical support in planning this successful event. Our director and two board members attended. NFWM is proud to stand with FLOC in this new campaign for farm worker justice in North Carolina. [Photos of event]

Newspaper Articles
Farm union targets RJR -News & Observer, NC – October 27, 2007
Farm workers seek better conditions – Greensboro News Record, NC – October 29, 2007
Calls for Change: Demonstrators march to Reynolds American … – Winston-Salem Journal, NC – October 29, 2007
Tobacco workers urged to rally – Mount Airy News, NC – October 26, 2007
Union That Took On Mount Olive Turns Aim Toward Tobacco Workers – WITN TV – October 28, 2007

Blogs and Other Websites
Huffington Post: A Harvest of Shame Baldemar Velasquez | Posted October 25, 2007 | Politics
Join FLOC in Fighting for Justice for Tobacco Workers, James Parks, AFL-CIO blog October 25, 2007
Justice for Tobacco Workers – by Tula Connell, October 25, 2007
March on R. J. Reynolds for Union Recognition – October 11, 2007

An energetic rally on Monday, September 24, 2007 at Lloyd Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was the first event of FLOC’s new campaign. Workers, community members and people of faith came together from across the state to join the Farm Labor Organizing Committee’s call on RJ Reynolds to address conditions in the tobacco fields of North Carolina. At the event Richard Kortiz spoke about RJ Reynolds tobacco plant workers’ organizing efforts in the 1940’s. More photos (video)

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